A recent study by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans found that “employers whose engagement levels are high offer attractive benefits including paid leave, health insurance, retirement, and health and well-being incentives.”
Greenspring, an Erickson Senior Living-managed community in Springfield, Virginia, has comprehensive total rewards that go beyond typical employee benefit plans. In addition to offering multiple health care plans and choices, employees receive a full range of support to help build their careers while enjoying an enviable work-life balance. Other competitive benefits include tuition reimbursement, 401K with company match, generous paid time off, online training classes, and a wide range of discount programs.
“Each day, Greenspring team members utilize their many talents helping our residents live better lives,” says executive director Melissa Robson. “Recognizing their invaluable contributions, Erickson Senior Living rewards employees with a robust package of benefits reflecting our commitment to their futures, financial stability, health and well-being, and work-life balance.”
Beginning her Greenspring career as a 15-year old student server, Nadia Ramos quickly discovered the importance of the work-life balance enjoyed by staff members.
“I was always home from work by 8 pm, giving me plenty of time for my school work,” she says. “My friends who also worked in the food service industry arrived home from work very late at night. For me, balancing work with my studies was always a priority. As a student employee, my managers were always looking out for me, arranging my schedule when life became hectic.”
In fact, the support Nadia received from her supervisors, coupled with a Greenspring student scholarship and Erickson Senior Living’s tuition reimbursement benefits, not only made college attainable, but put her on a path for an exciting career.
“As a high school student, I learned that, if I became a full-time employee, I would receive tuition reimbursement for college,” she says. “I talked with my managers who agreed this was a wonderful opportunity for me. I became a full-time service coach and a year later was promoted to a supervisor position in the dining department.”
For four years, Nadia attended George Mason University as a full-time student, while also working full-time at Greenspring. In 2016, she received a degree in integrative studies with a concentration on legal studies, and a minor in Spanish.
“Even as a manager, I was home by 8 p.m., something usually unheard of in the dining services industry,” she says. “That was very beneficial as it gave me the time I needed to finish my readings, write papers, and take exams. It’s so refreshing to work at a company that values education. Working at Greenspring allowed me to pursue my educational dreams.”
Working at Greenspring while attending college also helped Nadia make important decisions about her future.
“In addition to the strong work-life balance and supportive managers, working at Greenspring also helped direct my future path,” she says. “As a college student, I also interned at a legal firm. That’s when I learned that office life was not for me. I missed the interaction with people. On the days I worked at Greenspring, I was so happy to interact with the residents. I realized I didn’t want a career where I would spend full days on the computer. Working at Greenspring helped me decide what I wanted to do with my life.”
And Nadia enjoyed continued support from her supervisors throughout her college years.
“I’ve been so fortunate for a great director who continues to coach me, helping me as I continue to grow in this field,” she says. “I am now the general manager of the Woodland Skies restaurant and Village Eatery. And I’m not stopping here, I have the support and the determination to continue to grow.”
For more information on careers at Greenspring, visit EricksonSeniorLivingCareers.com.