Pakistan
Company Wins “Best Places to Work” Competition
Philadelphia: Philadelphia Business Journal has
named Parkway Clinical Laboratories one of the top
40 Best Places to Work in Greater Philadelphia,
in its inaugural program. The award recognizes the
company’s achievement in creating a positive
work environment that attracts and retains employees
through a combination of benefits, working conditions,
and company culture.
The Bensalem PA-based Parkway was one of 150 nominated
companies, making the top 3 list based on the strength
of its benefits, programs and employee evaluations.
“I like to empower people to be decision makers,”
said President & CEO Raza Bokhari, MD. “We
entered the award program,” said Laura Violet
Slenzak, Business Development Manager, “because
we think our culture is unique in the way we treat
our employees, customers and strategic partners,
and the employees responded. The company is very
proud of its employees, and we’re proud to
be a winner of this award.”
Dr. Raza Bokhari is a physician-turned-entrepreneur
of Pakistani descent, who specializes in turning
around and accelerating health care service companies
in the Greater Philadelphia area. He has vast knowledge
base of developing creative concepts, implementing
programs and form strategic alliances. Dr. Bokhari
holds many key positions, all with bottom line accountability
and responsibility for company wide operations,
business development and corporate strategy. He
also serves as President & CEO of New Jersey-based
Lakewood Pathology Associates, which has presence
in at least sixteen (16) different states.
“Employees are proud to work for companies
that are about more than business,” said Bernard
Dagenais, Philadelphia Business Journal editor.
“And, the results show how creating the right
work environment can create powerful business advantages.”
The top forty companies are profiled in a special
supplement of the Philadelphia Business Journal
issued October 29th, and will be entitled to use
the 2004 seal in advertising and public relations
outreach.
Companies were evaluated on two kinds of information
collected. Each completed an overall questionnaire
about retirement plans, health insurance, profit
sharing or stock options, performance-based reviews,
employee training, paternity leave, and perks such
as parking, child care, subsidized transportation
or tuition reimbursement.
Employees then responded to questionnaires, addressing
pride in the company; whether and how the company
encourages, supports, and recognizes achievement;
open communication; whether compensation is fair;
and relationships with co-workers and immediate
supervisors. They were also asked to describe their
favorite and least favorite things about the company,
and comment further if desired.
The results were analyzed and scored by assigning
points to each question and weighing them according
to emphasis on creativity, flexibility and collegiality.
Common themes among the top companies focused on
work-life balance, respect and caring for employees,
recognition of accomplishments, feeling empowered,
good teamwork and team spirit and commitment to
community service.
“The best places to work are companies that
don’t cut back their commitment to employees
in a down economy, while asking them to work harder
and smarter,” said Philadelphia Business Journal
publisher Lyn Kremer. “They recognize employees
as their best asset, instrumental in maintaining
the quality and reputation for services and products.
It’s a smart - and winning - business strategy.”
“We remain committed to high professional
and moral values, as we continue in our endeavors
to constantly reinvent ourselves in response to
changing times,” said Dr. Bokhari. “I
am proud of my co-workers, and am honored to be
recognized by the area’s leading business
journal for our efforts, by being named one of the
top Three Best Places to Work in Greater Philadelphia.”
