THE BUSINESS OF EMPLOYMENT

By Jason James

Developing a Culture

to Attract and Retain Top Talent

Maintaining and recruiting employees has always been a tough task for companies, but the Great Resignation has only heightened the challenge.

Mechanical One, a plumbing and air conditioning (HVAC) company, was launched in July 2021 during the midst of the pandemic. The HVAC industry isn’t exactly known for an employee-first culture, which proved an opportunity to create a company that makes its team members a top priority.

Despite launching Mechanical One during a challenging job market, when many employees have chosen not to return to the office while others have chosen to resign, the company has quickly grown and continues to develop its team each day. Prospective employees are attracted to the company because of its benefits and resources to help them grow and the culture that allows teammates to support each other in their development.

One scorching Florida summer day, I noticed a teammate hard at work on his hands and knees and I was overcome with appreciation for this employee, later to realize it was his birthday. I had no idea because the team member never mentioned his birthday or requested any time off, but instead showed up at work full of passion and ready to get the job done.

At that moment, I knew I wanted to invest my resources into giving back to my team members because they truly deserved it. After analyzing my budget, I realized I had the ability to not only give away one house to an employee, mortgagefree, but to give away two.

During our first annual company meeting, we shared new employee incentives launching in 2022, including a new health care package, access to mental health resources, and financial education courses. We also shared the exciting news that the company will be gifting two brand new homes to two of its current team members as an expression of gratitude for their hard work and dedication.

The company was created with the intent of building a culture where employees can increase their quality of life and achieve prosperity. For anyone regardless of where they work, they most likely consider their job to be a huge part of their lives. To retain and attract employees, it’s important to create an environment where employees feel appreciated and valued. At Mechanical One, our team members show up each day ready to give their all. This is because we all share a mutual appreciation for one another, and ultimately, that is why people stay.

Team members who feel they are taken care of will enjoy coming to work every day and will be less likely to leave. Being a strong workplace leader first comes from within. You need to have a passion for your business and your employees, and you must be dedicated to putting them first. Acknowledge your team members and the incredible hard work they put in each day. Always express your gratitude and find ways to JASON JAMES Jason James is the president of Central Florida-based Mechanical One, a company offering plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning services, www.mechanicalone.com.

give back to them in any way possible to make their lives a little bit easier.

Along with the two-house giveaway, the company will also be rolling out a new robust health care plan for the entire team. Many companies in the plumbing and HVAC industry lack extensive health plans, which is why we made it a top priority to provide the team access to affordable health care, including mental health resources.

Good health care is something all employees seek but very few can find. Health care can be expensive, and for many, can be one of the largest financial burdens on a household. Businesses that want to attract top talent must understand how critical it is to offer good and affordable health care.

Additionally, to prioritize your team’s best interest, the mental health of each employee must be kept top of mind. Most people have their own struggles they deal with after hours, which is why it’s important to create a culture where teammates aren’t bringing their work stressors home with them. At Mechanical One, we offer mental health resources so employees can get the help they need, including therapy, at no cost.

My company has even more tools in store to guide each team member on the road to prosperity. We are offering employees access to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University at no cost to help each family to learn how to spend wisely, manage debt and live a life with financial freedom.

Attracting and retaining employees can be a real challenge for many companies, especially in the current climate. The key to having a strong team is to show your employees how cherished they are to your organization and to give back in any way you know how. We’re excited for our new rollouts and home gifting, but we’re