The Association of Washington Business (AWB) presented 18 members with its annual Better Workplace Awards at its 2006 Legislative Reception Feb. 8. The awards honor companies that are innovators in workplace safety, job training and advancement, and benefit and compensation programs.

AWB’s Better Workplace Awards for 2005 recognize member businesses, both small and large, that go the extra mile to provide a family-friendly work environment, promote safety and enable employees to achieve their best. “These awards are given to dispel the myth that most businesses do not care about its employees,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “So many companies provide extra employee services it is almost too difficult to award only 19 of them.”

An independent panel of judges reviews all of the nominees and decides who gets the award based on several factors. AWB also gives Continuous Commitment awards to companies that have won the award in previous years and have continued to be innovators in providing a better workplace.

Tacoma-based Sprague Pest Solutions received honors for combining job training with a commitment to “remaining flexible so employees can meet family needs by developing a program that has made it a leader in its industry in continuous job training and adult education,” according to AWB.