2010 Choice Employers, 301+ Employees No. 1: St. John's Health System

St. John’s Health System has 9,141 full- and part-time employees. With an overall score of 113, the company posted strong scores particularly in people development and fostering a family-friendly environment. The health system provides tuition reimbursement for work-related continuing education, and dedicates more than 60 hours a year per employee to formal training. St. John’s also pays more than half of premiums for employee and dependent health insurance. Other benefits include on-site child care, college savings plans and scholarships/tuition assistance for employees’ children.

Human Resources Manager Christopher Bos answers SBJ’s questions:
 

How would you describe your company’s culture?
St. John’s culture is rooted in our mission statement: “As the Sisters of Mercy before us, we bring to life the healing ministry of Jesus through our compassionated care and exceptional service.” St. John’s Health System is a faith-based, not-for-profit health care ministry. We (have) achieved recognition because of the lived-out expression of faith by our co-workers. (We are) a health ministry blessed with individuals who see their work as much more than a job, and this has created a culture where works of kindness and compassion are the daily norm.

Beyond financial compensation, what benefits are most important to your staff?
The obvious answer here is related to benefit programs such as health, dental, life insurance, retirement programs and paid time off. … There are other benefit programs our co-workers support and participate in that support the culture at St. John’s (such as) the co-worker crisis fund. Since 1985, St. John’s has supported a co-worker crisis fund to provide financial support to co-workers in times of need. Since its inception, the crisis fund has provided more than $1 million in assistance.

What methods do you use to involve employees in benefit decisions?
With more than 10,000 co-workers and 500 physicians in a health system with one main hospital, five regional hospitals and 75 clinic locations, co-worker involvement can be challenging. St. John’s (takes) a very proactive communication approach. The first, most vital link is with the direct managers. Management forums are held monthly with senior leadership to share information. In addition, semiannual town hall meetings are held by senior management.

How does your company support professional development?
St. John’s assists co-workers in discovering and developing their talents in a variety of ways. These opportunities include School at Work, Medical Explorers, Middle College and the Base Program. Co-workers can challenge themselves professionally at St. John’s (through program opportunities with the American Medical Association, Nurse Lecture Series and Unlicensed Assistant Program.

What makes your company a family-friendly employer?
Family is so vital to St. John’s that a co-worker service department was created to enhance our ability to assist co-workers and their families. This department coordinates volleyball teams, softball teams, fishing tournaments, golf tournaments, etc. for families to participate. The annual co-worker picnic has been known to draw more than 15,000 co-workers and their families. A co-worker concierge was created to assist co-workers and their families with outside activities such as dry cleaning and oil changes.

Just for Fun
If there were no limitations – budget or otherwise – what benefit would you begin offering employees tomorrow?
It would be fabulous if we could begin offering George Jetson-type transportation to all co-workers to and from work. This would, of course, have to include Astro the dog in each ride for pet therapy.[[In-content Ad]]