When Springfield-based Environmental Works Inc. relocated its headquarters to 1455 E. Chestnut Expressway in December 2008, the move was made with employees' happiness in mind.
"At EWI, our people are the company," says President Robin Melton.
Associates now enjoy spacious office areas, a large conference room with a pull-down video screen, extensive storage areas and warehouse space.
The facility also includes a large break room with full kitchen and a furnished outdoor patio where associates can enjoy a break or lunch outdoors.
Because people are the company's most important asset, Melton and her team strive
to make the company a fun
and rewarding workplace where top performance is recognized
and rewarded appropriately.
"We strive for excellence and work hard, but at the end of the day, we believe it's important to enjoy ourselves, too," Melton says.
Case in point: For the company's 15th anniversary in 2007, Melton paid for each employee plus a guest - 84 people total - to vacation on a Royal Caribbean cruise.
The company presents myriad employee social events throughout the year, including an annual Christmas party, a fall family picnic, employee recognition lunches, bowling parties, float trips and after-work get-togethers.
Melton recognizes each employee's birthday with a personal greeting card and a $25 gift card, and she also gives employees Christmas gifts. In 2008, each employee was given a windbreaker/rain jacket and a camping lantern that can be powered by winding, car charging or electrical outlet.
On the more traditional side, the company offers 401(k) and 403(b) accounts, which are matched 50 percent up to 6 percent of compensation plus 25 percent for additional contributions of up to 10 percent of compensation, Melton says.
In addition, there is discretionary profit sharing depending on company performance.
Environmental Works pays more than half of full-time employees' health insurance premiums, and employees also can participate in the company wellness program.
Benefits include partial reimbursement for gym memberships, weight loss program classes, and aerobics, yoga or Pilates classes. Gift card incentives to Bass Pro Shops, Best Buy and Finish Line are awarded to employees who achieve specific wellness point levels.
In addition, free healthy snacks are available throughout the workweek, and the company pays for health education lunch-and-learn opportunities and employee health risk assessments.
All employees have the potential to earn bonuses, which average more than $1,000 annually, according to the company's Choice Employers survey, and tuition reimbursement is available for work-related continuing education.
"Environmental Works is a great place to work for so many reasons - the good working relationships of our people, our benefits, culture and atmosphere," says Marketing Manager Kassia Travers.
"We enjoy working with each other and we also like to have fun together."[[In-content Ad]]
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