They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. That wasn’t a problem for Emily Stambaugh when she visited Oak Crest for a job interview earlier this year. She was impressed the moment she set foot on campus and instantly felt a connection to the continuing care retirement community managed by Erickson Senior Living in Parkville, Md.
"It felt like home," says Stambaugh, a home care office coordinator. "Everyone was so warm and welcoming. My degree is in healthcare management, and I was looking for a job that would allow me to take part in the clinical side as well as administration. This job is the perfect fit."
“Unparalleled workplace experience”
Oak Crest is managed by Erickson Senior Living, one of the top five largest senior living providers in the United States, with 16,000 team members nationwide. Oak Crest employees enjoy more than just a job. Team members receive a full range of benefits and perks that empower them to establish a healthy work-life balance, plan for their future financial security, and take advantage of meaningful training opportunities and ladders to career success.
“The services we offer to more than 30,000 residents nationwide are only as good as the people providing them,” says Alan Butler, chief executive officer of Erickson Senior Living. “This is why we take the hiring process very seriously in order to identify the best people. As a growth company with a bright future, we strive to be an employer of choice by providing an unparalleled workplace experience.”
According to the 2023 Indeed and Glassdoor Hiring and Workplace Trends Report, job seekers are looking for five things in today’s market:
- Higher compensation
- Positive company culture
- Focus on well-being
- Commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion
- Financial stability
Key factors like these make Erickson Senior Living communities like Oak Crest an employer of choice.
"I feel valued and that they care about my well-being and work-life balance. We have an employee health and well-being center on campus where you can go for screenings, vaccinations, or when you are not feeling well. You can work out at the on-site fitness center. We also have discounts on theme park tickers and sporting events," Stambaugh says.
For those enrolled in an Erickson Senior Living health plan, the company’s Wellness Fund reimburses up to $260 for personal wellness expenses such as gym memberships, athletic shoes, Fitbits, massages, and more.
Positive company culture
Oak Crest staff members have many opportunities to socialize and have fun at work with one another and the people living there. Events, staff picnics and potlucks, theater productions, dance competitions, and theme parties are commonplace on the lively campus.
Throughout the year, employees and residents come together on important community projects. The Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Council organizes school supply donation drives, a Martin Luther King Day of Service collection for the House of Ruth, and support for the Helping Up Mission.
Team members also enjoy meaningful benefits including a 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, and tuition reimbursement. Hourly workers are recognized with gifts from the Staff Appreciation Fund, which is funded by generous donations from residents.
"We provide our staff with an array of remarkable benefits, but the culture and values we live by puts us over the top. At Oak Crest, you aren't just clocking in and collecting a paycheck. You are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. At the same time, you are laying the groundwork for a successful lifelong career with opportunities to achieve your goals now and in the future," says executive director Mark Roussey.
Bright future
Strong growth in the senior living industry continues to drive demand for qualified, talented employees like Stambaugh to serve and support Oak Crest residents.
"I feel like I am making a difference in people's lives, and the people who work and live here are making a difference in my life," says Stambaugh. "Every day, I leave work with a smile and feel a sense of accomplishment. I have met many people who have been with the company for 10 to 25 years. I could see myself working here until I retire."