Rosen Named a Best Place to Work by Orlando Business Journal

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. October 14, 2008

APRIL 26, 2007. Orlando Business Journal has named Rosen Hotels & Resorts one of the top 20 Best Places to Work in Central Florida. The award recognizes the company's achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of benefits, working conditions, and company culture.

The Orlando-based Rosen Hotels & Resorts, which owns and operates seven hotels and one golf course in Central Florida, was one of 125 companies to enter, making the top 20 list based on the strength of its benefits, programs and employee evaluations.

"Our culture is really based on respect and the golden rule, whether it is how we provide service or how we ensure that we are providing a work environment and benefits that our associates want. We really are a family of associates, " said Jonni Kimberly, Human Resource Director, Rosen Hotels & Resorts. "We entered the awards program because we think our culture is unique in how we encourage open communication, value and celebrate family and give back to the community that we live in. We are all very proud to be part of the 'Rosen' Family, and we are pleased to be a winner of this award."

Associates and their families are incredibly important to Rosen Hotels & Resorts. The company offers its close to 5,000 associates unique programs including child care subsidy (for associates who qualify) and paid dependent tuition to a Florida public university, community college, or vo-tech after parents have worked for the company for three years. The associate's tuition is paid for after five years' with the company.

Rosen associates enjoy incredible medical benefits including an on-site primary care facility that is part of a paid into insurance program. Co-pays are extremely reasonable at $5 per visit for primary care at the medical office and no co-pay for pediatric primary care. Prescription co-pays are as low as $5. The company also offers an annual health fair for associates and their families to receive free flu shots and sponsors an at-work Weight Watchers program. Families are also invited to annual events including a holiday festival and a spring carnival, both with entertainment, food and festivities.

It's no surprise that Rosen is known for longevity among associates. As an example, two servers having been with the Quality Inn International before Harris Rosen purchased the hotel and stayed on with the company for 34 years. In fact, more than 2,500 associates have been with Rosen Hotels for more than three years, which is unusual in the high turnover hospitality industry. Associates are honored each year with an anniversary luncheon celebrating not only the company's anniversary, but also significant employment milestones among the associates. The company also honors associates through a program called Golden Pillar Awards, where associates are nominated by their peers and recognized for outstanding service. Finally, a very popular benefit is the Shares of Success, where bonuses are paid to full-time associates based on their length of service.

"Employees are proud to work for companies that are about more than business," said Cindy Barth, Orlando Business Journal editor. "And, the results show how creating the right work environment can create powerful business advantages."

According to Barth, companies were evaluated on two kinds of information collected. Each completed an overall questionnaire about retirement plans, health insurance, profit sharing, or stock options, performance-based reviews, employee training, paternity leave, and perks such as parking, child care, subsidized transportation or tuition reimbursement.

Ten or more employees then responded to questionnaires, addressing pride in the company; whether and how the company encourages, supports and recognizes achievement; open communication; whether compensation is fair; relationships with co-workers and immediate supervisors. They were also asked to describe their favorite and least favorite things about the company, and comment further if desired.

The results were analyzed and scored by assigning points to each question, and weighing them according to emphasis on creativity, flexibility, and collegiality. Common themes among the top companies focused on work-life balance; respect and caring for employees; recognition of accomplishments; feeling empowered; good teamwork and team spirit; and commitment to community service.

"The best places to work are companies that don't cut back their commitment to employees in a down economy, while asking them to work harder and smarter," said OBJ publisher Ann Sonntag. "They want to recognize employees as their best asset, instrumental in maintaining the quality and reputation for services and products. It's a smart-and winning- business strategy."

"We work at being open and innovative," said Kimberly. "and we're proud to be recognized by Orlando Business Journal for our efforts, by being named one of the top 20 Best Places to Work in Central Florida.