Best Christian Workplaces Announced for 2010
A research firm released on Tuesday its list of certified best Christian workplaces in the United States and Canada.
The annual survey, conducted by the Best Christian Workplaces Institute, the Christian arm of the organizational and human resources consulting firm Best Workplaces Institute, Inc., identified 30 "great" workplaces with a Christian mission or value in North America.
Organizations listed in the 2010 Certified Best Christian Workplaces in the United States include: Crossroads Church in Cincinnati, Ohio; Dallas Christian College in Dallas, Texas; Joni and Friends in Agoura Hills, Calif.; Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill.; Tacoma Rescue Mission in Tacoma, Wash.; and World Harvest Mission in Jenkintown, Pa.
In Canada, the recognized best Christian workplaces include: Centre Street Church in Calgary, Alberta; Compassion Canada in London, Ontario; and CrossRoads Church in Red Deer County, Alberta.
"Even in an economic crisis, leaders in these Best Christian Workplaces understand the importance of sustaining a healthy environment for their staff," commented Al Lopus, president of BCWI. "It is during these crisis times the needs of the people served by Christian organizations are the greatest."
This year's survey involved 6,700 employees in 62 organizations across North America. In order to be "certified" in the United States or "recognized" in Canada as a Best Christian Workplace, organizations needed to complete the Best Christian Workplaces Institute Employee Engagement survey and meet predetermined standards of excellence.
The survey covers areas such as: job satisfaction, organizational commitment, Christian witness, supervisory effectiveness, work satisfaction, personal growth and development, management effectiveness, customer/supporter satisfaction, teamwork, communications and pay and benefits.
Employees were asked more than 50 questions addressing these topics and responded by rating each statement from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).
"Our research shows that transparent, trustworthy; servant-leadership results in the sustained levels of staff engagement necessary during these difficult times," Lopus said. "I believe these Best Christian Workplaces will be the first to experience the benefits of an improving economy."
Over the past eight years, the Best Christian Workplaces Institute has surveyed more than 90,000 employees across North America.
The Institute says its mission is to equip Christian organizations with effective tools to facilitate organizational effectiveness and encourage practices that build healthy workplaces in order for ministries to fulfill their calling.
The Canadian workplace survey was sponsored by the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.
Complete list of Best Christian Workplaces for 2010: www.bcwinstitute.com