Business Spotlight - Werner Electric Supply

Remaining True to the “Werner Way”

Werner Electric Supply is a people-first company. Employees are always first, which has become evident now more than ever. One of the inaugural certified companies in the Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace Initiative, Werner has gained a new perspective on how to identify opportunities that better support employees and their families.

With focus on this new perspective, we have been able to lay a foundation to build upon when combating countless struggles resulting from the unexpected COVID-19 crisis. This unprecedented time has put the team to the ultimate test of living up to being an employee friendly workplace.

We assembled a COVID-19 Task Force in which a detailed response plan was created in order to become well-versed in the ever-changing CDC guidelines. We immediately offered two additional weeks of paid benefit time to provide some peace of mind to employees in the event they were unable to work due to circumstances as a result of COVID-19. The option to work remotely for a majority of employees was offered and pursued, and new technology was implemented to accommodate the needs of these employees. There was still a small handful of roles that required onsite work in which we provided extra compensation through an Attendance Appreciation Program.

A crucial priority to Werner has been, and continues to be, the health and safety of our employees and their families. As a result, we rolled out a COVID-19 Plan and Guidelines policy which included detailed steps to follow if employees experience symptoms or have been exposed; what steps to take if employees are unable to work due to childcare needs; travel reporting and quarantine requirements and visitor expectations.

We restructured our facility to have designated breakrooms along with restrooms and entrances specific to each department; requested employees to sanitize common areas after use with provided supplies; provided masks; required social

distancing; and with the help of our counter teams, we were able to quickly move to curbside pickup to continue to support our customers’ needs, as well as provide safety to our employees and customers. We also issued a Self-Temperature Taking policy in which temperatures had to be taken prior to the employees beginning their shifts. rely on one another in a way continue to have the option to work remotely. The Werner Executive Team recently mailed out that sense of belonging and know they are valued. Through all the chaos, we also aim to keep our Wellness Program strong. Werner continues to offer education and tools to support the health and wellness of our employees. We regularly promote our EAP benefit and continue to ensure employees have 24/7 access to this free and confidential service. We’ve offered virtual lunch-and-learn opportunities on topics such as mental health and ergonomics in the home office environment. Employees also have the option to participate in virtual wellness challenges by linking their fitness

Another commitment was accommodating Werner has been supportive to employees adapting employees’ schedules as the routines of our to this “new norm” in a healthy way. It is important employees and their to Werner that employees families were quickly feel empowered to manage broken due to schools their time and avoid and childcare providers unnecessary stress when shutting down. For many, it comes to expectations this difficult time brought feelings of anxiousness and Through this, the around responsiveness. If employees are tied up with being overwhelmed. We implemented a Flex-Time Werner community another task or a different call, it is okay to answer the Guidelines policy to allow additional flexibility for became more message when employees have the time. Furthermore, our employees as well as guidance for our leaders. united than ever. we do not want employees to constantly feel that they And through this, the Werner have to be tied to their chair. community became more Employees are encouraged to united than ever. We were take occasional breaks and to forced to be vulnerable and not feel guilty about it. we never have before. The leadership and human Werner has not missed a beat in offering growth resources teams worked closely with employees on and development opportunities virtually. Werner’s their specific situations with empathy, flexibility and mentorship program, leadership training programs, creativity to find collaborative solutions for each and Diversity and Inclusion Initiative have gone employee. Approximately 75% of our employees uninterrupted. Virtual meetings and trainings have abruptly transitioned to work remotely and actually proven to be quite efficient and productive. In addition to safety and flexible work schedules, live up to being a certified Fox Cities Employee we have maintained many of the perks of being Friendly Workplace throughout the COVID-19 crisis. a Werner employee but in a virtual capacity. We An ongoing focus as we get to a new normal will continue to keep our Recognition Program alive be culture preservation and remaining true to our by using our online recognition platform, Kudos. unique “Werner Way” culture. vouchers to the Werner apparel store along with Contributed by: a handwritten thank you card expressing their Tiffany Schroeder appreciation to each employee in their functional Human Resources Manager area. Even though our team is not physically Werner Electric Supply together, it’s important for employees to still feel www.wernerelectric.com

tracking devices to our online wellness platform. The Werner team has and continues to proudly