Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, the top private employer in the Richmond area, won national and local awards yesterday for workplace excellence and flexibility.

The academic medical center and five other businesses won the Alfred P. Sloan Award for business excellence in workplace flexibility during a morning event at the Greater Richmond Convention Center that drew 350 people.

The Sloan Award honors employers who score in the top 20th percentile in a national contest for flexible work schedules and workplace leadership.

"Richmond is a great place to do business, and now we know it's a great city for workplace flexibility, too," Greater Richmond Chamber President and Chief Executive James W. Dunn said.

The other winners were hospital operator Bon Secours Richmond Health System, credit-card company Capital One Financial Corp., insurer Hilb Rogal & Hobbs Co., career management firm Lee Hecht Harrison and ice skating firm Rink Management Services Corp.

Old Dominion Security Co. received an honorable mention.

The Sloan Awards are given by the When Work Works, a project sponsored by Families and Work Institute, the Center for Workforce Preparation and the Twiga Foundation.

VCU Health Systems, which employed the equivalent of 7,082 full-time workers as of Jan. 1, was also named an employer of choice in the Employer All Star Awards presented by the Greater Richmond Chamber and the Richmond Human Resource Management Association.

"It's a point of validation," said Maria Curran, vice president of human resources and family-care services for VCU Health Systems. "I think it reinforces that our corporate culture is one that cares for employees."

VCU Health Systems offers more than 400 programs and benefits to employees, including on-site adult day care, sick-child care and tuition assistance, Curran said.

Other All Star Awards winners, based on company size: