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Capital Business and AWE are partnering together to provide editorial content for Capital Business’ new weekly feature, “Life at Work”. Each week Capital Business will be profiling an innovative program offered to employees by award winning companies. Check back each week to read all about what’s new in HR.

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2013

05/13/2013—Employees enjoy perks and free rooms when they travel. At each of its properties around the country, Hyatt selects an employee of the year. The winners get an all-expenses paid trip to share with their immediate family to any destination in the United States where Hyatt has a property. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/hyatt-employees-enjoy-perks-when-they-travel/2013/05/10/fb113fde-b347-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html

How one office got healthier together. PCRM has an office policy mandating that only vegan food may be eaten in its office. The organization, which advocates for healthy eating, preventive medicine and ethical clinical research, is so committed to the rule that it notifies prospective employees of the policy when they receive an offer letter for a job. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/a-vegan-office-how-one-workplace-has-moved-to-get-healthier-together/2013/05/12/1ad895c6-b28d-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html

05/07/2013—Staffers have backup child- and elder-care options. PNC provides its employees with subsidized backup child care for days when one’s normal routine falls through. PNC also offers backup elder care for employees who might need it for a parent or other relative. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/pnc-staffers-have-backup-child--and-elder-care-options/2013/05/02/1bd126c6-b271-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html

04/29/2013—Scavenger hunts build camaraderie. American Chemical Society staffers say scavenger hunts help build an engaged workforce. Participants are intentionally put into teams with co-workers they don’t often work with so it becomes an opportunity to get better acquainted. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-american-chemical-society-employees-let-loose-with-a-madcap-scavenger-hunt/2013/04/26/7b201f46-ac4b-11e2-b6fd-ba6f5f26d70e_story.html

04/22/2013—This law firm picks up the tab for law school. Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, a law firm that specializes in patent and trademark work, has a generous reimbursement program that covers 100 percent of staffers’ law school tuition. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-finnegan-a-generous-tuition-reimbursement-program/2013/04/19/3978c1f8-a122-11e2-9c03-6952ff305f35_story.html

04/15/2013—MorganFranklin employees spend time in the classroom. Once a year the McLean-based firm that specializes in finance management and technology solutions takes over North Springfield Elementary for a full day to teach children about finance, business and economics. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/morganfranklin-staffers-take-a-break-from-consulting-to-go-into-the-classroom/2013/04/10/6aa5825c-9e2f-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_story.html

04/08/2013—Studley’s top employees get an annual opportunity for a big adventure. Each year about 80 employees from the real estate services firm’s offices across the country go on excursions that the company organizes for its senior leaders and top-performing employees. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-studley-an-annual-opportunity-for-a-big-adventure/2013/04/04/8e8a5bc0-9b96-11e2-9a79-eb5280c81c63_story.html

04/01/2013—Walker & Dunlop employees get vacation rewards. After 10 years with the company, employees are given one extra week of vacation time and $7,000 to spend. After 20 years, employees get $14,000 and two extra weeks of vacation time. If someone logs 30 years, he or she gets $20,000 and three extra weeks of vacation time. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-at-walker-and-dunlop-long-time-employees-get-special-vacation-rewards/2013/03/28/ed8111a6-9618-11e2-8b4e-0b56f26f28de_story.html

03/25/2013—At Marstel-Day, employees take Earth Day seriously. Since the policy was put in place eight years ago, Marstel-Day staffers have taken on a wide variety of projects, including planting trees, building rain barrels and creating walking trails. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-at-marstel-day-employees-take-earth-day-seriously/2013/03/22/9e9817d6-9016-11e2-9cfd-36d6c9b5d7ad_story.html

03/18/2013—At Sodexo, exercise is the first item on agenda at team meetings. The tradition was born when a group of staffers decided that the 88-person team, all of whom work from home offices, needed a jolt to their mostly inactive workdays. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-sodexo-building-exercise-into-weekly-conference-calls/2013/03/14/85e829f4-8b40-11e2-9f54-f3fdd70acad2_story.html

03/11/2013—At Matrix Group, a spare room is used as a space for children to play. The Web development and design firm’s “kids room” is not meant to be used as a regular child care option, but rather as backup if, say, a babysitter gets sick or a summer camp session gets canceled. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-matrix-group-a-designated-space-for-staffers-children/2013/03/07/e5cd527c-85c3-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

03/04/2013—There’s a new perk for KEYW workers every quarter. Hanover-based KEYW has decided to get creative when it comes to retaining and rewarding its employees. The company began a program last year in which it offers a quarterly perk for all employees, one that changes each go-around to keep things fresh. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/keyws-quarterly-perks-are-aimed-at-retaining-staffers/2013/03/01/55b39d1c-7b6a-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story.html

02/25/2013—At Carnegie, Scientists’ Lunch Club is a tradition. The club has made lunchtime a favorite setting for bonding with co-workers and batting around ideas with the scientists in other disciplines. The club is open to any of the geophysicists, geochemists, astronomers and other scientists who work at the organization’s campus in the Chevy Chase neighborhood of Washington. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/scientists-lunch-club-has-become-favorite-setting-for-research-brainstorming/2013/02/22/77de884c-7aa3-11e2-9a75-dab0201670da_story.html

02/18/2013—Employees take a break with in-office recitals. Employees at Wolf Trap Foundation for the Preforming Arts spend their days bringing arts performances and education programs to their community. But once a week during the summer months, the entertainment comes to them. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-wolf-trap-employees-take-a-break-with-in-office-music-recitals/2013/02/13/33ffb5e0-71fe-11e2-8b8d-e0b59a1b8e2a_story.html

02/11/2013—World WildLife Fund workers get every other Friday off. Every other Friday, the typical hustle and bustle at the World Wildlife Fund’s Washington office comes to a halt. The organization closes its’ doors for one day every other week, a schedule that helps it meet dual goals of conservation and work-life balance. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/world-wildlife-fund-aims-for-conservation-and-work-life-balance-with-panda-fridays/2013/02/08/42303b1e-6bb2-11e2-bd36-c0fe61a205f6_story.html

02/04/2013—Team Building happens outside the office at IT firm. At Hanover-based Tek Systems, the approach to employee rewards is a highly democratic one. The information technology staffing firm foots the bill for a quarterly outing for its employees, and leasers leave it up to their teams to determine what the activity will be. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-tek-systems-team-building-happens-outside-the-office/2013/02/01/c0bc6282-6b08-11e2-af53-7b2b2a7510a8_story.html

01/21/2013—At Ernst & Young, a chance to help with conservation. Only 30 candidates are accepted each year to go on one of three trips to Brazil or Costa Rica. Participants are trained by Earthwatch’s scientists and then gather information to help the researchers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-ernst-and-young-a-chance-for-a-free-trip-abroad-to-support-conservation/2013/01/25/d41177f4-64d3-11e2-85f5-a8a9228e55e7_story.html

01/21/2013—At D.C. company, Wednesday night events are a chance for collaboration. Once a month, employees of District-based consulting firm AtSite stay late at the office to crank up some music, duke it out in table tennis matches and enjoy a catered dinner on the company’s tab. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/atsites-late-night-wednesdays-are-a-chance-for-creative-collaboration/2013/01/18/604733ec-5e9b-11e2-90a0-73c8343c6d61_story.html

01/14/2013—Sandy Spring Bank matches employees’ volunteer work with cash donations. When employees at Sandy Spring Bank volunteer for 50 hours in their communities, the company supports that commitment by kicking in a $200 contribution on its own. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-sandy-spring-bank-volunteerism-is-rewarded/2013/01/09/bf67df88-58d4-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story.html

01/07/2013—Housekeepers at Kimpton Hotels have own Olympics. Every fall, housekeepers at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants gear up for a big battle. The vacuum cleaners, bed sheets and towels they deftly wield, fold and distribute each day become apparatus in an annual showdown known as the Housekeeping Olympics. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-kimpton-hotels-employees-bond-through-housekeeping-olympics/2013/01/04/3a212b2c-535c-11e2-bf3e-76c0a789346f_story.html

2012

12/31/2012—At WiserTogether, employees get their birthdays off. Shub Debgupta, chief executive of the health care analytics and strategy company, said he started offering the perk last year and that it has been popular so far with his employees. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-wisertogether-birthdays-are-holidays/2012/12/28/d17b54ce-4f84-11e2-950a-7863a013264b_story.html

12/24/2012—At Scottrade, points for good work can add up to TV, piano. Through a Web-based program called “Get Invested,” employees can reward each other for doing an exceptional job in categories such as team work, customer service or learning and development. Employees are able to bank the points throughout the year and cash them in for a wide variety of items, ranging from screwdrivers and photo frames to flat screen televisions, refrigerators and even grand pianos. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-scottrade-points-for-good-work-can-be-cashed-in-for-big-ticket-items/2012/12/19/28032f52-4534-11e2-9648-a2c323a991d6_story.html

12/10/2012—Consulting firm offers employees a beach house prize. The president of District-based management consulting firm, The Clearing, turns over his shore house to a top-performing employee and his or her guests for a weekend twice a year. To win the prize, an employee can be nominated by any co-worker, including a boss, a subordinate or even a peer. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-the-clearing-a-weekend-stay-at-a-beach-house-for-top-performing-employees/2012/12/07/ccc9584a-3d5f-11e2-bca3-aadc9b7e29c5_story.html

12/03/2012—Employees at local retirement community are eligible for free literacy tutoring. To help them succeed on the job, Asbury Methodist Village, a retirement community in Gaithersburg, offers free English tutoring to its workers. The coaching takes place on campus, making it easy for employees to attend their lessons. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/employees-at-local-retirement-community-are-eligible-for-free-literacy-tutoring/2012/11/30/204d6ebc-3265-11e2-9cfa-e41bac906cc9_story.html

11/26/2012—At software and consulting company referral bonuses aren’t just for employees. At CollabraSpace, the human resource team has found personal referrals to be its most valuable tool for hiring. To motivate employees to keep good recommendations coming, they offer a generous referral bonus of $10,000. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-collabraspace-referral-bonuses-arent-just-for-employees/2012/11/21/ca40372a-2e90-11e2-89d4-040c9330702a_story.html

11/19/2012—Company offers free MBA program to some employees. Qiagen, which is based in Hilden, Germany, selects 20 top-performing employees a year to participate in a two-year MBA program. Employees continue to work full-time, but are able to obtain their degrees through a combination of distance-learning activities and regular trips to Germany. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/qiagen-offers-free-mba-degree-program-to-top-performing-employees/2012/11/14/f846520e-2dc7-11e2-89d4-040c9330702a_story.html

11/12/2012—For employees and their families, a deal on auto leases and free car insurance. Volkswagen employees can lease a new Volkswagen or Audi vehicle every six to 12 months for a cost equal to 1.5 percent of the retail price. The company not only pays for registration and maintenance expenses, it also covers the cost of car insurance. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/for-volkswagen-employees-and-their-families-a-deal-on-auto-leases-and-free-car-insurance/2012/11/08/97f91746-2850-11e2-bab2-eda299503684_story.html

10/29/2012—A way to beat Tysons holiday traffic? In order to make it easier for staffers to get home earlier at this busy time of year, the wealth management firm Cassaday & Co. began an early release day program in 2006. Now that’s a perk! http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-cassaday-early-release-days-help-workers-beat-holiday-shopping-traffic/2012/10/26/8aa146b8-1eb4-11e2-9cd5-b55c38388962_story.html

10/22/2012—Investment firm lets employees invest in nonprofits. At Calvert Investments, leaders have sought to create an office culture that values social responsibility and volunteerism. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-calvert-investments-workers-get-time-off-to-do-volunteer-and-charity-work/2012/10/19/bf2b318c-1860-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_story.html

10/15/2012—BDO offers workers flexibility with schedule, location. BDO Flex began five years ago to answer employees needs for a more flexible work schedule. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-bdo-usa-flexible-work-program-allows-for-range-of-varied-schedules/2012/10/12/ea5595b2-0e58-11e2-bd1a-b868e65d57eb_story.html

10/08/2012—At recruitment firm, appreciation is something bubbly. At Tangent, a District-based recruitment firm, employees say there is typically a buzz of excitement around the office on the day before Thanksgiving. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-tangent-champagne-is-used-to-thank-employees/2012/10/05/5ef69a6e-0c93-11e2-bd1a-b868e65d57eb_story.html

09/24/2012—At DMI, grilling contests foster friendly competition. The Bethesda consulting firm’s “Tech Chef” event lets employees duke it out for cooking supremacy. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/dmi-uses-grilling-contest-to-foster-friendly-competition-among-staffers/2012/09/20/bd3bc86e-fc0e-11e1-8adc-499661afe377_story.html

09/10/2012—Rand project superintendents work long, odd hours at demanding jobs. After 10 years working for Rand, the superintendants are rewarded with a weeklong Caribbean cruise. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/rand-construction-workers-can-get-caribbean-cruises/2012/09/07/fd178cee-f52d-11e1-a126-fc5f423715b5_story.html

09/03/2012—For Smithsonian workers, a discount that helps with holiday shopping and eating lunch. The Smithsonian gift shops aren’t the only place where employees enjoy reduced prices. The 20 percent discount is also good at all the museums’ restaurants. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/2012/08/31/95e36f1c-f054-11e1-adc6-87dfa8eff430_story.html

08/27/2012—At Wegmans’s grocery chain, employees get help with college costs. Through the company’s college scholarship program part-time workers are eligible to receive $1,500 a year for 4 years wile full time workers can get $2,200 a year for 4 years. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/wegmans-offers-college-scholarships-to-employees/2012/08/24/981b66d0-ebc8-11e1-9ddc-340d5efb1e9c_story.html

08/20/2012—ImmixGroup adds ‘busy season’ benefits. ImmixGroup is a McLean-based firm that facilitates business between technology companies and the government. Sept. 30 marks the end of the fiscal year for federal agencies, and ImmixGroup receives a deluge of under-the-wire orders immediately preceding the deadline. The increased workload means unusually long hours for employees, and so ImmixGroup adds a host of “busy season” benefits to make late nights at the office more tolerable. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/immixgroup-adds-busy-season-benefits/2012/08/19/338f75b8-e708-11e1-936a-b801f1abab19_story.html

08/13/2012—Bright Horizons has center to help with workers’ well-being. Is a happy worker a productive worker? Dan Henry, the chief human resources officer for Bright Horizons, thinks so. There are close ties between an employee’s well-being and his or her job performance, Henry said, and that’s why he set out to get a better understanding of the personal factors that were causing stress for his firm’s workers. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/2012/08/09/5fe71932-e16c-11e1-98e7-89d659f9c106_story.html

08/06/2012—CustomInk theT-shirt design firm feeds employees breakfast and lunch. When a CustomInk employee dashes out of the house on a Monday morning without eating breakfast, they know they’ve got nothing to worry about. When she arrives at her office at CustomInk, a free meal will be waiting for her. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/t-shirt-design-firm-feeds-employees-breakfast-and-lunch/2012/08/03/3e1bdcd8-dbd7-11e1-af1d-753c613ff6d8_story.html

07/30/2012—CarMax employees get discounts on their vehicles. CarMax, the national chain of dealerships, gives employees and their families $500 off any new or used car. Interested buyers can log on to the company’s Web site, find what they’re looking for and have the vehicle transferred to a location near them. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/carmax-employees-get-discounts-on-their-vehicles/2012/07/29/gJQAqK93IX_story.html

07/23/2012—Emirates airline employment comes with cheap flights. Emirates gives employees and their immediate family members discounts up to 90% on standby tickets, and half-price fares for confirmed seats. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/emirates-airlines-employment-comes-with-cheap-flights/2012/07/20/gJQAh4T52W_story.html

07/16/2012—Appian goes for the unconventional when hiring. We believe in hiring aptitude,” Matt Calkins chief executive said. “It’s far more important to us than experience.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/unconventional-interviews-lead-to-a-better-company-appian-says/2012/07/13/gJQACK8tmW_story.html

07/09/2012—At Camden Property Trust, an employee discount at home and away. The apartment management company gives full-time employees a 20 percent break on its apartments that employees can use for themselves or pass on to their parents or children. (Part-time employees receive 10 percent discounts.) http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-camden-a-discount-at-home--and-away/2012/07/06/gJQARnLoWW_story.html

07/02/2012—On-site wine bars keep employees satisfied at DPR. Chardonnay or merlot? At DPR Construction, the workplace comes with a wine bar. DPR counts “enjoyment” as one of its four core values (the other are “integrity,” “uniqueness” and “ever forward”). http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/2012/06/28/gJQAzzfjGW_story.html

06/25/2012—At Whole Foods, a ‘Survivor’-like ritual. Annoyed with a colleague? At Whole Foods Market, you can vote them off the island – or rather, out of the company. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-whole-foods-a-survivor-like-ritual/2012/06/22/gJQAl9pC0V_story.html

06/18/2012—Local company’s rewards: Tickets to sporting events. Mosaic Data Services rewards employees with tickets to sporting events. At least a couple of times every quarter, the company hands out tickets to Capitals, Redskins and Nationals games to high-performing employees. Sometimes the company adds Oriole tickets or yacht trips to the mix. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/local-firms-rewards-tickets-to-sporting-events/2012/06/15/gJQAU3HjjV_story.html

06/11/2012—Fridays are child’s play at MicroPact in Herdon, VA. The tradition — a grass roots effort by parents at the company — started about three months ago, following what Dietrich calls a 2011 baby boom at the software firm. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/fridays-are-childs-play-at-one-herndon-firm/2012/06/08/gJQAebFNTV_story.html

06/04/2012—WRIT employees tone up with on-site boot camp. The Rockville-based real estate investment trust has been hiring personal trainers to offer boot camp sessions — a mix of weight training and cardio workouts — to its employees at its headquarters for about a year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/writ-employees-tone-up-with-on-site-boot-camp/2012/06/01/gJQAHkr7BV_story.html

05/28/2012—PR firm SpeakerBox lets its workers leave early every other Friday. Summer Hours are a huge perk at this McLean Office. The McLean-based public relations firm allows employees to leave work four hours early every other Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/2012/05/25/gJQA3nS3uU_story.html

05/21/2012—PricewaterhouseCoopers connects moms-to-be with moms-already. The London-based firm also allows parents — both mothers and fathers — to leave the company for as many as five years to be with their children. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/pricewaterhousecoopers-connects-moms-to-be-with-moms-already/2012/05/16/gIQAXZkVdU_story.html

05/14/2012—Life at work: 9-to-5 with a bit of salsa. Wellness Corporate Solutions takes employees dancing, hiking. One Friday a month, employees at the Cabin John company take the afternoon off for an outing. Activities have ranged from ballroom dancing to a basketball challenge to hiking the Billy Goat trail. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-9-to-5-with-a-bit-of-salsa/2012/05/11/gIQAbNNvMU_story.html

05/07/2012—CoStar keeps a stash of Segways for employees. The Segways, which the company began using about two years ago, are part of a broader push toward sustainable transportation. The company has four electric car-charging stations in its parking garage, and offers free shuttles to and from Metro Center every morning and evening. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/costar-keeps-a-stash-of-segways-for-employees/2012/05/04/gIQA8fEK6T_story.html

04/30/2012—Chaney Enterprises employees get half off their insurance by taking a physical. Chaney Enterprises, a concrete supplier based in Waldorf, has been offering its wellness program to employees for about four years. Approximately 90 percent of employees take part, according to the company’s benefits coordinator. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/chaney-enterprises-employees-get-half-off-their-insurance-by-taking-a-physical/2012/04/27/gIQAzRzGqT_story.html

04/23/2012—Company offers jobs, support for injured veterans. SRA International, an information technology firm, in Arlington VA, helps wounded warriors transition from the military to a career. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/company-offers-jobs-support-for-injured-veterans/2012/04/20/gIQAFi2TaT_story.html

04/16/2012—Firm rewards workers with action figures. At Decision Lens, an Arlington VA based software development company rewards high-performing employees with action figures in their own likeness. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/firm-rewards-workers-with-action-figures/2012/04/13/gIQAMyGtJT_story.html

04/09/2012—Verizon Wireless offers on-site university classes. Forget going to school. At Verizon Wireless, the university comes to you. Verizon Wireless in partnership with Strayer University offers classes to their employees right at the office. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/verizon-wireless-offers-on-site-university-classes/2012/04/06/gIQADNId4S_story.html

04/02/2012—Luck of the draw could land you a two-week vacation at one area company. Every month Motley Fool randomly selects one lucky employee and sends them on a two week all expenses paid holiday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/luck-of-the-draw-could-land-you-a-two-week-vacation-at-one-area-company/2012/03/30/gIQAFGJilS_story.html

03/26/2012—Employees get chocolate to mark anniversaries. Germantown company Hughes Network Systems marks anniversaries with chocolate. Each year employees at Hughes Network Systems receive a delicious chocolate bar, in a lovely, gold box for their anniversary with the company. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/company-celebrates-anniversaries-with-chocolate/2012/03/14/gIQABohSaS_story.html

03/19/2012—Non-profit provides seven weeks of leave, paid sabbaticals. A job you love and seven weeks annual vacation. Read all about how Miriam’s Kitchen gives their employees seven weeks of annual leave. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/non-profit-provides-seven-weeks-of-leave-paid-sabbaticals/2012/02/29/gIQAJCqeLS_story.html

03/12/2012—At Human Genome Sciences, monthly massages for employees. Like the idea of a monthly massage to ease your tensions? At Human Genome Sciences, in Rockville MD, massages are available every month to employees. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-human-genome-sciences-monthly-massages-for-employees/2012/02/28/gIQAPsmL5R_story.html

03/05/2012—Need a vacation? Just work for JBS International for 15 years and as a thank you receive a trip of a lifetime. The IT consulting firm gives employees two round-trip tickets to any destination of their choosing after they have been at the company for 15 years. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/after-15-years-firm-gives-employees-two-round-trip-tickets/2012/02/21/gIQALywrqR_story.html

02/27/2012—Have a sick dog? Company’s pet insurance can help. IntelliDyne in Falls Church, VA offers health insurance for employees, for domestic partners, for kids, and for pets. The firm recognizes that pets are part of the family too and insurance can help keep pet care costs down. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/have-a-sick-dog-companys-pet-insurance-can-help/2012/02/16/gIQA0JKMcR_story.html

02/21/2012—Casual Fridays are charitable at one Rockville firm. Chevo Consulting has a unique approach to casual Friday -- since late 2010, the Rockville company has been allowing employees to wear jeans on Fridays — but only if they donate $1 to charity. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/casual-fridays-are-charitable-at-one-rockville-firm/2012/02/10/gIQAuDh1NR_story.html

02/13/12—Firm’s wedding gift to employees: An extra week off. Getting married? You should be working at Corporate Network Services, where employees who are getting married, are given an additional week off to use to prepare for or unwind from their wedding festivities. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/firms-wedding-gift-to-employees-an-extra-week-off/2012/02/01/gIQAxEmR9Q_story.html?sub=AR

02/06/12—At one Rockville company, Fridays are sunny side up. Optimal Networks, in Rockville, MD, starts every Friday with a company breakfast cooked by the COO. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, fruit and coffee are prepared in the large company kitchen for all to enjoy. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-one-rockville-company-fridays-are-sunny-side-up/2012/01/12/gIQAFG39rQ_story.html

01/30/12—Honest Tea sends quarterly snack boxes to workers. Honest Tea supplies quarterly snack boxes to all their employees so they will always have a healthy snack option while they are working. It’s company policy to provide all the same perks and benefits for their Bethesda based and field employees. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/honest-tea-sends-quarterly-snack-boxes-to-workers/2012/01/10/gIQAyoblaQ_story.html

01/23/12—$25,000 loans to cover down payments and closing costs for employees. Employees at the Consumer Electronics Association may receive $25,000 towards the down payment and closing costs of a new home if they purchase that home in Arlington, VA. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-her-employer-helped-with-the-house/2012/01/10/gIQAs106IQ_story.html

01/16/12—How to welcome new employees? InTec gives gift baskets to families of new employees. The government contracting firm has been welcoming new employees and their families with gift baskets since its founding seven years ago. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/intec-gives-gift-bask ets-to-families-of-new-employees/2012/01/10/gIQAdvPU1P_story.html

01/09/12—KPMG’s has their own daily deals Web site and it offers terrific deals. The daily deals are an extension of a more traditional employee discount program. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-at-this-company-the-dealmaking-gets-personal/2012/01/03/gIQAqgzqjP_story.html

01/02/12—At Near Infinity, gift-giving goes beyond the holidays. Near Infinity, a Reston-based software development company, gives managers $100 to spend on each employee every year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-near-infinity-gift-giving-goes-beyond-the-holidays/2011/12/21/gIQAclbeUP_story.html

2011

12/26/11—Bethesda company offers unlimited time off. Unlimited Vacation Days: WeddingWire’s employees no longer need to stock pile vacation time and sick leave.http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/bethesda-company-offers-unlimited-time-off/2011/12/12/gIQAq6qUHP_story.html

12/12/11—Life at work: After 25 years at Marriott, a free room — and sometimes breakfast. After 25 years at Marriott employees are eligible for free hotel rooms, forever. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/after-25-years-at-marriott-a-free-room--and-sometimes-breakfast/2011/12/01/gIQA8u3bnO_story.html

12/05/11—Life at work: At CapitalSource, the boss picks up the lunch tab everyday. Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch anymore? For the staff at Capital Source, every day includes a free lunch. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-capitalsource-the-boss-picks-up-the-lunch-tab-everyday/2011/12/01/gIQA7jFITO_story.html

11/28/11—Life at work: Feeling frazzled? Take a day and shop. The Mental Health Association of Montgomery County gives employees time off for holiday shopping as a way to relieve stress. Read all about this innovative and easy employee perk. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-feeling- frazzled-take-a-day-and-shop/2011/11/14/gIQA0muN2N_story.html

11/21/11—Life at work: At one area office, dogs and rats are all in a day’s work. At The Humane Society of the United States’ office in Gaithersburg MD, it's okay to bring your pet dog, cat, guinea pig or even your rats to work. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-one-office-dogs-and-rats-are-all-in-a-days-work/2011/11/14/gIQA8RT1eN_story.html

11/14/11—Life at work: At NetApp, gratitude comes hand-written. In this day and age of electronic and impersonal communications, a hand written thank you note makes a huge impression. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/at-netapp-gratitude-comes-hand-written/2011/11/08/gIQA0neMIN_story.html

11/07/11—Life at work: Going the extra mile for employees who walk to work. Who needs a car? Workers at Calvert Investments in Bethesda are rewarded with using alternate transportation to get to work? Walkers receive an annual shoe stipend. Bikers receive a generous contribution towards a bike and mass transit riders are reimbursed for their Metro and bus rides. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/going-the-extra-mile-for-employees-who-walk-to-work/2011/10/31/gIQAm28BtM_story.html

10/31/11—Life at work: A Halloween parade and day care at the office. Daycare at the office keeps kids close at hand. Read how Discovery Communication’s, Discovery Kids Place childcare center provides daycare for infants and youngsters right in the same building as mom and dad giving families opportunities to see each other during the work day. Page 25: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-a-halloween-parade-and-day-care-at-the-office/2011/10/27/gIQA4MS7WM_story.html

10/23/11—Life at work: Consulting firm rewards employees with vacations. Need a vacation? Booz Allen Hamilton rewards employees who reflect the company’s values, including client services, teamwork, and fairness with an all expenses paid 4 day holiday. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/consulting-firm-rewards-employees-with-vacations/2011/10/20/gIQAaEAGAM_story.html

10/06/11—Life at work: Employees help company turn office into green haven. Read all about Transportation Management Services' 2,000 square foot green roof, the cascading flowers in their building's main entrance and the vegetable seedlings growing in cups on sunny window sills in this week's Capital Business. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-the-greening-of-an-office/2011/10/13/gIQAVLL9oL_story.html

10/09/11—Life at work: Giving up the plastic utensils. Capital Business profiles the American Speech-Language-Hearing Associations commitment to being a green workplace with an article on how they replaced disposable cutlery for stainless steel. http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/life-at-work-giving-up-the-plastic-utensils/2011/10/06/gIQAb60fYL_story.html

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