2010 Best Places to Work in Omaha

What is the Best Places initiative?

Best Places is an annual initiative of Baird Holm LLP and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, which provides an opportunity for employers to learn more about the engagement and satisfaction of their employees through an online employee survey. Research has clearly shown that more engaged employees tend to stay longer, serve customers more effectively, and help drive a more profitable company. For companies who have more than 50 employees, there is an additional opportunity to be recognized as one of the "Best Places to Work in Omaha." This competition will recognize the top five employers in both a 50-250 employee category and a more than 250 employee category. Winners will be publicly recognized at a luncheon event sponsored by Baird Holm as part of the annual Baird Holm Labor Forum. The event will be held at the Qwest Center on May 6, 2010. Previous participants have found the initiative an important way of helping them create a better workplace which, in turn, helps them be more productive.

Who are the sponsors of this program?

Local sponsors for this program are Baird Holm LLP and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

How do I participate?

To participate, please go the following web site:  www.quantumworkplace.com/bestplaces/omaha.  

What information is collected in the survey?

The research for this project is performed by Right Management. To view a sample of the survey, along with how the information is reported, please click on the following link: www.quantumworkplace.com/bestplaces/omaha/demo.

How will survey information be collected?

Employees receive a confidential email inviting them to complete the survey via a secure Web site. It will take less than fifteen minutes for them to complete. Some employees can receive a paper survey if they do not have Internet access.

Can an employee take the survey more than once?

It is important that each employee complete only one survey.  The employee should be encouraged to read each item carefully and respond thoughtfully.  If misconduct is discovered, including evidence that employees have taken the survey more multiple times, the company will be disqualified.

Will my IT staff have to provide any special support so that my employees can participate?

No. Employees simply need Internet access. We find that many participants will also log on at home or another location to complete the surveys. If Internet access is not available, paper surveys can be distributed.

What information will I receive if I participate?

Employers receive the results of their organization as well as comparative information from other participating companies.

Will information from my company be confidential?

Absolutely. Right Management has been serving the business community for over twenty years and has earned a reputation for professional, confidential service.

When will the survey information be collected and when will I receive results?

Survey data will be collected in January 2010 and results will be reported to each company by February. Winners will be publicly recognized at a luncheon event sponsored by Baird Holm that will be part of their annual Labor Forum, to be held May 6, 2010. The event will be held at the Qwest Center.

I don't have 50 employees in my company. Can I still participate?

Certainly. Your company will not be eligible for the two awards that will be offered, but you will still receive reports showing your company results as well as the comparative data from the Omaha area. This is a tremendous value for a small company.

You say this is an annual event?

Absolutely. This will give you an opportunity to get an "annual checkup" to see how your employee survey results compare year-to-year.

Will I know who the other participating companies are, and will other companies know the results of our company?

Only the winners in the medium and large business categories are publicly announced. Employers who are not recognized, are not disclosed. Many companies know they may have concerns around employee satisfaction, but they will use the Best Places initiative as an opportunity to find out where they are and how they can create a better place to work. All participating companies are "winners" if they thoughtfully consider the results of their surveys and take action to move their company forward.

What are the standard fees for participating?

For companies with less than 250 employees the fee is $550.00. For those larger the fee is $800.00. You will receive a $50.00 discount to participate if you are a current member of the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. This does not include participation in the Best Places luncheon, which is approximately $35.00 per person.

Can I buy benchmarking data from other communities and/or from organizations in my industry?

Yes. Additional reports beyond local results are available for an additional fee.

I have additional employees outside of Omaha whom I would like to survey. Can this be done?

Yes. Please contact us to quote a fee to conduct the survey for additional employees beyond the Omaha area.

Sustained Excellence Distinction 

Baird Holm and the Greater Omaha Chamber are delighted to announce an enhancement in the Best Places to Work in Omaha award process. In 2010 we will honor four very special companies who have ranked among the top five employers for at least the past three years. These companies will receive a Sustained Excellence Distinction award for their efforts in creating and maintaining excellent and engaging workplace environments.

In the future, in order to qualify for the Sustained Excellence Distinction award, companies must have ranked in the top five employers for the previous three years. Sustained Excellence Distinction award winning companies may participate in the annual survey but will not be named one of the Best Places to Work in Omaha for that year.

Best Places to Work for the Advancement of Women award

Baird Holm LLP and the Institute for Career Advancement Needs (ICAN) would like to announce a new annual award recognizing a local company that promotes the advancement for women in the workplace as an extension of the Best Places to Work initiative. The award is a reflection of growing concerns about the lack of advancement opportunities for women in the workplace in Nebraska. All companies participating in the Best Places to Work survey will have an opportunity to compete for this new award. The newly created Advancement for Women award will be presented a the 2010 ICAN Women’s Leadership Conference on April 7, 2010 in Omaha.

What are the key dates for this project?

• Event Registration: January 8, 2010
• Online Survey Conducted: January 11 to January 29, 2010
• Survey Results Available: Second week of February 2010
• Advancement of Women Award Presentation: April 7, 2010
• Best Places To Work luncheon at Baird Holm Labor Law Forum: May 6, 2010
   

Additional Questions?

For questions about the event, you may contact either Laurie Pieper at the Chamber, 402-978-7955, or Scott S. Moore at Baird Holm LLP, 402-636-8315. For questions about the survey, you may contact Sue Twit at Right Management Consultants: 402.955.1784.