"The intention of these awards is to find organizations whose workplace practices help to make the world a better place," said Judi Neal, Ph.D., ASAW executive director. "Our goal is to transfer the knowledge gained by these outstanding companies into the general business community so that others can learn from their examples."

Thirty-five companies from 11 countries have been honored in the last five years. These include The Body Shop (United Kingdom), The Times of India (India), Elcoteq Communications Technology GmbH (Germany) and Hearthstone Homes (United States).

The due date for applications is June 1, 2007. For further information or to receive an application, contact Elisa Mallis, chair of the selection committee at elisa@spiritatwork.org, or visit the Association for Spirit at Work website, www.spiritatwork.org.

This annual awards program recognizes companies around the world that have implemented specific policies, programs or practices that nurture spirituality inside their organizations.

This award was inspired by the work of Willis Harman, PhD (1919-1997) who was a visionary thinker, futurist and social scientist who continuously articulated the possibility for humankind to transcend the limits of out-moded thinking. The award honors organizations that are living examples of Willis Harman’s vision that business will play a major role in transforming social consciousness.

About the Association for Spirit at Work

The Association for Spirit at Work is a non-profit association of people and organizations who are interested in the study and/or practice of spirituality in the workplace. The mission of the Association for Spirit at Work is to provide community, information, and education, for those who are integrating their work and their spirituality and for those who are called to support societal transformation through organizational development and change. For more information, visit www.spiritatwork.org.

International Spirit at Work Conference

The sixth annual International Spirit at Work Awards Ceremony, and third annual International Spirit at Work Conference, will be held October 19-21, 2007 at the Simpsonwood Center, near Atlanta, Georgia. This is the only conference that offers workshops by the CEOs, executives and internal change agents who have received the International Spirit at Work Award. It is an opportunity to learn from the organizational leaders and pioneers. For additional information, visit www.spiritatwork.org.

About Spirituality in the Workplace

"Spirituality in the workplace" means that employees find nourishment for both the vertical and horizontal dimensions of their spirituality at work. Examples of vertical organizational spirituality include: meditation time at the beginning of meetings, retreat or spiritual training time set aside for employees, appropriate accommodation of employee prayer practices, and openly asking questions to test if the company's actions are aligned with higher meaning and purpose. Companies with a strong sense of the horizontal will generally demonstrate some or all of the following: caring behaviors among co-workers; a social responsibility orientation; strong service commitments to customers; environmental sensitivity; and a significant volume of community service activities. The vertical and horizontal dimensions are well integrated so that motivations (sourced from the vertical) and actions (horizontal manifestations) are explicitly linked. The International Spirit at Work Awards honor organizations that are financially sound and effective, as well as focused on greater meaning and purpose. When done properly, spirit at work enhances the overall value of the organization.