ALBANY, N.Y. – The Business Review has named Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP one of the 2008 Best Places to Work in the Capital Region. The award recognizes the company’s achievements in creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of benefits, working conditions and company culture.

The Albany-based law firm was one of the 200 companies to enter, making the top 30 list based on the strength of its employee evaluations.

“Our Firm has always been focused on establishing a family-friendly work environment. We host many events for our employees and their families such as summer outings, Halloween parties and holiday parties to thank our employees for their hard work. Open lines of communication and the opportunity to grow professionally foster a positive work environment for our employees. We also created the Women’s Forum to celebrate the success of women with the Firm and to foster the development of women leaders throughout the region”, said Neil Levine, Partner.

“Employees are proud to work for companies that are about more than business,” said Mike Hendricks, Business Review editor. “And the results show how creating the right work environment can create powerful business advantages.”

The top companies will be profiled in a special supplement of The Business Review issued on December 5 and will be honored at a celebration on December 4 at the Crowne Plaza in Albany.

Companies were evaluated on an objective 40-question survey completed by employees of participating companies. Employees scored their respective companies on a six-point scale. The results were compiled and analyzed by The Business Review’s research partner, Quantum Market Research.

The survey takes the following strategic measures into account:
· Team effectiveness
· Retention
· Employee alignment with company goals
· Trust with co-workers
· Individual contribution
· Manager effectiveness
· Trust in senior leaders
· Feeling valued
· Work engagement
· People practices

“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 Business Review publisher Carolyn Jones. “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.”

“Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP is proud to be recognized among this fine list of top companies and to be honored as one of the Capital Region’s Best Places to Work,” said Neil Levine.

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Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, the Capital Region’s largest law firm, has developed a reputation for innovative solutions and professional leadership. Through integrated, firm-wide collaboration, it offers clients a broad range of expertise in business, corporate, education, cleantech, energy, utility regulation, environmental, land use, health care, immigration, intellectual property, labor, employment, real estate development, tax and telecommunications law as well as estate planning and administration, government relations and litigation.

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