The winners of the 2020 Best Companies to Work For competition are a testament that no matter what is going on in the economy or the world, a strong culture is foundational to surviving tough times. Taking care of your employees in good times means they will have your back when a crisis occurs.
#22 Alene Candles
Contract manufacturer of custom-designed fragranced candles
President and CEO: Rodney Harl
Years in Business: 25
Full-Time Employees: 388 (208 in NH)
Part-time/Temporary or Seasonal Employees: 500 (250 in NH) (Benefits provided)
Years on List: 1
Address: 51 Scarborough Lane, Milford, NH 03055
Website: alene.com
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures:
My company has a culture of diversity and inclusion. They treat all employees fairly regardless of age, gender, race, religion, etc.: 92% agree
I would like to be working for this organization one year from today: 91% agree
During the past four years, Alene Candles has focused on practicing “conscious leadership.” Following principles from the book, “The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership,” they have a mentorship program for supervisors and managers to take full responsibility for their actions and decisions and engage in upfront communication rather than gossip.
As part of this endeavor, any employee can participate in meditation sessions held at Alene twice a week.
It is part of an ongoing evolution of the company’s culture. Alene Candles recently rolled out a new skills block training program for manufacturing workers. Each position has several training tiers and after an employee masters a skill, they receive a rate increase. Manufacturing employees work four 10-hour days, have three-day weekends and can earn overtime during the busy season.
The company offers Health Reimbursement Accounts that pay employees $1,250 to $3,750 annually to offset medical deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Through the Alene Gives Back program, employees can be paid for up to eight hours of community service.
Other ways they show appreciation for employees include giving $1,000 bonuses for a successful new employee referral, a personal letter from the president on one’s anniversary as well a gift of their choice on key anniversaries, and spot bonuses of $25 to $500 when employees go above and beyond.
The company’s Culture Club provides employees with fun activities, giveaways and contests, including pumpkin carving and holiday ornament contests with prizes, Earth Day clean-up contests and visits from an ice cream truck.