Award Seeks to Recognize Innovative Kentucky Employer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 1, 2012) — The University of Kentucky Institute for Workplace Innovation (iwin) is accepting nominations for the 2013 Dr. Lee T. Todd, Jr. Bridging the Gap Between Workplace Research and Practice Award.

The award recognizes the former UK president's vision in creating an institute committed to Kentucky's economic and workforce challenges. The award is offered to one organization in the form of a scholarship and consists of a waived membership fee to participate in iwin’s  Innovative Employer Roundtable for one year. The recognized employer may participate in roundtable partner-exclusive events and learning opportunities. Applicants may be nominated by a current Innovative Employer Roundtable Partner or they may self‐nominate. Applications must be received by Feb. 1, 2013.

The 39 organizations currently on the Innovative Employer Roundtable represent diverse industries, sizes and geographic regions of Kentucky. Roundtable partners participate in a learning community of Kentucky’s leading employers that are committed to creating high-performing work environments that boost the bottom line, employee health and work-life fit. As part of the roundtable, partners access cutting-edge research from national experts and leading thinkers, learn about emerging global trends, and promising workplace practices while networking with fellow Partners about critical workforce issues. In addition to learning best practices from leading Kentucky organizations, roundtable employers have the chance to influence and participate in iwin-led research projects that directly affect their organizations.

3M Corporation was the 2012 award recipient.

"3M Cynthiana was delighted to be selected for the 2012 Dr. Todd Award," Ann Getting, Cynthiana plant manager said. "We especially appreciated the opportunity to join the UK iwin Innovative Employer Roundtable for a year at no charge. The opportunity to interact with other roundtable partners and share best practices has been tremendous. The roundtable topics and speakers have all been excellent.”

The Innovative Employer Roundtable Steering Committee will select the employer scholarship recipient in February 2013. The scholarship will be effective May 2013 and last for one year, which will include attendance at the May and October roundtable meetings.

To be eligible, applicants cannot have been a previous roundtable partner; they must have employees based in Kentucky; they may be for profit or nonprofit, of any size, and may represent any industry. Recipients of other workforce related awards/recognitions will be considered.

For more information, please contact Lee Ann Walton at leeannwalton@uky.edu or (859) 323-0582. Interested organizations may apply at http://iwin.uky.edu.