Dow Corning Among Best Workplaces In Europe

26-06-2008: Dow Corning has been named as 'Best Place to Work' in three European countries within 12 months, earning recognition as company where trust, respect, fairness and camaraderie are high on the agenda, as well as commitment to support employees' career development.

"Hiring and retaining skilled employees is becoming more challenging in the chemical industry and in Europe, as companies depend on innovation and the next generation of leaders, while competing in a global business," commented Klaus Hoffmann, Dow Corning's European Area President.

"Today, people want to work where they can have a rewarding career and a balance between work and their personal life," says Hoffmann. "We believe that investing in talent is worthwhile for both the employee and for the company, and paves the way for sustainable competitiveness."

A culture of innovation, global teams, international job assignments and flexible work options such as home offices or flex-time arrangements are among the incentives Dow Corning offers to attract and retain employees. Health is also considered a key component of employee well-being with an array of employee incentives ranging from non-smoking programs, fitness facilities, healthy food, and participation in local sports teams.

The Great Place to Work® Institute and Capital ranked Dow Corning number 33 in the 2008 list of Germany's top 100 best places to work, among 252 participants. More than 90 percent of Dow Corning employees confirmed that "this is a very good place to work."

In the UK, Dow Corning was named as one of the Top 50 Best Places to Work by the Great Place to Work® Institute UK and the Financial Times. - The only chemical company to be recognized for good employment practices. Employees said they "trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with".

In Belgium, Dow Corning was the only industrial company to be among the top 10 companies listed by the Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School and the Great Place to Work® Institute Europe in 2007.