Hanscom competing for recognition in top 100 work places

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gilmartin
  • 66th Air Base Wing
HANSCOM AFB, Mass. --  A random selection of Hanscom people will have a chance to help the base earn recognition from the Boston Globe as one of the top 100 places to work in Massachusetts by taking part in a brief survey now through June 23.

Hanscom has thrown its hat into the ring for consideration of being recognized in the "Globe 100: The Top Places to Work" section of a November Boston Globe edition as well as on line. Nominated for the recognition by base senior officials, Hanscom will now be judged against other work places based on a short survey completed by a random selection of military members and government civilians, including Non Appropriated Fund employees.

"We used statistical software to randomly select 25 percent, or about 700 people from Hanscom to participate in the survey, and provided their e-mail addresses," said Don Changeau, a sociologist in Electronic Systems Center's Directorate of Personnel. "The Globe is partnering with Workplace Dynamics LLC, which will conduct the surveys. The survey will be completely confidential."

ESC Chief of Staff Col. Russ Blaine notified those who were selected in an e-mail last week, and the survey's arrived in people's mail boxes Tuesday.

"It is extremely important that people who receive this survey take the time to fill it out and submit it, because the surveys are an important part of the evaluation process," said ESC Vice Commander Col. Terry Feehan. "Without at least 40 percent participation, we will be dropped from consideration for this honor. Earning this recognition will help us a great deal in our strategic recruitment efforts as we fill our vacancies and build a work force of the future."

According to the Globe's web site on the process, "The survey takes five minutes for each employee to complete." In addition to the survey results, the base will submit a short questionnaire on Hanscom's business operations, values, policies, and facilities for consideration.

To gain a better understanding of what Hanscom employees believe are the benefits of working at Hanscom, Colonel Feehan employed AFSO 21 techniques, hosting two brainstorming sessions with a cross section of the work force.

"I was seeking the voice of our customers, which in this case is our people," said Colonel Feehan. "What I heard was there are a number of things we offer at Hanscom that make this a great place to work. Winning this recognition will help us illustrate to others what it's like to work at Hanscom, and make them consider joining our team."

Both brainstorming groups, which included military and civilians, came up with a long list of benefits, ranging from a job with good pay, ample annual and sick leave, job security and flexible scheduling, to a great looking base with discounted child care, free fitness and health and wellness centers, and on-base colleges, where you can further your education while taking advantage of tuition assistance.

"People also highlighted the fact that they enjoyed making a real contribution to the Air Force mission," said Donna Desimas of the Directorate of Personnel.

"Clearly, there are a lot of factors that help make Hanscom a great place to work," said Colonel Feehan.

Sheila Brennan, ESC director of Personnel, agrees.

"We are working hard to attract the best and brightest to Hanscom with our strategic hiring initiative," Ms. Brennan said. "By earning recognition in 'Globe 100: The Top Places to Work,' we can cite this achievement in all subsequent 'branding' efforts, which can only add to our reputation. This will go a long way in helping us attract not only the active job seeker, but the passive job seeker as well."

If you have any questions on the survey or the strategic hiring initiative, contact Ms. Desimas at (781) 377-2285.