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.
Alene Candles
Contract manufacturer of custom-designed fragranced candles.
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures:
My manager is interested in my well-being: 90% agree
I know what my organization is trying to achieve strategically: 90% agree
President and CEO: Rodney Harl
Years in Business: 26
Full-Time Employees: 404 (204 in NH)
Part-time/Temporary or Seasonal Employees: 600 (250 in NH) (Benefits provided)
Years on List: 2
Address: 51 Scarborough Lane, Milford
Website: alene.com
Alene Candles is a company that listens to employees. Based on employee feedback, it instituted Alene Gives Back, a program that includes giving workers eight hours per year of paid time off to volunteer; college tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 annually and a system so employees can donate unused vacation time to other employees who need more.
Through the Stay Program, Alene Candles randomly asks 10 employees each month to take a stay survey. Questions include: How do you like to be recognized? If you could change something about your job, what would it be? What are some of your talents that are not being used in your current role?
Employee safety is a priority. Employees receive eye protection and safety shoe vouchers. In addition, Alene partnered with local retailer, County Stores, so employees don’t have to spend money upfront and wait to be reimbursed.
The company also encourages employees to get vaccinated and offers four hours of paid time off to do so. To help with vaccine hesitancy, they asked workers to submit their questions about the vaccine and then had Dr. Maria Padin from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health answer their questions during an interview with President and CEO Rodney Harl. The company then distributed written responses in both English and Spanish. After the information was distributed, Alene saw a 7% increase in employee vaccinations. As a reward, employees who show their vaccine cards to HR receive gift cards.
Current Issue - May 2024