University Earns Governor’s Work-Life Balance Award

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The University of Arkansas was recognized as a “family-friendly” workplace for the eighth consecutive year, receiving a gold award in the “Large Companies” category of the Governor’s Work-Life Balance Awards. The awards were announced Monday, May 10, during a luncheon at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock.

Seventeen Arkansas employers received awards in the eighth annual ceremony. Award winners were chosen by the Governor’s Work-Life Initiative, whose mission is to recognize Arkansas employers for establishing and providing resources that support employees in balancing the needs of both work and family.

Gov. Mike Beebe presented the awards. This is the second year in a row that the University of Arkansas has received the gold award.

“We are very proud to be recognized for the programs and services we offer our employees to help them balance the responsibilities of their personal and professional lives,” said Debbie McLoud interim associate vice chancellor for human resources. “Our faculty and staff are key to the work we do, empowering students to fulfill their potential, which in turn contributes to the greater good of the state of Arkansas. Our employees make a difference in the world; we want to take good care of them.”

Companies nominated for the awards were asked to provide information regarding health benefits, work-time options, childcare assistance and other human resources policies. If a company did not have formal work-life policies, informal ways of making the work environment as family-friendly as possible were considered.

Partners in the initiative are Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Arkansas Business Publication Group, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Child Care Resource and Referral Network, and the Society of Human Resource Managers. The following state offices and agencies are also partners in the initiative: the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, the Department of Education, the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Workforce Education, the Department of Health, the Arkansas Head Start Collaboration, the Department of Human Services (DHS) Arkansas Early Childhood Commission, DHS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, DHS Division of County Operations, and the Office of the Governor.