Congratulations to the 2021 Family-Friendly Workplace Award Recipients

(Stark and Carroll Counties, OH) September 23, 2021 – On October 19, United Way of Greater Stark County’s Women United will virtually present H-P Products, Kent State University at Stark, and Pathway Caring for Children with the Family-Friendly Workplace Awards for 2021.

The event will also feature panelists who will focus on the importance of having family-friendly practices in the workplace and solutions that can reduce turnover and improve the retention of employees. Work and family responsibilities are inextricably linked for most employees and family-friendly policies help employees more easily fulfill both obligations. Family-friendly policies benefit employers, families and society and are proven, cost-effective solutions for reducing turnover, improving employee morale and commitment, as well as improving the quality of life.

Pam Cook, Host of Canton’s Morning News and Content & News Director at WHBC will be moderating the panel and speakers/panelists include Amy Mast, President of Talent Results Consulting and Chair of United Way of Greater Stark County Women United Steering Committee; Rebecca Kuzma, Chief Operating Officer Strengthening Stark; Susan Olivera, Senior VP Human Resources Aultman Health Foundation and Member of United Way of Greater Stark County Economic Mobility Collaborative; Robin Seemann, United Way of Greater Stark County Director of Prosperity@Work.

“In this ever-changing market, colleague recruitment and retention are a top priority for most businesses,” says Susan Olivera, Senior VP Human Resources Aultman Health Foundation and Member of United Way of Greater Stark County Economic Mobility Collaborative. “In addition to the normal business pressures, the COVID pandemic is posing additional retention challenges that are being felt by both companies and individuals everywhere. Join us, October 19, and learn how Aultman Health Foundation’s partnership with United Way’s Prosperity at Work program has helped our leadership team better care for our colleagues, both inside and outside of work by connecting our workforce with community-wide resources that offer stability to our team today and prosperity to our tomorrow.”

2021 Family-Friendly Workplace Award recipients and their policies:

H-P Products: Not required to work over 9 hours a day and no work on Sundays, Prosperity@Work partners for non-work-related barriers, free on-site health clinic, family event policy, Paid Time Off & Vacation Buy Program.

Kent State University at Stark: Tuition waiver, flexible work arrangements, Wellness Program with rewards, Flashes Food Pantry and Telecommuting.

Pathway Caring for Children: Work from home, Paid Time Off, Family Holiday Parties, and online trainings and meetings.

Please feel free to contact previous award recipients to learn more, adopt similar policies, and to advocate and change our community for the better: 2020: Synchrony Financial, Buckeye State Credit Union, Massillon Museum; 2019: MAC Trailer, CommQuest Services and The Karcher Group; 2018: Employers Health, TimkenSteel and Schauer Group; 2017: Aultman Health Foundation and Domestic Violence Project.

The fifth-annual event will take place on online and pre-registration is required. Learn more at uwstark.org/family-friendly

About Women United
In each community they serve, Women United tackles the issues that matter most to the people who call it home. They are a community of like-minded women who contribute their personal passions, inspired ideas, and unique strengths to the mission of building stronger communities. They create opportu­nities to network and collaborate with key business and community leaders at exclusive events. Learn more about the key issues impacting our community, advocate at the local and state level and become part of meaningful, global progress with Women United. Advocate for key community issues at the local and state level. More information is available at uwstark.org/women-united

About United Way of Greater Stark County
For nearly 100 years, United Way of Greater Stark County has served Stark and Carroll Counties. During that time, we have continued to build a better, equitable community where every person has the potential for a healthier life, a better education and more financial stability. We look to the future through our investment priorities, which ensure our community will have the foundation it needs to thrive: Access to Health, Childhood Success, Youth Success, Economic Mobility and Basic Housing Needs. With the support of volunteers, community partners and donors, we invest donor dollars efficiently and effectively into local community programs serving the most critical needs. Learn more at uwstark.org .