Government/Military/Educational Institution category
Green Chimneys School
It Takes a Village
New York — Unlike other facilities that provide services to emotionally disturbed children, Green Chimneys operates an open campus and invites the community to interact with the children and staff. Green Chimneys School, part of a larger residential and day treatment campus, is a year-round K-12 special education program that serves residents as well as day students. The program has stayed close to its family-run roots by encouraging its 250 employees to consider themselves more than just paid workers.
Click here to watch a video clip about Green Chimneys School.
Employee Involvement
At Green Chimneys School, management regularly solicits employee suggestions regarding decisions that affect their jobs and is open to staff input about new ideas and methods. In fact, many of Green Chimneys’ current programs were developed through staff grassroots efforts. Throughout the year, employees are involved in numerous work groups and task forces, including the school council and safety and social committees. Staff members also frequently volunteer to assist with weekend events, community outreach programs and fundraisers.
Health and Safety
In addition to standard health and safety training and educational seminars, Green Chimneys helps employees manage stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle by offering benefits that capitalize on its rural setting. Staff members are allotted time during the day to exercise, and free bottled water provides an extra incentive to use the campus walking trail. Many employees also visit the working farm, located on the campus, and take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of interacting with the animals before returning to work refreshed and revitalized. As part of a flexible benefits package, Green Chimneys also allows employees to contribute unused sick time to a “sick bank” that is available to co-workers with serious illnesses who have exhausted their sick time accrual.
Employee Growth and Development
Green Chimneys School offers a variety of training opportunities designed to enhance employees’ personal and professional development and provides support to employees who wish to attend off-site workshops and conferences. Employees are eligible for tuition assistance and receive a salary increase upon completion of their degree. Additionally, Green Chimneys participates in the Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program and many employees are eligible for loan forgiveness after five years of service. Green Chimneys has also developed a relationship with Mercy College to extend significant tuition discounts to employees and offer some courses right on campus.
Work-Life Balance
Green Chimneys offers onsite daycare, before- and after-school programs and a summer camp at which employees receive discounted rates for their children and can make payments in installments on a pre-tax basis using the agency’s dependent care spending account. Employees’ children are also eligible for partial or complete scholarships based on need. True to its family-centered philosophy, Green Chimneys also provides support to employees during times of need. For example, the school sponsored a raffle to raise money for an employee who lost her house in a fire and makes temporary housing available to new staff just moving to the area.
Employee Recognition
Green Chimneys’ rich tradition of hosting events and celebrations affords numerous opportunities to recognize employee achievements. One example is the annual Thanksgiving program, during which the school’s children express their thanks to the staff. Afterward, members of the Board of Directors serve the staff, children, and guests. Employees also receive shirts for service recognition, restaurant gift certificates for going above the call of duty and cash recognition for service excellence. As part of its wildlife program, Green Chimneys rehabilitates injured birds of prey. As a unique way of acknowledging a staff member or resident’s significant life event, the agency holds a special ceremony during which a rehabilitated bird is returned to the wild.
The Bottom Line
The sense of community fostered by Green Chimneys is evident in its highly committed employees, who truly believe they can make a difference in a child’s life. Staff turnover has decreased by 50 percent over the past six years, employee grievances are rare and half of the school’s new hires in 2004 came from employee referrals. By providing a work environment that brings out the best in its employees, Green Chimneys School demonstrates that working together, everybody wins.