Analytical Graphics inc, Fedex corporation and much more has been named a great place to work

Analytical Graphics Inc, Fedex Corporation, Griffin Hospital, Hot topic and Starbucks corporation all named great place to work.

Great Place to Work Institute announced today the five recipients of the 2005 Great Place to Work Award. Analytical Graphics Inc., FedEx Corporation, Griffin Hospital, Hot Topic, Inc. and Starbucks Corporation are being recognized for the innovative and successful approaches they have taken to build great workplaces for their employees.

Each Great Place to Work Award (formerly the Innovations Award) honors a specific employee practice, program or collection of programs that exemplifies one of the five dimensions of the Great Place to Work Model. According to the Instituteís research, in great workplaces leaders are credible, treat employees with respect and fairness, and encourage high levels of pride and camaraderie in the workplace. This model and definition of great workplaces is the basis of the methodology used by the Institute to select FORTUNEís 100 Best Companies to Work for and the Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America for the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), as well other best companies lists throughout the world.

Some people think that benefits alone will build great workplaces, but the truth is that benefits and programs are only as effective as the intention behind them, explains Amy Lyman, President and Co-Founder of Great Place to Work Institute. Leaders in these five companies have done a remarkable job of implementing programs and practices that fit their cultures, build trust, and address the key areas necessary to create great workplaces.

Company executives will be presented with their awards at the annual Great Place to Work Conference in San Francisco, California, April 20 ñ 22, 2005. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the leaders who have created this success, and learn directly from their achievements.

- Starbucks Corporation. As the recipient of this yearís Credibility Award, Starbucks is being recognized for its Mission Review program, which encourages every Starbucks partner to question any business practices they believe run contrary to the companyís mission statement.

- Analytical Graphics Inc. As the recipient of this yearís Respect Award, Analytical Graphics is being recognized for the extensive and cohesive collection of training and development programs offered to employees at all levels within the company.

- FedEx Corporation. As the recipient of this yearís Fairness Award, FedEx is being recognized for their Guaranteed Fair Treatment Procedure and RESPECT (Resolving Employee Situations and Problems Encourages Company-wide Trust) program.

- Griffin Hospital. As the recipient of this yearís Pride Award, Griffin Hospital is being recognized for the implementation of the Planetree patient-centered care model, which enables employees to practice their profession the way they envisioned it ñ with the focus on patient care and satisfaction.

- Hot Topic, Inc. As the recipient of this yearís Camaraderie Award, Hot Topic is being recognized for its uniquely stimulating, creative work atmosphere where employees are encouraged to be themselves.

The Great Place to Work Conference will also provide in-depth sessions and workshops, formal and informal networking opportunities, and keynotes from distinguished leaders of many of the best companies to work for in the nation including: Danny R. Wegman, CEO, Wegmans Food Markets; David J. Bronczek, President/ CEO, FedEx Express; and Dr. Denis Cortese, President/CEO, Mayo Clinic.