PORTLAND – A coalition of business and human resource groups is launching the “Best Places to Work in Maine” program.

It’s expected to foster growth and excellence in Maine workplaces, organizers said. It will provide recognition to companies that have the qualities of an excellent workplace, including high employee morale.

The assessment, administered by the Best Companies Group and Modern Think LLC, will be conducted in early June, focusing on all registered companies. The results of the scientifically validated survey will consider a company’s employee policies and procedures as well as in-depth responses from the company’s employees. An Assessment Findings Report will be presented to each participating company to help it enhance, maintain, or improve policies, practices and procedures in the workplace environment.

Any company with at least 15 employees in the state of Maine is encouraged to participate. Companies selected as a “Best Place to Work in Maine” will be announced at an event in the fall and a full list of best companies will be featured in a statewide publication.

Interested companies can apply to participate in the program online at www.bestplacestoworkme.com. Deadline for registration is May 26. All registered companies will be surveyed simultaneously following the deadline date.