CHAPEL HILL, NC, UNITED STATES - Sep 8, 2014 - Rho, a contract research organization (CRO) focused on bringing new products to market through a full range of product development services, has again been honored with the 2014 When Work Works Award.  The NC-based CRO earned this national award for the third straight year for its effective workplace strategies to increase business and employee success.

This prestigious award, part of the national When Work Works project administered by Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), recognizes employers of all sizes and types in North Carolina and across the country.

“We are delighted to receive this recognition for our workplace practices. We are committed to building a workplace that supports our team,” said Laura Helms Reece, Dr. P.H., chief executive officer for Rho. “The award is a testament to our commitment to creating a flexible workplace, including traditional programs like telecommuting and flexible hours, as well as innovative programs like treadmill desks and a concierge service that runs personal errands for employees.”

The award is the result of a rigorous assessment. Worksites must first qualify in the top 20 percent of the country based on a nationally representative sample of employers. Two-thirds of the evaluation of applicants comes from an employee survey. Applicants are evaluated on six research-based ingredients of an effective workplace: opportunities for learning; a culture of trust; work-life fit; supervisor support for work success; autonomy; and satisfaction with earnings, benefits and opportunities for advancement - all factors associated with employee health, well-being, and engagement.

“These employers are making work work in innovative and inspiring ways and set an example for employers both nationally and internationally,” said Ellen Galinsky, president of Families and Work Institute.

“The When Work Works Award recognizes organizations that foster a culture of workplace flexibility and effectiveness, which gives them a competitive advantage. Their practices set them apart from other organizations,” said Lisa Horn, director of SHRM’s Workplace Flexibility Initiative.

For a complete list of winners check out this interactive map, which includes winning organizations by state: http://www.whenworkworks.org/be-effective/2014-when-work-works-award-winners-state-by-state.

When Work Works is a national project that shares research results on what makes an effective and flexible workplace with the business community.

For more information about the When Work Works initiative and the When Work Works Award (formerly known as the Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility) visit www.whenworkworks.org

Media: For more information, contact Bernadette Chepega of Largemouth Communications at bernadette@largemouthpr.com and (703) 297-5992; Eve Tahmincioglu of FWI at eve@familiesandwork.org and (212) 716-1842; or Kate Kennedy of SHRM at kate.kennedy@shrm.org and (703) 535-6260.

About Rho

Rho, a privately-held, contract research organization (CRO) located in Chapel Hill, NC, provides a full range of clinical research services across the entire drug development process. For 30 years, Rho has been a trusted partner to some of the industry’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies as well as academic and government organizations. Our commitment to excellence, our innovative technologies, and our therapeutic expertise accelerate time to market, maximize returns on investment, and lead to an exceptional customer experience. For more information, please visit www.rhoworld.com and follow us on Twitter.

About When Work Works

When Work Works is a national initiative, led by the partnership of the Families and Work Institute (FWI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), to help businesses of all sizes and types become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces. When Work Works is one of the foremost providers of resources, rigorous research and best practices on workplace effectiveness and flexibility in the nation. The initiative administers the prestigious annual When Work Works Award, which recognizes exemplary employers for creating effective workplaces to increase business and employee success. Visit www.whenworkworks.org and follow us on Twitter @WhenWorkWorks @FWINews and @SHRMPress, and join the workflex conversation on Facebook.com/FWINews.

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