HVBF Monthly Meeting - Human Resources Roundtable
Thursday, September 6, 2001, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

Host:

JMT Engineering

Attending:

Joe Biglin ,BreakAway Games
Eileen Edwards ,KCI Technologies, Inc
Jan Albert-Elliott, Community College of Baltimore County
Susan Fine, PDP Group
Alan Grace, Insignia Miller
Pat Kilroy, Systems Alliance
Joan Levin, Medical Mutual Liability Insurance Society of Maryland
Sharon Markley, JMT Engineering
Mary Louise Montague, O’Conor, Piper & Flynn, ERA
Shirley K. Tyler, Right Management
Rick Webb, Atlantic Financial Federal Credit Union

Our discussion topic today was “Balancing Work /Home Life”.

The focus of discussion was on the ways we make employees feel comfortable at work. This includes the work atmosphere, activities planned and non-traditional benefits.

Joe Biglin told us that the creative nature of his business called for a relaxed atmosphere not confined by rules. There is no dress code, no regular hours and few restrictions. The marriage of this non-restrictive atmosphere with the creativeness of his workers and their work product results in virtually no turnover. Focus is based on the successful completion of projects in any way the worker chooses.

Sharon Markley uses a different approach because of the professional and formal nature of their work and their workers. They personalize the workplace through non-traditional benefits. In many cases they facilitate personal services such as arranging dry cleaning services as a convenience to employees. 

At PDP Group, Susan Fine uses relaxed rules, a casual environment and consideration for life outside of work.

KCI Technologies uses a leave bank to allow employees to manage their own leave time. They have also developed a bank where leave time can be donated to other employees who have special needs. Eileen told us that “Kids to Word Day” attracts as many as sixty children for a day of activities at work. This includes finding out what Mom and Dad really do and dunking the C.E.O. 

Shirley Tyler relates that Right Management closes at noon the day before a holiday and at 4:00 P.M. on Fridays in the summer time. 

We discussed flex-hours. The consensus was that it doesn’t work for all companies because of customer service requirements.

Susan Fine took a few minutes to tell us about Roundtable topics for 2002 that have been identified and asked for other suggestions. These included an emphasis workforce development.

Shirley Tyler reminded us that anyone may post job needs on Right Management’s website by emailing Shirley at Shirley.tyler@right.com

Our next meeting of the Roundtable will be on Thursday, October 4 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.. Our host will be the Community College of Baltimore County. Our topic will be “Reward and Recognition Programs”. Please advise me if you will attend by return email at director@hvbf.org. Identify the date of the event.

This summary will also appear on our website www.hvbf.org under Events.