We in The Compassionate Friends have heard many stories about how newly bereaved parents have been treated by their employers. Some of those stories have warmed our hearts and lightened our steps; but others have made us realize how much work still needs to be done in this area.

The Compassionate Friends is eager to recognize the wonderful employers who have shown a high degree of compassion for parents and siblings in our situation.
 

Nominations for the 2004 awards have been closed. Those companies receiving the award recognition will be announced in January 2004, at which time The Compassionate Friends will open nominations for the 2005 awards, which will be announced January 2005.  
 

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Criteria for Compassionate Employer Recognition might include:

1. Employers who have personally supported your bereavement.

2. Those who arranged for additional time off, beyond the familiar three days.

3. Those who provided support services and/or time off, e.g., to obtain counseling or seek a support group.

4. Those who demonstrated a caring attitude and ability to empathize.

5. Those who showed flexibility in work assignments and evaluating job performance.

6. Other acts of compassion.

These criteria should serve as suggested guidelines, but should not be considered all inclusive. Nominations are only accepted for acts of compassion by employers within the United States and its territories and should not include companies, organizations, or governmental agencies specifically created to help the bereaved.  Please direct your questions to Joyce Margarce, CER Chair and TCF National Board Director.

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See press release: TCF Recognizes 45 Compassionate Employers.
 

2003 COMPASSIONATE EMPLOYERS 

 Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (CRS), Montgomery, AL
 American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine, Rochester, MN
 BAE Systems, Manassas, VA
 Baker & Hostetler, LLP, Orlando, FL
 Bank of America, Atlanta, GA
 Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc., Brentwood, TN
 Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA 
Bear Creek Corporation, Medford, OR
Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, MO
 Bozeman Daily Chronicle, Bozeman, MT
 Broward County Office of Budget Services, Fort Lauderdale, FL
 California State University, Sacramento, CA
 Caton Auto Clinic, Baltimore, MD
 Center for Rehab Services, McKeesport, PA
 Central Maine Medical Center, T-1 Nursing Staff, Lewiston, ME
 Chili Public Library, Rochester, NY
 CIGNA Healthcare, Philadelphia, PA
 Citizens & Farmers Bank, Saluda, VA
 Clear Channel Taxi Media, Las Vegas, NV
 Community Care Services Program, Rome, GA
 CPI Corp. (Sears Portrait Studio), St. Louis, MO
 Dakota Engineering, Indianapolis, IN
 Dordt College, Sioux Center, IA
 Easy Gardener, Inc., Waco, TX
 Farmers Insurance Group—The Schmidt Agency, Livonia, MI
 Farmers’ Mutual of Flemington, Flemington, NJ
 Federal Express, Framingham, MA
 Granite Construction Co., Hanford, CA
 Gray & Becker, Austin, TX
 Hyatt Regency/San Diego, San Diego, CA
 IBM Corporation, Smyrna, GA
 IDS Credential One, Bedford Heights, OH
 Itron, Spokane, WA
 Johnson Controls, Inc. (Controls Division), Milwaukee, WI
 Laurel Ford, Laurel, MS
Libla Industries, Inc., Poplar Bluff, MO
 Monarch K-8 School, Boulder Valley Public Schools, Louisville, CO
 Northcoast Children’s Services, Arcata, CA
 Pepperell Family Practice, Inc., Pepperell, MA
  Robert F. Kennedy Medical Center, Hawthorne, CA
 Safari Technologies, Otsego, MI
 St. Thomas University, Miami, FL
 Surebridge, Inc., Lexington, MA
 The Chronicle-Telegram, Elyria, OH
 Union Pacific Railroad, Omaha, NE

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2001 Compassionate Employers

2000 Compassionate Employers

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