First GREEN Bank has been selected as one of OUTSIDE’s Best Places to Work 2015.
By Jacob Engels
Each year, OUTSIDE recognizes the top 100 companies in the United States that help their employees strike the ideal balance between work and play. These companies encourage employees to lead an active lifestyle, are eco-conscious, and prioritize giving back to the community.
“Our employees are First GREEN Bank’s strongest asset and we strive to create a positive, healthy and engaging work environment for them,” said Ken LaRoe, founder and CEO of First GREEN Bank. “Being recognized as one of Outside’s Best Places to Work for the second year in a row shows that our investment in our employees continues to pay off. We are honored to be named to a list with so many other prestigious organizations and will continue to uphold the values that make First GREEN Bank a great place to work.”
To find the best places to work in the United States in 2015, OUTSIDE started by creating five company categories that reflect the magazine’s values and focus: Adventure/Travel, Wellness, Culture, Gear, and Media. OUTSIDE then conducted a rigorous vetting process in partnership with the Best Companies Group to assess the policies, practices, and demographics of hundreds of companies.
Outside’s Best Places to Work 2015 was driven by employee reviews of their workplaces, taking into account factors like corporate culture, role satisfaction, work environment and overall employee engagement. The Best Places to Work list represents the cream of the crop: companies that are empowering their employees to live bigger, better lives.
“The companies recognized in this year’s Best Places to Work list are the gold standard for stellar work environments that seek to empower their employees both in and out of the office,” said OUTSIDE Online Editor Scott Rosenfield. “The new categories in this year’s list serve to highlight outstanding workplaces in distinctive fields—making it all the easier for our readers to find their dream jobs.”
Employees of First GREEN Bank are provided with many tools that allow them to live healthy and sustainable lifestyles. They are incentivized to attain LEED Green Associate and Accredited Professional Certification through scholarships and annual raises. Additionally, the bank also offers many other employee benefits including cash incentives for hybrid vehicle purchases, an on-site personal trainer and gym at the Mt. Dora branch and free employee Fitbits.
Recently, the bank implemented additional initiatives to help employees and their families live well. The bank’s Living Wage Program ensures that each employee earns a minimum $31,000 yearly salary or the hourly equivalent without a salary cap – 50 percent more than the required wage in Florida. First GREEN Bank also recently implemented the Parental Leave Policy, giving both mothers and fathers additional flexibility and time to bond with their newborns, adjust to their new family situation and balance professional careers.
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
