The winners of the 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.
#9 The Granite Group
Wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating, cooling, water and propane supplies.
President and CEO: Bill Condron
Years in Business: 49 (22 in NH)
Full-Time Employees: 572 (290 in NH)
Part-time/Temporary or Seasonal Employees: 24 (Benefits offered)
Years on List: 2
Address: 6 Storrs St., Concord, NH 03301
Website: thegranitegroup.com
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures:
My manager is interested in my well-being: 99% agree
I can keep a reasonable balance between work and personal life: 98% agree
While The Granite Group has hundreds of employees spread across 45 locations, the executive team works to keep those teams well-connected. Executives spend significant time on the road to visit each location and listen to employees. Since the pandemic started, both the CEO and COO continue to pay visits to thank those who must still work onsite.
Branch managers are treated as CEOs for their own location and are empowered to make decisions to act in the best interest of their own company, including to determine how funding is allocated. Examples are a branch manager can opt to employ fewer team members but pay the fewer employees more. Another branch manager decided to rent out part of an unused parking lot to generate additional revenue.
Appreciation is part of the culture. On milestone anniversaries, employees choose a gift from a catalogue and receive a personalized booklet with pictures and congratulatory messages from their manager and fellow workers. And, two employees, one team member and one manager who best exemplify the company’s core values receive the company’s CORE Award at the Annual Meeting, which includes a $2,500 award. And twice a year, every team member receives a note card and a $5 gift card that they must gift to another team member with a note of thanks for a job well done.
Salespeople can work remotely, and flextime is available to other employees to deal with family issues. Spouses can call or visit HR at any time with questions and are also welcomed at all benefits meetings.