Health Dimensions Group has been honored with a 2011 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for its use of flexibility as an effective workplace strategy to increase business and employee success. This prestigious award, part of the national When Work Works project, recognizes employers of all sizes and types in Minnesota and across the country.

“We recognize and respect our employees’ commitment to their families and personal endeavors,” said Craig Abbott, CEO of Health Dimensions Group. “By fostering a flexible workplace culture, we are able to attract and retain talented professionals who help our business thrive.”

Workplace flexibility—such as flextime, part-time work and compressed work weeks—has been demonstrated to help businesses remain competitive while also benefiting employees.

“Our research consistently finds that employees in effective and flexible workplaces have greater engagement on the job and greater desire to stay with their organization. In addition, they report lower stress levels and better overall health,” states Ellen Galinsky, president of Families and Work Institute (FWI), a research think tank on workforce and workplace trends that administers the awards.

The Sloan Awards are unique for their rigorous, two-step selection process, which involves an evaluation of employers’ flexibility programs and practices, and a confidential employee survey. All applicants are measured against national norms from FWI’s National Study of Employers.

“As a recipient of the 2011 Sloan Award, Health Dimensions Group ranks in the top 20 percent of employers nationally in terms of its programs, policies and culture for creating an effective and flexible workplace,” states Galinsky. “In addition, what makes this honor so special is that their employees have corroborated this, affirming that it is indeed an effective and flexible workplace.”

Health Dimensions Group was recognized as a 2011 Sloan Award recipient at the Minneapolis Marriott Southwest on October 11.