SYRACUSE, N.Y., Feb. 2, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Anaren, Inc. (Nasdaq:ANEN) announced today that its Anaren Microwave facility (East Syracuse, NY) has been recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in New York. From among hundreds of applicants, the Best Companies winners list is comprised of 40 companies split into two groups: 25 small/mid-sized companies (15-249 employees) and 15 large companies (250 or more employees). Anaren was notified on December 28 that it is among the top 15 large companies and will learn its specific ranking at an award ceremony at the Albany Marriott on April 21, 2010.
A multi-year initiative to motivate companies in the New York State to focus on, measure, and move their workplace environments toward excellence, the Best Companies competition is a jointly sponsored and operated initiative of The Best Companies Group, The New York State Society of Human Resource Managers (an affiliate of the national Society of Human Resource Managers), The Business Council of New York State, and presenting sponsors Right Management and Jackson/Lewis.
"We are enormously proud to have our workforce-friendly approach to operating our company recognized with this prestigious award," said Amy Tewksbury, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Anaren. "Especially at this time of considerable economic strain for both employers and our country's workforce." Tewksbury added: "More importantly, we're happy that employees validated our approach through the voluntary survey, through which they told us they feel respected, appreciated, and well-rewarded here at Anaren."
According to the Great Companies Group, the assessment which forms the basis for the competition is a "two-part process designed to gather detailed data about each participating company." One part (worth 25% of a company's score) is a comprehensive questionnaire completed by the participating company's human resources team: The questionnaire captures tangible data such as compensation packages and health benefits offered, as well as intangible aspects of workforce practices such as corporate culture and family-friendly policies.
In the second portion of the assessment (worth 75% of the score), employees of the company complete a voluntary and confidential employee survey, in order to add the actual workers' perspective on a given company's policies. The collected information from the two instruments are then "combined to produce a detailed set of data enabling the analysts to determine the strengths and opportunities of the participating companies" and determine if a company ranks among the 40 winners.
An additional benefit to participating companies is an Employee Feedback Report, which summarizes each company's employee surveys and may be used for self-assessments and to guide improvements to policies and practices.
"We'll be looking hard at the survey report for ways to improve our employee practices even more," says Tewksbury. She also indicated the company will be using the newly won Best Company credential in company recruitment efforts, and added that "the company will be hosting an internal celebration to thank employees for helping Anaren earn this honor ... without them, Anaren wouldn't be such a great place to work."
ABOUT ANAREN: An innovative leader in microwave and RF technology, Anaren designs and manufactures complex components and subsystems for defense, satellite, wireless, and consumer electronics markets. To learn more, visit www.anaren.com
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ABOUT THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN NEW YORK: The Best Companies to Work for in New York (www.bestcompaniesny.com) is a program developed by The New York State Society for Human Resource Management (NYS-SHRM) State Council, in conjunction with Best Companies Group and the Business Council of New York State. Now in its third year, the program is a multi-year initiative to motivate companies in the Empire State to focus, measure, and move their workplace environments towards excellence.
There are approximately 535,000 businesses in the state of New York, many of which endeavor to establish workplace environments that foster positive employee relations and a good work/life balance approach to managing the workforce. Among hundreds of companies who enter the Best Companies program, forty companies are ranked and recognized under the program each year for their outstanding human resource practices; the rankings fall into three categories based on size: Small-sized companies (15-24 employees), Medium-sized companies (25-249 employees), and Large-sized Companies (250 employees or more).
Entrants that earn a Best Companies ranking are given an award at a gala dinner and awards presentation (for 2009 winners, this event will be held at the Albany Marriott on April 21, 2010). Additionally, rankings are published in a special event publication and sent statewide to thousands of organizations as well as dozens of college and university career placement offices.
The Best Companies to Work for in New York logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6981
ABOUT THE NEW YORK SOCIETY OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: The New York SHRM organization consists of 17 local chapters throughout the state, with a membership of approximately 16,000 human resources and business professionals across all industries; visit www.nysshrm.org to learn more. The New York SHRM is also an affiliate of the national SHRM, whose website can be found at www.shrm.org