News from Business Council of New York State

For more information contact: Michael Moran, 518-465-7511

NYS-Society for Human Resource Management & Business Council of NYS

Accepting Nominations for the 2nd Annual “Best Companies to Work for in New York”

ALBANY, NY (07/21/2008; 1318)(readMedia)-- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Barry Manus (914) 289-0951

New York-July 21, 2008- Following up on a successful inaugural year, The NYS SHRM announces the kick off of the second annual "Best Companies to Work for in New York" program. NYS SHRM is also pleased to announce the addition of The Business Council of New York State as a program partner to endorse and help grow the program.

"We are happy to join the effort to identify and recognize New York's best employers," says Business Council President and CEO, Kenneth Adams.

The second year of The Best Companies NY program marks the next step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence throughout all New York companies.

"We were very pleased with the first year of the program and are even more pleased that the Business Council has joined as a partner in this effort," says Barry Manus, NYS-SHRM's Chair of the "Best Companies to Work for in New York" initiative. "Programs such as these will help attract talented employees who will want to remain with these companies. It's really an integral part of New York's strategy to compete in the global business marketplace."

The assessment process, administered by Best Companies Group (BCG), will be conducted in early October at all companies who have registered to participate in New York. The results of the scientifically validated survey will incorporate a company's employee policies and procedures as well as responses from BCG's Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey given to the company's employees. BCG manages over 30 similar programs across the US and in Canada.

The program also helps companies first hand even if they don't make the list. An "Employee Feedback Report" is presented to each participating company to provide summarized feedback from the engagement survey and significant state-wide benchmark. This information will help each company understand their own culture.

Any company with at least 15 employees in the state of New York is encouraged to participate. Companies selected as a "Best Company" will be announced at a gala event in April of 2009. A complete list of top companies will be featured in the "Best Companies to Work for in New York" publication which is distributed state-wide.

Winners can expect increased press visibility, not to mention a positive effect on employee morale, employee relations and recruitment.

Interested companies can register to participate in the program online at www.BestCompaniesNY.com. The deadline for registration is September 19 and all registered companies will be surveyed simultaneously following the deadline date. The web site also contains complete details about the program and the list of winning companies form last year.