Windmere Certified “Great Place to Work” for Second Consecutive Year

During the health care industry’s most challenging year in memory, the Windmere has been certified as a “Great Place to Work®” for the second year in a row. This certification was awarded based on an employee survey and evaluation process conducted by Great Place to Work Institute (GPTW), an independent research and consulting firm nationally recognized for producing workplace lists such as the annual Fortune 100 Best Places to Work list.

The anonymous survey, which was completed by an extraordinary 78% of the Home’s 140+ employees, evaluated over 60 elements of team members’ experiences on the job. Using methods developed through years of studying high-trust, high-performance workplaces, GPTW judged things like employees’ trust in leadership, pride in contributions and relationships with coworkers.

According to the anonymous survey, 92% of employees at the Home agreed that “my work has special meaning” and “this is not ‘just a job’.” 8% fewer employees at Fortune 100 Best Places to Work organizations said the same this year.

“When I look at what we accomplish, I feel a sense of pride.”

85% of Windmere employees

The most frequently used words to describe the Home included caring, team, family, collaborate, compassion, and committed.

A Compassionate Community

For the approximately 42% of the Home’s staff that have worked at the Home for over 15 years, these results come as no surprise. And the secret is getting out: the Home’s staff comprises five generations, from those born before World War II all the way to the youngest members of today’s workforce. (Almost 20% of the Home’s staff was born after 1997.)

Research shows that different generations tend to value different qualities in employers. Creating a culture that appeals to everyone is no small accomplishment. It starts with trust and support.

One recent way the entire Windmere community has shown support to employees is through the “Pay It Forward” program. When staff or their families experience crisis, residents and staff alike are invited to donate money, resources, and even Personal Time. In one recent example, the community raised nearly $2,000 on behalf of an employee in crisis.

And when crisis struck everyone at the Home thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and national PPE shortage, the local community wasted no time supporting employees with over 200 homemade gowns and masks.

We cherish our residents, and our shared commitments to them and to each other make us like a family. In a year when it might feel safer to run away, our family has stuck together. I thank God for our team of heroes.

Executive Director & Administrator Carlos G. Beato, LNHA, RN

That same compassion extends to the best of times. It is not uncommon for staff to throw surprise baby showers or engagement parties for each other – sometimes even inviting residents to join the fun.

Great Workplace = Great Performance

High employee satisfaction should always lead to high employee performance. And even the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) has noted high performance at the Home. Following unannounced, on-site inspections, NJDOH gave the Home a rating of “Deficiency-Free” in each of the last three years. And the Home consistently boasts nurse-to-resident ratios that are above average in New Jersey according to data that is publicly available through NJDOH.

The Home is made up of caring professionals that work hard each day for the service of our residents and their families. I am very proud to work alongside them and continue our 125-year legacy.

Executive Director & Administrator Carlos G. Beato, LNHA, RN

Windmere has been serving older adults in northern New Jersey since 1895. Located in North Haledon and recently renovated, the Home’s Life Care model covers a lifetime of care ranging from independent living to 24/7 skilled nursing — all under one roof.