University’s Institute Is Changing the Way Kentucky Works

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 12, 2012) — The University of Kentucky Institute for Workplace Innovation (iwin) is changing the way Kentucky organizations and their employees work. 

Four years ago, iwin established the Innovative Employer Roundtable, 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. At that time, iwin set a goal to obtain 40 Innovative Employer Roundtable partners.

Recently, iwin announced the achievement of this milestone. As partners of the Roundtable, organizations 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. 

"Important research that is conducted often stays only in the hands of academics," Jennifer Swanberg, executive director of iwin and UK associate professor of Social Work said. “In creating the Innovative Employer Roundtable and the institute, I wanted to ensure we not only conducted research that was meaningful to employers, but also translate that research into tools and resources that Kentucky employers can actually put into practice to create ideal working environments.” 

Born out of a University of Kentucky work-life task force, iwin was established in 2007 by former UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. to utilize university-based research to influence smart economic development in Kentucky.  Toward that end, iwin educates and engages Kentucky organizations in the implementation of evidence-based, innovative workplace practices that will make them employers-of-choice, thus helping Kentucky become a state of choice.

Organizations on the Innovative Employer Roundtable represent diverse industries, sizes and geographic regions of Kentucky. The 40 employer partners represent more than 500,000 employees, not just in Kentucky, but nationally and worldwide. Partners with a local and international presence include Brown-Forman, Ceridian Stored Value, GE Appliances and Lighting, General Cable, Papa John’s, Perfetti Van Melle and Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing, NA. 

Lynn Bertsch, iwin’s director of employer engagement, speaks to what Innovative Employer Roundtable partners value.

“One of the things we frequently hear from our partners is the benefits they derive from their ability to network with other Roundtable partners, learn from one another, and share best practices,” Bertsch said.

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. In response to employer concerns, iwin launched several research projects such as: "Creating Healthy Organizations: Promising Practices in Kentucky," "The Kentucky Aging Workforce Study," and "Flexible Workplace Solutions for Low-Wage Hourly Workers: A Framework for a National Conversation."

Research by iwin has gained national exposure, shining light on the innovative practices of Kentucky employers. Central Bank, one of the Roundtable’s six founding partners was an early adopter who recognized the value of being a Roundtable partner.

“Iwin, with its focus on conducting rigorous, academic research, and translating that research into tools and resources that employers can easily understand and implement, is a unique asset that Kentucky employers have derived great benefit from," said Luther Deaton, president of Central Bank. "The institute’s outreach to the Commonwealth is not only commendable, it is truly having an impact — an impact that will continue into the future. Iwin and its staff have contributed to enhancing the overall image of Kentucky’s workforce by assisting employers in adopting innovative, progressive 21st century workplace practices that make them employers of choice."

To learn more about iwin and the Innovative Employer Roundtable and view a complete list of Partner organizations, visit http://iwin.uky.edu, or contact Lee Ann Walton at leeannwalton@uky.edu.