Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, M. Holland Co. adapted its business practices and policies to protect the health and safety of its employees — or Mployees, as they're called.
The thermoplastic resins distributor of Northbrook, Ill., shipped out IT equipment, including keyboards, mouses and monitors, to all Mployees within a days' notice after making the call to close the offices for safety. More than 150 workstations have been distributed.
M. Holland added training on Microsoft Teams for everyone to warm up to the new virtual technology. The company initiated a monthly internet stipend and sent out $300 gift cards for Mployees to purchase home office equipment to make working from home more efficient and comfortable.
M. Holland created a Coronavirus Action Team to make recommendations throughout the pandemic. Mployees volunteered to 3D print face masks and shields for front-line workers.
It added coronavirus guidelines to its already generous leave policies for employees who were sick or caring for others, including children displaced by school closures, as well as flexible work schedules.
Internal communication efforts have increased for real-time updates and transparency. Virtual happy hours and company trivia sessions became a way for Mployees to socialize from afar. "No Meeting Fridays" were enacted to encourage Mployees to keep Fridays free of meetings and combat "Zoom fatigue."
M. Holland ranks No. 4 on Plastics News' Best Places to Work for suppliers. The company has 256 employees in the United States and Canada.
M. Holland is a family-owned company — run by CEO and President Ed Holland — and it extends that bond down to its employees, where they are treated like family members.
"We share a unique culture that celebrates the strengths of each individual and strives to provide the foundation, support and opportunities Mployees need to be successful in their daily jobs and lead rewarding careers," the company said in its Best Places to Work survey.
The company previously made PN's Best Places to Work list in 2018, 2019 and 2020, as well as the 2019 and 2020 Best Places to Work lists by Crain's Chicago Business, a sister publication of PN.
Employees are acknowledged for their hard work through various awards programs. The annual MPact Awards recognizes employees' achievements from around the company. In 2019, they were recognized at a formal banquet and the highest sales performers celebrated with a trip to Mexico.
On-the-Spot Awards are points given from managers to employees for a job well done. The points can be redeemed online for gift cards to restaurants, stores, theaters, charities and more. As well, team members can give each other High-Fives, which are displayed on M. Holland's intranet portal.
During the PN Executive Forum virtual ceremony for the Best Places to Work awards, Holland said he is most proud of how the team has reacted to what came at them this past year.
He said M. Holland is the best place to work because of "the great people who have chosen to be part of what we're building."