Finding a new job takes time, energy and planning. Beyond thinking about the type of work you want and your career goals, it is equally important to consider the type of company you want to work for. Before you apply for any opportunity, it's good practice to do a little research on the employer that is advertising the position. One thing to look for is whether the company has a people-first culture.
For instance, Ashcroft, a global leader in pressure and temperature measurement instrumentation, was recently recognized as a national 2024 Manufacturing Top Workplaces award winner. This honor is given to companies voted as an employer of choice by its employees. Ashcroft was the only Connecticut-based company to receive this national recognition. Last year, the company won a regional Top 2023 Top Workplace in Western Connecticut.
Read this article to learn more about the Top Workplaces program, developed by Energage LLC, what makes Ashcroft an employer of choice and the qualities to look for in your next employer.
Basic requirements of a people-first organization
At a minimum, you can gauge a company's commitment to its employees by assessing their compensation package, which could include:
- A competitive base pay or hourly wage
- Generous paid time off policy
- Flexible work schedules
- Comprehensive health insurance covering medical, dental and vision
- A retirement savings plan with company-matching contributions
While these benefits are essential for attracting your talent, they may not set a company apart from its competitors or significantly impact long-term employee satisfaction and retention. However, a lack of these benefits could indicate issues with recruitment and retention strategies within a company.
Qualities to look for in a top workplace.
The Top-Workplace program was developed by Energage LLC, a company with an 18-year history of surveying employees and celebrating organizations that have built a people-first workplace culture. Winners of this award are being recognized based on responses to a confidential employee survey that is conducted by an impartial third party to find companies that rank highest in several areas. Here are just a few:
- A healthy company culture. Great workplaces have shifted their focus from getting the most out of their employees to giving back to their employees to ensure they are happy both professionally and personally.
On a professional level, Ashcroft gives employees the resources to learn and grow with onsite and online training, advancement opportunities, cross-functional team-building initiatives and volunteer outlets. We also recognize the importance of fun in the workplace and work-life balance for personal needs. That's why we plan many employee-focused events throughout the year and offer flexible work arrangements so employees can attend to personal business.
"One of the best things about being here is that I feel like I have the support and flexibility to do what I need to do for my job and my family." - Ashcroft employee
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Trustworthy leadership. According to Energage research, "83 percent of employees at Fortune 500 Best Companies to Work For® said their leadership lived out the same values expected of employees, making them more trustworthy." Having a management team that encourages professional development, actively engages with their employees, responds to constructive feedback, advocates a healthy company culture and intentionally looks for ways to make improvements, builds trust among the workforce.
There are numerous ways that Ashcroft's leadership builds trust among employees. In addition to being open and transparent in all company communications, they regularly solicit feedback through confidential employee surveys and maintain an open-door policy that enables employees to ask questions, state concerns or offer suggestions, You will also find them walking the halls of our 330,000 square foot facility to check in with employees directly. Plus, the CEO created a dedicated email box to ensure messages are not lost in his crowded inbox. These messages are delivered directly to and responded to in a timely matter. -
An innovative mindset. Energage explains, "Innovation is at the heart of any successful company. It inspires employees to do great work and contribute toward the greater good of the company." That's why companies that make employees feel safe to share ideas understand that the greatest innovations can come from the people who are on the front line, doing the day-to-day operations.
Ashcroft has been celebrating employee innovation for years. We created the "One Lean Idea" (AKA OLI awards) specifically for that purpose. The OLI awards recognize creative employee ideas to improve efficiency, reduce waste and add value. They are often suggested by the employee most closely involved in a process. There are monetary awards as well as recognition throughout the organization.
Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment.
In a 2023 article, Forbes reported that 88% of their portfolio company CEOs ranked providing a safe and healthy workplace as a top priority for maintaining a people-first culture. The article also underscored the importance of leadership, transparency and engagement, which align with the Energage findings.
Ashcroft is committed to having a safe and healthy work environment for our employees. We move beyond safety compliance and enhance the employee experience with a robust corporate wellness program.
Safety Training and Compliance
• Targeted safety-related training
• Employee education about safety in the workplace and at home
• Safety-related issue reporting process
• Regular safety inspections
• Safety recognition program
Health & Wellness
• Trained First Aid team
• Wellness rewards program
• Onsite health screenings and education events
• Discounts to approved wellness programs.
• Employee assistance program
Making time for fun.
At Ashcroft, we also encourage employees to participate in any or all of the year-round team-building activities, community outreach opportunities, and more. The list of events hosted by our Human Resources department is exhaustive, but some examples include:
- Holiday celebrations
- Chili cookoff content
- Mini golf tournament
- Mental health bingo
- Ice cream and Italian ice socials
- Food truck service
- Fitness challenges
- Scavenger hunts
Join our award-winning team!
There are many reasons why Ashcroft is a national Top Workplace winner and the only Connecticut-based company to make the list. But to truly understand what makes us special is something you have to experience yourself. Take a moment to explore opportunities and apply for an open position today.