The recognition and celebration of employees is an integral part of a thriving company because it acknowledges the hard work put into every step of a company’s process. Justin Gary of Maxair Mechanical, LLC and Becky Wiseman of PM Contracting, Inc. understand the importance of employee recognition and see the positive side effects of it everyday. Not only do their companies continue to grow, their employees do too.
Although recognition is an important part of a company’s culture, it can be done in many different ways. Justin Gary explained that they look for certain attributes in their workers such as, “being humble, hungry, and smart. This means thinking about the team over yourself, having a drive, and focusing more on emotional intelligence over intellectual.” Gary acknowledged that there are certain attributes that Maxair Mechanical looks for because there are certain skills that just cannot be taught. They can focus on teaching employees about A/C, heating, or plumbing but they cannot teach someone how to have a passion for the work.
PM Contracting focuses on connection and leadership in their employee recognition. Wiseman explained, “We have the belief that we are all capable and called to be leaders, therefore we want to build our entire team up and keep the family vibe. There has to be a good balance, and we believe that no one should miss out on their important milestones.” Their familial bond comes into play when they can share events such as Christmas parties, corn hole competitions, and shuffleboard.
Although both companies celebrate their work team as a whole, they also see how important it is to give individual recognition. Justin Gary implements intentional time in meetings to allow workers to brag about their peers. It allows for leadership and all other positions to compliment anyone who went above and beyond.
Due to these intentional steps that Maxair Mechanical and PM Contracting have taken, both companies have seen benefits to employees and the company. Wiseman emphasized, “PM does not have a lot of turnover. Although work is hectic, others from other companies often ask if PM is hiring. We truly believe PM is one of the best companies to work with.” Justin Gary added that, “it reinforces what we want in our culture and from our team: positive reinforcement. We want to focus on the positive and drip that message throughout the company.” Speaking with Wiseman and Gary, it’s evident that they have a passion for employee recognition because they see how important it is to their workers. It shows their employees that no matter how small the task is, they see the hard work and appreciate it.
Megan Sawchek
