“I believe that Benchmark’s extensive employee recognition programs contribute to overall culture because people who feel recognized and appreciated tend to recognize and appreciate those around them,” says Tim Reilly, vice president of human resources. “It has a domino effect. Those behaviors elevate the human connection, which is what Benchmark Senior Living is all about.”
care, these nurses shape the overall qual- ity and content of care their community’s seniors receive on a daily basis.” While a large-scale tuition assistance pro-
gram may be beyond the purview of smaller companies, investments in education are scalable and worth considering as an em- ployee development and retention tool. At Benchmark Senior Living, employee
recognition takes on a number of forms, including quarterly performance bonuses, “gratitude grams” or thank you cards as- sociates share with each other, financial re- wards and recognition for service, and refer- ral bonuses for recruiting new residents as well as staff. These programs work together to support the notion that staff are valued and appreciated. On its associates, the com- pany philosophy states, “We trust them to be accountable, reward them for excellence, and respect their voice by providing them with multiple vehicles through which they are heard.” “I believe that Benchmark’s extensive
employee recognition programs contribute to overall culture because people who feel
recognized and appreciated tend to recog- nize and appreciate those around them,” says Tim Reilly, vice president of human resourc- es. “It has a domino effect. Those behaviors elevate the human connection, which is what Benchmark Senior Living is all about.” But there’s one critical Benchmark ben-
efit that employees hope they’ll never need. The One Company Fund, launched in 2008 after the company’s 10-year anniversary, as- sists Benchmark associates in times of ex- treme need and unpredictable hardship. “Associates on every level appreciate
knowing they work for a company that has their back when they have nowhere else to turn,” says Ashley Studley, director of One Company Fund Engagement. “Whether it’s a house fire, sudden illness, car accident, or another emergency, associates know and trust that they can come to us for help.” In early 2015, the One Company Fund
approved a request from an associate at a Benchmark community in Connecticut who had recently received a lung cancer diagno- sis, recalls Studley. As the primary provider for her family, she asked for help with medical
and household expenses while she underwent chemotherapy. One month after receiving as- sistance, she sent a thank note and indicated she was eager to return to work in the spring. “About five months later, we were stunned to learn she had lost her battle with lung cancer. It was such a heartbreaking loss. The One Company Fund stepped in right away and paid for her funeral expenses so her family had one less thing to worry about during such a difficult time.” Even large-scale tragedies have prompted
the fund to spring into action. Following the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, the fund as- sisted Benchmark’s many Haitian associates whose families were affected by the tragedy. When Hurricane Matthew hit the same area in 2016, the fund was there to help again. Benchmark associates are eligible for assistance due to fire, family death, natural disaster, a medical issue, or an accident. The One Company Fund has raised
more than $1 million since inception and has awarded dozens of grants to associates and their families. The program is funded by activities and contests, companywide- sponsored events, and individual donations. “There’s a lot of camaraderie around
the fund,” says Studley. “Associates often advocate for one another and urge their colleagues to apply when they may be re- luctant to do so. Our associates really feel good about giving back to the Fund and raising money to help their colleagues, and potentially themselves, in crises. “A program like this can make such a dif-
ference in your associates’ lives,” she adds. “Whether it’s $100 or $10,000, a grant has the ability to drastically improve somebody’s situation.” And perhaps that’s true of any initia-
tive that supports and enhances company culture. A great idea doesn’t have to cost a fortune to have an impact.
Residents from Holiday Retirement’s Wescourt community conducted a water drive for Flint, Michigan. ISSUE 1 2017 /
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