WASHINGTON, March 20 /PRNewswire/ — Gallup proudly announces that 20 distinguished organizations will receive the 2008 Gallup Great Workplace Award. Based on the most rigorous workplace research ever conducted, recipients are being honored because their employee engagement results demonstrate they have the most productive and engaged workforces in the world.

This year’s winning organizations are global in representation, and nine elite organizations have the distinction of being two-time winners. There were 12 winners of last year’s inaugural award.

The 2008 Gallup Great Workplace Award recipients are:

ABC Supply (second-year winner)

Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd.

ASB Bank

B&Q (second-year winner)

Bharti Airtel Limited

Blue Care Network of Michigan (second-year winner)

Borgess Health

Campbell Soup Company (second-year winner)

CarMax, Inc.

Country Inns & Suites By Carlson

General Growth Properties

Hendrick Health System (second-year winner)

Marriott Vacation Club International (second-year winner)

Qwest Communications Mass Markets

Self Regional Healthcare

Siam Commercial Bank

St. Joseph Health System (second-year winner)

Standard Chartered Bank Hong Kong Limited

Stryker (second-year winner)

Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. (second-year winner)

“When compared to the millions of workgroups we have studied around the world, these organizations have worked tirelessly to create an environment that values people,” said Tom Rath, who leads Gallup’s Workplace and Leadership Consulting practice. “The winners of this award have established a new global standard for engaging people that goes far beyond trivial perks to ensure that each employee has an emotional connection to the company’s mission and growth.”

The Gallup Great Workplace Award is based on two components: database performance and financial performance. Applicants’ results are compared across Gallup’s renowned workplace research database composed of millions of work teams in more than 120 countries. A panel of workplace experts reviews each organization’s portfolio, which includes quantitative and qualitative components, and the award-winning organizations are then named.

Recipients will be presented with their awards at the Gallup Summit 2008, which will take place May 13-15, 2008. During the Summit, Great Workplace Award winners will present the best practices they applied to their workplaces and the improved business results they achieved through building an engaged workforce.

More information about the award and the summit can be found at: http://www.gallup.com/consulting/25312/Gallup-Great-Workplace-Award.aspx

About Gallup

Gallup has studied human nature and behavior for more than 70 years. Gallup’s reputation for delivering relevant, timely, and visionary research on what people around the world think and feel is the cornerstone of the organization. Gallup employs many of the world’s leading scientists in management, economics, psychology, and sociology, and our consultants assist leaders in identifying and monitoring behavioral economic indicators worldwide. Gallup consultants also help organizations boost organic growth by increasing customer engagement and maximizing employee productivity through measurement tools, coursework, and strategic advisory services. Gallup’s 2,000 professionals deliver services at client organizations, through the Web, at Gallup University’s campuses, and in 40 offices around the world.