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We provide our employees with competitive compensation and benefits.
Life at the Academies
At the National Academies, we don’t wear lab coats and there are no laboratories in our workplace. But we are scientists, engineers, doctors, and lay people all working together for the good of our nation.
Over 1,100 employees support the work of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine with more than 4,800 distinguished leaders and 5,700 experts volunteering their time to serve on committees, plan and participate in seminars, review documents, and assist the work of the National Academies. Members, volunteers, and employees help to address a variety of the nation's issues.
Most of our work is undertaken at the request of federal agencies or mandated by Congress. Private industry, foundations, and state and local governments also sponsor activities.
Every activity is given scrupulous attention in an environment independent of government, special interests, and sponsoring groups. We play an important role in public-policy decision-making on scientific and technology issues.
Core Values
We pride ourselves on addressing scientific and technical issues in a fair and balanced manner. This approach is equally important in our working relationships.
Our values define what we stand for as an organization and as individuals. They guide our behaviors and form the foundation of our commitments to our customers, volunteers, members, employees, and communities.
Commitment to Excellence
We are committed to excellence in all aspects of our operation and understand the importance of our work and its impact on the world. To accomplish this:
- we work collaboratively across functions to achieve our common goals;
- we make every effort to deliver, on time and within our business plans and guidelines, the commitments that we make to each other and to each customer;
- we empower employees by promoting personal responsibility and accountability along with creative thinking, innovation and informed risk-taking in all our activities;
- we welcome change and seek to marry improvements in process and product to the traditions that have served us well for many years; and
- we aspire at all times to do our jobs better in every dimension.
Respect for People and Ideas
Creating a respectful and meaningful workplace, characterized by honest, direct, and relevant communication is important at the National Academies. We are committed to communicating definable and measurable goals. We act with integrity and engender trust in both colleagues and customers. We honor diversity, individuality, and personal and professional differences. We conduct our business with the highest professional and ethical standards and treat all resources entrusted to us as if they were our own.
Imbuing our workplace with a sense that all are valued is important. Listening to ideas and employing them when possible, including others, and sharing credit, are powerful ways to convey respect. People who feel valued and respected are willing to extend themselves for the good of the team. We strive for a collaborative work environment that values and respects the work of everyone.
Honesty, Generosity, and Equity
What is meant by “honesty, generosity, and equity in working with staff, volunteers, and sponsors” in the National Academies’ workplace?
- Honesty — working with people in a truthful manner
- Generosity — providing assistance wherever and whenever possible
- Equity — is providing everyone with equal access, fair treatment, and opportunity to success.
A Supportive Work Environment
Diversity
The National Academies’ Statement on Diversity and Inclusion:
To promote diversity and inclusion in the sciences, engineering, and medicine, we are committed to increasing the diversity of the National Academies’ staff, members, and volunteers to reflect the populations we serve. We pledge to cultivate an environment and culture that promotes inclusion and values respectful participation of all individuals who help advance the mission of the institution.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that is consistent with equal employment, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, medical condition for which a person has been rehabilitated or cured, marital status, family responsibilities, genetic information, political affiliation, personal appearance, matriculation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.
Work Experience
While we cannot measure the intangible value of work experience, we recognize that we all have different needs, work styles, and preferences. Many of us are challenged by continuously changing priorities in our professional and personal life.
We respect the personal worth and dignity of all our employees. We promote a work environment supporting diversity, equal opportunity, and learning. We recognize and value people for their individual skills, knowledge, abilities, experiences, and contributions.
We often hear throughout the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine that we are unique. We are, and so is our work! There are not many places where you can work alongside a Nobel Prize winner or discuss topics with a world-renowned research leader. Even if employees do not have this direct contact, each employee contributes every day to our ability to impact the policy decisions and direction of our nation.
Work/Life Balance
Balancing work and life responsibilities is important. Balance takes into consideration our daily achievements at work, being able to laugh, enjoying what we do, and nurturing our relationships with those who are special to us especially our family and our friends. It is not an easy task, and it is sometimes difficult to manage.
At the National Academies we work to provide tools in this endeavor. The outcome for the individual is more control, value, and balance both professionally and personally. The outcome for the organization is higher performance from more skilled, accountable, and committed employees and managers.
We understand that managing the demands of a busy career and an active life outside the workplace can be difficult. Personal leave days, access to fitness facilities, an employee and family assistance program, and flexible work arrangements provide employees with tools they can use to help bring balance to their lives.
The Rewards
Compensation
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine's policy on compensation strives to ensure base pay is competitive with the marketplace. Our policy also demands that we consider internal equity for similar jobs within the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. We reward the performance of individual employees via the merit cycle process and promotional increases.
Because of the diversity of our employees and the nature of our work, when comparing ourselves to the marketplace, we evaluate the compensation practices of a variety of employers.
Benefits
Offering Diverse, Comprehensive, Affordable Benefit Choices
We strive to provide benefit options and opportunities that allow employees to mold their benefits around their needs. We continue to expand the flexibility of this approach.
The base benefit structure is a key source of protection for our employees and their families. Base benefits include medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, insurance, and disability benefits. Retirement and savings benefits are provided to help you build a financially secure future. A wide choice of investment funds help our employees accomplish their goals under these program. In addition, Academies-provided holidays, paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and generous education assistance ensure a healthy work/life balance.
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