What Does It Take to Be "Best Place to Work"?
Posted by Molly DiBianca On August 5, 2008 In: Employee Engagement , Local , Wellness
Want to know what it takes to be voted best place to work? Ask the healthy employees of Wilmington, Delaware-based internet bank, ING Direct. The healthy-factor is no coincidence. ING takes its employees' wellness very seriously.
The bank has a full-time doctor and nurse in the building for employees' immediate access. And employees can use the company's full-scale gym. Known as The Energy Zone, the gym offers a variety of group fitness classes such as yoga and spinning, and even organizes a running club. For $10 per month, employees can use the gym before, during, and after work--including weekends. The Wellness Center offers weight-loss programs, access to personal trainers and cholesterol monitoring.
According to the respondents, the good stuff doesn't stop at the doors of the Wellness Center, though. 81% think they have a great physical work environment. And 85% feel their benefits package is good compared to others in their industry. 92% said they are proud to work for ING and 81% said they are motivated to give their best. 86% believe in the mission and the strategy--reporting that they feel that the company is moving in the right direction.
The bank is known for doing things its own way, which has turned out to be a very effective way for ING. Since it opened in 2000, the bank has grown to more than 6.8 million account holders. All without a single branch. ING also prides itself in treating all of its 1,108 employees equally. Instead of formal titles, employees work in a certain department--where managers sit in cubicles next to their direct reports.
Innovation is working for ING--and for its healthy employees.
