WesternU among nation's best colleges to work for

Western University of Health Sciences is rated among the nation’s best universities to work for, according to a survey released by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

The survey, Great Colleges To Work For 2012, is based on responses from nearly 47,000 people at 294 institutions: 221 four-year colleges and universities, and 73 two-year colleges, according to the Chronicle’s website. The survey identifies 103 outstanding institutions across the country. WesternU is on the Great Colleges list for the first time.

“WesternU strives to create a healthy working environment where employees are respected and valued,” said WesternU President Philip Pumerantz, PhD. “We are not merely a collection of instructors, clinicians, researchers and staff members. We are a family that celebrates each other’s triumphs, supports each other in times of need and encourages each other to reach new heights.”

Though employees rated financial benefits, like retirement plans, as very desirable, other kinds of benefits were important to “Great Colleges” recognition, according to the Chronicle. Work and life balance, career development programs, satisfaction with the physical workspace and flexible work arrangements turned out to be key.

WesternU, which is nearing 1,000 employees, scored particularly high in the category of “Compensation and Benefits.” One outstanding feature cited for the University is its generous vacation policy. WesternU gives eligible employees as many as 26 days of vacation each year.

WesternU employees are encouraged to strike a work-life balance, with everything from an exercise incentive program to an employee assistance program to help with emotional well-being, work issues, parenting and child care, education and legal assistance.

“Our goal is to instill in our students the values of humanism, and to accomplish this we surround them with caring, compassionate people who are excellent at what they do,” Pumerantz said.