Raymond Corp employees with the awards.

Raymond Corp, of Greene, New York, has won two Central New York Employer of Choice awards for best practices in human resource policies.

Ryamond's human resources vice president Steve VanNostrand said the company was delighted, as a first-time entrant, to receive the awards.

"We recognise that employees who enjoy a [work-life] balance are happier, healthier and more productive - a win-win situation for everyone."

The first award was for Raymond's "best practices in occupational health/safety/security". The award recognised the company's safety program, which included providing online access to company policies and procedures and return-to-work options for employees with occupational and non-occupational illnesses and injuries.

The second award, the Donlon Award, granted when judges are impressed by a specific company behaviour or program, was given to Raymond for best practices in family workplace policies based on its "exemplary corporate citizenship".

Raymond claims it has maintained its small-town, family-owned origins despite being part of a large, multinational group, Toyota Industries Corp.

"The organisation has made a significant financial donation to support construction of a new fire station in the village of Greene," a Raymond statement said.

The company, its dealers and employees donated USD100,000 to Raymond employees affected by flooding in the Southern Tier.

The Southern Tier is the counties of New York State, west of the Catskill Mountains, along the northern border of Pennsylvania. It does not cover counties in the far west of the state.

The Manufacturers' Association of Central New York sponsored the seventh CNY Employer of Choice awards. The awards were organised by the Central New York Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management and Syracuse United Way Success by 6.

Raymond was one of 15 companies nominated to receive the best practice and Donlon awards.