AUGUSTA — The Maine State Council of the Society for Human Resources Management has announced that several area companies have been named in the fourth annual Best Places to Work in Maine program.

Area companies named to the list, listed alphabetically, are:
Androscoggin Bank, Lewiston;  Austin Associates, PA, CPAs, Auburn;
Barclaycard US, Wilton; MOUNTAIN, LTD, New Gloucester; Oxford Networks,
Lewiston; White Rock Distilleries Inc., Lewiston.

The first, second and third rankings for small/medium sized company category and large company category will be announced at an awards banquet Oct. 13 at the Ramada Conference Center in Lewiston. The awards banquet will include a keynote address from motivational speaker Jay Wallus.

The 2009 Best Places to Work in Maine program, sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, recognizes companies that have established and consistently fostered outstanding workplace environments. Partners endorsing the program include: Best Companies Group, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, Employment Times and Mainebiz.

The assessment process, administered by the Best Companies Group, evaluated each company’s employee policies and procedures as well as responses from the company’s employees. The program marks the most recent step in a long-term initiative to encourage growth and excellence throughout all Maine companies.

The program also helps companies that want to improve their score. The Best Companies Group “Employee Feedback Report” is presented to each participating company, even if they did not make the list. The report includes the summarized employee engagement and satisfaction data, the Maine Benchmark Report, and the transcript of employee written comments. The report is used by many organizations to make significant improvements in their workplace culture.

Further details about the “Best Places to Work in Maine” program and the awards banquet can be found online at www.bestplacestoworkinme.com.