This article was originally published on September 20, 2023, and updated on September 11, 2024.
For the second year in a row, Ashcroft was named a Top Workplace in Western Connecticut by Hearst Media Services. Notably, Ashcroft is the only manufacturer on the list of 55 winners.
This year, the company also received recognition as a 2024 national Top Workplace in Manufacturing award winner. Out of the 89 national winners, Ashcroft was the only Connecticut-based company to earn the Top Workplaces title. We are incredibly proud of these accomplishments because they tell the world what we already know: Ashcroft is a wonderful place to work.
As VP of Human Resources, I lead the Company’s HR Team and strategy initiatives. I recently answered some questions to shed some light on what exactly makes Ashcroft such a wonderful place to work. Read my replies to get a better understanding of what you can expect as an Ashcroft employee.
This award is based on employee feedback. What do you think is the driving factor for how your employees feel about Ashcroft?
There are so many aspects of our work environment that our employees appreciate. First and foremost, we strive to be a place where our employees feel welcomed, heard and valued. Our culture of collaboration, respect and teamwork drives our success and is our greatest strength. Here, the phrase “win as a team” is more than just words, it’s how we do business.
How Ashcroft employees describe the culture.
What are some of the ways you show your appreciation to employees?
We have many programs in place that focus on rewards and recognition for:
- Large achievements (sales, service, and tenure)
- Small wins
- Peer-to-peer acknowledgment for going above and beyond to satisfy customers or help a colleague
- LEAN initiatives that help drive continuous improvement
Plus, we make regular gestures of appreciation with many employee events and even something as simple as passing out ice cream during hot summer days.
On a larger scale, every employee has the opportunity for professional growth and development. We provide comprehensive education and training, offer tuition reimbursement and encourage promotion from within.
What kind of feedback do you get from union employees who work in your manufacturing plants about their experiences working for Ashcroft?
We work very closely with our union representatives and continuously collaborate to provide competitive pay and benefits, and a great work experience to our union employees. Together, we have become a workplace of distinction delivering the best products to our customers.
The best feedback we can get is illustrated through our employee referral program. The fact that so many employees refer candidates to Ashcroft speaks volumes. Our employees love where they work and encourage others to be part of the organization.
How do you promote a balanced and flexible work environment?
Ashcroft supports our employees in their efforts to maintain a balance between their work responsibilities and their personal goals. We have programs that support family and caregiving and help employees thrive in and outside of work and have maintained a hybrid schedule to enable many employees to work from home two days a week.
How do you ensure an environment of diversity and inclusion?
We make sure that everyone at Ashcroft has a voice, feels valued, and is welcome to participate in any of the numerous programs and committees we have established to encourage connections among our employees. We foster an open-door policy that enables all employees to share suggestions and ideas with executives. We also have “all hands” events where everyone is invited to hear company news from the leadership team and be recognized in front of their peers for a job well done.
Is Ashcroft active in the community?
We are a global company that is committed to giving back to the local communities where we conduct our operations. In Connecticut, for example, we actively support giving and volunteerism through our relationship with organizations like the Sterling House Community Center, the Center for Family Justice, the Stratford Chamber of Commerce and the Bridgeport Regional Business Council (BRBC). Here our employees proudly participate in fundraising events and food drives and volunteer their time to support the programs offered to support Connecticut families in need.
What are your sustainability and governance practices?
Ashcroft is firmly committed to sustainability and holds itself accountable to both global and local partners. We are consistently looking for opportunities to minimize our energy consumption, enhance the efficiency of our manufacturing processes and cut down on waste.
This commitment is important to our customers, our employees, and Ashcroft itself. We're rapidly evolving our products and technologies to cater to both established and emerging markets. It's an exhilarating and fulfilling place to work!
Join the Ashcroft team!
Now that you know a little more about what makes Ashcroft a Top Workplace in Connecticut, I invite you to learn more about our company’s position and history as an industry leader and explore the opportunities that may be a good match for your skills.