Applications Underway for 2016 Employer of Choice Award

AGAWAM — The Employers Assoc. of the NorthEast (EANE) is currently accepting applications for the Employer of Choice award, which recognizes companies and organizations for developing workplaces that value employees, build engagement, invest in training, and reward performance. Applications are due June 24.

Employers from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island who have been in business for at least three years and have a minimum of 25 employees are eligible. Both company size and resources are considered in the screening and selection process. Awards are given in two categories: manufacturing and non-manufacturing.

Winners view the Employer of Choice award as a cornerstone of their company credentials and often use it in recruiting and retention, grants and funding, and business development. Winners receive a professional video that spotlights the company’s achievements and is customized to reflect the organization’s targeted initiatives.

In 2015, three area businesses were selected as Employer of Choice Award recipients: Bemis Associates Inc., Big Y Foods Inc. and Cadence Inc.

“We were thrilled to see our applicants focus on employee engagement, often implementing surveys and translating the findings to mission-vision-culture strategies,” said Meredith Wise, EANE president. “Traditional benefits such as tuition reimbursement were still strong, but contemporary offerings from wellness to flexible scheduling to community service were widespread, too. We look forward to learning about more outstanding companies in 2016.”

Learn more and download the 2016 application at eane.org/employerofchoice.