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4 B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K 2 0 2 1 Letter from Best Companies Group W hile many businesses have re- bounded from their 2020 lows this year, there's no question that 2021 brought its own unique set of challenges. The ups and downs of the pandemic this year have coincided with a tightening labor market, new concerns about mental health and, most recently, concerns about the supply chain. Against that backdrop, it makes this year's list of "Best Places to Work in Maine" all the more impressive! Our firm, Best Companies Group, was proud and honored for the 16 th consecu- tive year to be the research company for this program. (Based in Harrisburg, PA, Best Companies has a dedicated team of researchers, project managers and program coordinators who work together to create a data-driven list of top employ- ers.) Simply put, this year's winners are being honored for creating companies where their people enjoy coming to work, whether in person or remotely. So how does a company earn a spot on this list? All applicants participate in a two-part assessment process where 25% of the evaluation is based on your list of benefits and the cool, creative things being done for employees. The remaining 75% of the evaluation is derived from the employee engagement survey. To recognize workplace great- ness credibly, we ask the employees directly and anonymously what they thinkāand more specifically, what statements they agree with in regards to company benefits, culture, etc. As in previous years, the winners were more likely than peers to provide the following: Make employees eligible for health care coverage within the first 30 days on the job; provide time off for volunteer work or community service activities; provide programs or facilities to promote exercise and fitness; and provide full or partially paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, to name a few. Employees at winning organizations gave their companies higher marks for trustwor- thiness, providing recognition, manag- ing staff, communicating department goals and changes, and rewarding a job well done. All companies that applied received their Insights Report Package, which is a detailed account of the data we collected, including the anonymous employee feedback data, the "Best" benchmarks, and the anonymous em- ployee comments. So, even if an orga- nization applied and did not make it, the report provided a valuable status report on the engagement of their staff. As a result of this remarkable work, these winners' brands as employers are getting stronger! Relative to their peer groups, winning companies are better positioned to win the increas- ingly tough battle for talent, to enjoy higher retention, and to attract more highly qualified job candidates. Congratulations again to all of our winners. Check out www.BestPlaces ToWorkME.com for details about the 2022 program! Registration will be open in January. Adam Reinebach CEO, Best Companies Group As a result of this remarkable work, these winners' brands as employers are getting stronger! Relative to their peer groups, winning companies are better positioned to win the increasingly tough battle for talent, to enjoy higher retention, and to attract more highly qualified job candidates. KMA is honored to sponsor Best Places to Work in Maine Resounding congratulations to all the 2021 winners! We are HR. TM www.kmahr.com T h e V o i c e o f M a i n e B u s i n e s s During the past decade, membership investment dollars in the Maine State Chamber have generated a 1,300-to-1 return. CONGRATULATIONS to all the recipients, and especially these MAINE STATE CHAMBER MEMBERS, for earning the distinction of being one of the BEST PLACES TO WORK IN MAINE: Allen Insurance and Financial Alternative Wellness Services Bangor Savings Bank Biddeford Internet dba GWI Camden National Bank Consigli Construction Co., Inc. Day's Jewelers Finance Authority of Maine Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine Haley Ward, Inc. Hammond Lumber Company Hancock Lumber James W. Sewall Company JMG Lebel & Harriman, LLP Machias Savings Bank Maine Credit Union League / Synergent Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance MMG Insurance Moody's Co-worker Owned, Inc. Summit Utilities, Inc. TD Bank, N.A. The Cianbro Companies Trueline Tyler Technologies