The 2021 class of 25 Best Companies to Work For is exceptional. And that exceptionalism was especially apparent during the past 18 months of pandemic.
DEW Construction
Provides construction management, design/build and general contracting services.
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures:
There are real opportunities here for meaningful career and professional advancement: 100% agree
Our management values inputs from all levels: 100% agree
President and CEO: Don Wells
Years in Business: 24 (9 in NH)
Full-Time Employees: 130 (40 in NH)
Years on List: 1
Address: 17 Elm St., Keene
Website: DEWconstruction.com
DEW’s motto is “family first,” so if an employee is dealing with illness in the family, DEW may provide them with additional paid time off or pay for a hotel if they need to travel. Employees can accrue up to four weeks of vacation and also receive seven paid holidays and six sick days. And the construction firm never denies vacation time, even when it poses a hardship for the company.
Hourly employees receive bonuses, even in a tough year, and, if there are funds, so do salaried employees.
Managers reward employees who go above and beyond with gift cards or a gift meaningful to the employee. (The company awarded $1,000 to employees on one difficult job site.) And to make working at DEW fun, the company provides onsite BBQs and spontaneous free lunches, as well as summer picnics and staff lunches around holidays.
Mentoring is a big part of the DEW culture. Project engineers spend at least six months working in the field as a laborer or carpenter’s helper. The company sends superintendents and those in operations to outside leadership development classes, including superintendent training through Associated Builder and Contractors, VT/NH.
Among the company’s many perks are: paying 80% of health, dental and vision insurance; paying 100% of short-term and long-term disability insurance; $100 gas cards for those who regularly participate in wellness visits; and an onsite gym.