EDISON, NJ – September 21, 2023 – Spring Hills, a trusted name in senior living for over 24 years, has undergone a remarkable transformation due to the employment landscape post-pandemic. Over the past two years, Spring Hills has navigated the new normal with a dedicated focus on redefining company culture through operations and staffing. This transformative effort has yielded exceptional results, as Spring Hills Senior Communities is now proud to announce its certification as a Great Place to Work by the Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner, Activated Insights.
The certification process involved surveying 100% of employees across Spring Hills Senior Living Communities and evaluating over 60 aspects of their job experiences. These assessments included factors such as employee pride in the organization’s community impact, belief in the meaningfulness of their work, and a sense that their contributions make a real difference. Rankings were solely based on employees’ experiences, reflecting the organization’s commitment to inclusivity.
The pandemic encouraged Spring Hills to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and accept that remote work was here to stay to reshape the associate experience. The first phase of this was to enhance the associate experience and increase retention. Unanda Bell, VP of HR and Talent Management, initiated these efforts. She said, “By appointing a Director of Associate Experience the company was able to really listen to what the associates were experiencing. This played a pivotal role in improving employee morale and engagement, contributing to the organization’s success by aligning these sentiments with the company’s mission for higher retention.”
Pierre Verger, Vice President of Assisted Living Operations, spearheaded the operational transformation, strategically developing plans that contributed to this prestigious honor. Improvements involved streamlining back-office support services and maximizing the recruitment and on-boarding process. This new remote system increased operational efficiency and facilitated a rapid turnaround and swift integration into the team. By investing in OnShift, a cutting-edge scheduling and engagement platform, it empowered associates to have greater control over their schedules resulting in full staffing in six months.
Elena Ortiz, CALA and COO of Spring Hills, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Our workplace practices have evolved significantly, by partnering with Achievers for our iRecognize Program which promotes associate appreciation and increases communication across the organization. These are just a few of the many changes that have not only enriched our company culture but have also contributed to staff retention and attraction.”
Dr. Jacquelyn Kung, of Great Place to Work’s senior care partner Activated Insights, commended Spring Hills for pursuing certification and sharing its employees’ feedback. She noted, “These ratings reflect the organization’s capacity to earn the trust of its employees and create an outstanding workplace conducive to high performance.”
Alexander Markowits, President/CEO of Spring Hills, expressed his pride in the team’s hard work and dedication over the past year, culminating in this prestigious achievement. He stated, “Moments like this strengthen, motivate, and inspire us to exceed industry standards.” Transformation is never easy, but when approached with care and dedication, the rewards are substantial.
About Activated Insights and Great Place to Work:
Activated Insights is the senior care affiliate of Great Place to Work, a global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its aging services certification program, Activated Insights helps Great Place to Work recognize outstanding workplace cultures in the aging services industry and produce the annual Fortune “Best Workplaces for Aging Services™” list, among other prestigious recognitions.
About Spring Hills:
Spring Hills Senior Communities and Poet’s Walk, Spring Hills Memory Care Communities offer innovative and individualized approaches to senior care and services under the leadership of Alexander Markowits, President/CEO. Signature Touches™ is the company’s holistic approach to offering personalized care and services designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of residents and associates to help them “Live Happy.” With locations in NJ, VA, OH, FL, TX, and NV, Spring Hills offers assisted living and memory care services. For more information about their commitment to quality senior living, visit www.springhills.com.