Harvard University Places in Boston Business Journal's 2nd Annual Best Places to Work in Massachusetts

Boston Business Journal has named Harvard University one of the top fifty Best Places to Work in Massachusetts, in its second annual statewide awards program. The award recognizes the company's achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of benefits, working conditions and company culture.

Harvard was one of 150 companies to enter, making the top 50 list based on the strength of its benefits and programs and employee evaluations.

"The company is very proud of its employees," said Polly Price, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, "and we're proud to be a winner of this award."

"For the second year in a row, our results validate how the creation of the right work environment can create powerful business advantages," said George Donnelly, Boston Business Journal editor.

Donnelly continued, "Employees are proud to work for companies that are about more than just business."

The top fifty companies will be profiled in a special supplement of the Boston Business Journal issued on May 28th, and will be entitled to use the 2004 seal in advertising and public relations outreach.

A gala breakfast will be held on Thursday, May 27th to announce the top ten companies on the list.

The awards program was launched in March by the Boston Business Journal in a direct mailing to over 3,000 human resource managers across the state, e-mail and fax announcements, phone calls, as well as advertisements in the paper and on the web site.

Companies were evaluated on two kinds of information collected. Each completed a questionnaire about retirement plans, health insurance, profit sharing or stock options, performance-based reviews, employee training, paternity leave, and perks such as parking, child care, subsidized transportation or tuition reimbursement.

Ten or more employees then answered questionnaires that addressed such factors as their pride in the company, company encouragement, support and recognition of achievement, and relationships with coworkers and supervisors.

Other questions asked about favorite and least favorite things about the company.

The results were analyzed and scored by assigning points to each question.

"Accommodating employees' personal needs pays back dividends of loyalty and productivity," noted BBJ publisher Mike Olivieri. "The companies on our list recognized that the commitment to employees is especially important in a down economy."

Olivieri continued, "The top fifty best places to work are all winners because they acknowledged that the care of their employees is instrumental in maintaining the quality and reputation for services and products."

We strive to be open and innovative," said Polly Price, Associate Vice President of Human Resources, "and we are proud to be recognized by the area's leading business journal as one of the top fifty Best Places to Work in Massachusetts."