At KEYGroup we are proud to recognize local people or organizations that exemplify the attributes of Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organizations.

The “Steel Heart Award” for January 2007 goes to…

Pittsburgh Accounting Firm Alpern Rosenthal for Giving Flexibility to Working Parents

Modern life is stressful enough, especially for those who are trying to raise children while working full time. A recent study by Catalyst, a New York-based research organization, found that 35% of all employees struggle with childcare concerns and workplace demands, contributing to an estimated $50 billion to $300 billion in lost productivity each year. Among the employees surveyed, 75% said their concerns about childcare issues were greatly reduced when their employers allowed them flexible scheduling, a policy that puts Alpern Rosenthal well ahead of most employers.

The 45-year-old, Pittsburgh-based accounting firm allows its employees to custom tailor their work time to accommodate after-school needs and summer schedules. It’s not uncommon for many of their 160 plus employees to maintain a working-week of three or four days following tax season. Even during tax season employees are permitted to work from home at times to allow for parental obligations. Some of Alpern Employees tailor their working hours around their children’s school day, working from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., according to an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (“Employers benefit by offering flexibility to workers with kids home alone,” by Joyce Gannon, 12/6/2006).

Vibrant Entrepreneurial Organizations (VEOs) must have employees that can operate at exceptional levels of productivity in order for the company to remain competitive. At the same time, a VEO recognizes that employees also need a healthy work-life balance to stay productive. By giving staff members the flexibility to deal with their children’s needs, they not only reduce their employee’s stress load, they also gain a much deeper sense of loyalty and dedication from their people.

So, hats off to Alpern Rosenthal for helping their employees to have one less stressor, in true VEO fashion.

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