Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
There was a time in this country's history when the only connection between the job during the day and the family at home was the paycheck at the end of the week.
But that is increasingly not the case as the millennium approaches. Locally, Zimmer Inc. and its parent company, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, have been recognized for the second consecutive year as being on of the 100 most family-friendly companies in the United States.
"If you do things right, you'll get noticed," said David Bronswig, vice president for human relations at Zimmer, of the honor bestowed on BMS by Working Mother magazine. "We're doing it right."
The editors of Working Mother selected the companies based on several criteria: leave for new parents; flexible work arrangements; child care; work/life balance, such as counseling and support groups; advancement opportunities for women; and pay. Also considered were supportive company offerings such as health insurance premiums, availability of time off to care for ill children and on-site amenities.
Some of the programs that served as the basis of BMS' inclusion on the top 100 list are:
• On-site child care centers at two facilities and one other under development. Bronswig said while there are no plans for a Warsaw facility, Zimmer is continually looking at the issue of child care and how the company can help address it.
• "Nutritious Beginnings" infant formula program. Every baby born to a BMS employee in the United States is eligible to receive free Mead Johnson infant formula for one year.
• One week paid paternity leave for new fathers. The company, recognizing the important role a father plays in caring for a newborn baby, recently implemented a policy giving new fathers one week paid paternity leave.
• Adoption expense reimbursement. BMS offers one week paid leave, and either $7,500 reimbursement for adoption of a child with special needs, or $5,000 reimbursement for adoption of a child without special needs.
• Scholarships and tuition reimbursement. In 1998 BMS awarded nearly $400,000 in scholarships to employees' children who are pursuing post-high school academic and vocational education and training. The company also spent $3 million in tuition reimbursement for more than 1,000 employees.
• Resource, consultation and referral services for child, elder, education and adoption issues. Offered free, BMS provides services to employees to help them balance the work/home life issues of child care, elder care, adoption and education.
The company also offers flextime, telecommuting, job-sharing and part-time positions to accommodate the varied business needs of the employees.
"These are just a few of the things we're doing," Bronswig said. "Our goal, both at Zimmer and Bristol-Myers-Squibb, is to be an 'employer of choice.'"
Other programs currently under consideration include a "Summer Hours" program for all non-production employees. Under this program, administrative employees could work an extra hour each day, Monday through Friday, and work only a half day on Friday.
