“Extraordinary, Together” – Westminster Earns Top Workplace Honors for Eighth Consecutive Year
Associates Feel Appreciated and Confident in Direction of Workplace
November 11, 2021 – AUSTIN, TEXAS – Westminster senior living community, located near the heart of downtown Austin, has been recognized by the Austin American-Statesman for the eighth consecutive year as a 2021 “Top Workplace” of Greater Austin. Anonymously rated by employees, the Top Workplaces project annually honors 100 area employers scoring high marks for overall workplace satisfaction.
Westminster continues to earn Top Workplace honors from employees with a strong sense of loyalty to the organization, and the hundreds of residents who genuinely appreciate the contributions of each and every associate. During an historically challenging time for all employers, the community was credited for creating a nurturing, upwardly mobile environment for its associates, including Stephanie Garza and Brooks Eastman, award-winning employees who share their stories in this release.
Senior living has morphed into one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing industries in the country, with the promise of job security. According to a recent Forbes story, “Long-term care health facilities, assisted living communities, residencies and memory care centers all bode well for job growth.” Forbes also cited employees who enjoy the human high-touch sense of giving back on the job and the industry’s capacity to offer a wide variety of jobs, from IT, to accounting, to nursing.
“As Westminster approaches its 55th anniversary in 2022, our workplace certainly reflects this trend offering unlimited opportunities for careers in healthcare, hospitality, food and beverage, administration, security, environmental services, transportation and much more. We have also enriched our benefits to attract employees as the community expands with new wellness resources for residents and additional apartment homes,” says executive director Chuck Borst.
According to Westminster’s director of human resources, Kim Ogden, nearly 25 percent of the community’s workforce has served Westminster for ten years or more. “Westminster offers a pervasive culture of giving back, and we are constantly seeking new talent in every part of the organization as we grow, and lean toward the future with long-term positions,” says Ogden.
Brooks Eastman Celebrates 12 Years at Westminster
Brooks Eastman, 41, is a father of three and an award-winning employee who has worked at Westminster for more than 12 years. As the activity coordinator for Memory Care, Eastman works with residents challenged with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other cognitive issues. “I’ve always been interested in social services and enjoy the geriatric field. Westminster’s Board of Directors and Administration team look out for our employees. They help us with tuition reimbursement for college, offer generous PTO vacation, and recently bumped up our matching 403b contributions,” says Eastman, who won the “Employee of the Year” award in 2015. “Westminster lends itself to employees seeking long-term jobs. Like me, a lot of people have worked their way up from entry level to senior-level positions, where we can find our true calling at work – it’s wonderful to have these opportunities to grow with the community.”
Stephanie Garza Enjoys Leadership Courses
Stephanie Garza, 25, is an environmental services supervisor who won the “Tauri Awad” in 2019 recognizing her achievements as a new associate, followed by the “Impact Award” in 2020 for her significant contributions to efficiency, effectiveness and the innovative delivery of service. She has worked at Westminster for three years, supervising the community’s housekeeping associates, primarily in the Arbour Health Center.
“I enjoy coming to work where I feel embraced by the residents and associates who bring different personalities and talents to the workplace. Westminster has created an inclusive workplace with courses and job training to help us to reach our full potential. I especially enjoy the on-campus leadership classes, which enhance our leadership skills and give us the tools to become better, more effective managers for our team. Every day, we learn something new and find ways to give back,” says Garza.
In 2020, Westminster was awarded the “Excellence in the Workplace” award by LeadingAge Texas, and recognized for more than a decade as a top retirement community by U.S. News & World Report. As a nonprofit, Westminster has a strong philanthropic culture. The community has banded together to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for meaningful charities such as Alzheimer’s Texas. Westminster also hosts events year-round to celebrate milestones for Departments, workplace anniversaries, and the contributions of associates who go above and beyond normal job responsibilities.
“During this very challenging time, Top Workplaces has proven to be a beacon of light for organizations, as well as a sign of resiliency and strong business performance,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage, which conducted this survey. “When you give your employees a voice, you come together to navigate challenges and shape your path forward. Top Workplaces draw on real-time insights into what works best for their organization, so they can make informed decisions that have a positive impact on their people and their business.” Anonymous surveys were conducted by Energage LLC, a third-party research partner. Workers rated employers on 15 culture drivers such as leadership and direction, ethics and values, compensation and professional camaraderie. Top employers are highlighted in the Austin American-Statesman
