Quest Diagnostics named best place to work

Quest Diagnostics was named best place to work in Southern Nevada among companies with 5,000 or more employees, the Southern Nevada Human Resources Association announced Friday.

Quest's strength lies in the talent and diversity of its workforce with a focus on personal and professional development of its employees, association President Patrice Ross said at the Best Places to Work awards program at the Gold Coast.

Winners were selected primarily for their focus on placing employees' welfare at the top of the priority list, regardless of tough times endured in the recession, Ross said.

She cited Quest's interest in the education of employees' children through programs such as Bring Your Child to Work day.

"They watched a phlebotomist draw fake blood through a vein viewer, so the kids have a better idea of what their parents do every day at work and it gives them options for career choices," Ross said.

Sherri Hansen, human resources director for Quest in Las Vegas, said the company offers tuition reimbursement to help its 1,000 employees in Las Vegas pay for a college degree.

Quest also supports the American Cancer Society and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through employee volunteer efforts, she said.

"One of the things unique for us is health care has been hit hard during the recession, and we've had minimal layoffs in the work place by managing attrition and taking good care of our customers," Hansen said.

Second place in the mega category went to Marriott Vacation International, while Caesars Entertainment Corp. took third place.

McCarthy Building Cos. won the award for best place to work among large companies for "unwavering dedication" to employees while riding out the recession. McCarthy subsidized relocation of employees when necessary and was recognized with a 2011 Training magazine award for its online training program.

Pioneer Services Military Division at MidCountry Bank was second among large companies, and Amerigroup Community Care was third.

In the medium category, Roseman University of Health Sciences took home the first-place trophy for its low turnover rate and for allowing employees to enjoy their work without worrying about job security, Ross said. Employees are also privy to university financial statements.

Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging won the second-place award, and Opportunity Village was third.

TWI Group, winner of the small-business category, restructured its operations in 2009 after being hit hard by the recession and increased revenue by 16 percent last year. The company realized that employees are its greatest assets and conveyed that with increased pay and benefits, Ross said.

Second place went to Grand Canyon Skywalk, and third place went to law firm Lionel Sawyer & Collins.

First place in the micro category went to Geotech and Environmental Services, which boosts employee morale with impromptu champagne toasts. The company was able to maintain its staff with no reduction in benefits. Craig P. Kenny and Associates took second, and Gatski Commercial Services took third.

Contact reporter Hubble Smith at hsmith@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0491.