Our View: The best business practices are employee-centric

It's tough to focus these days. Especially when so many things demand our attention.

The notifications feel endless—messages from co-workers, emails from customers, texts from family and friends, breaking news alerts, reminders for meetings and appointments. And in the barrage of pings and chimes, it's easy to lose sight of what really matters in business and in life.

Family and friends. Co-workers.

In a business world that runs non-stop, it's easy for people—employees—to feel unseen or unheard.

Disconnected.

Which is ironic, really, given the ever-growing connectedness of the world in which our businesses operate.

Still, the best companies find a way. They push though all the noise and work hard to ensure that their employees are not just seen and heard, but feel valued. These companies understand that the employees are the backbone that keeps the firm running smoothly and efficiently day in and day out. They're the face of the company for customers and the connection for most community members.

Proving that your employees are seen and heard, that's hard to do, especially with any level of authenticity or sincerity. And sure, there are plenty of companies that would be quick to say employees are their most valuable assets.

But the best companies prove it.

This year, nine companies did.

Our 2024 Best Places to Work program honored Ace Laboratories Inc; ChemSpec Ltd.; HB Chemical; the Kumho America Technical Center; Reed Rubber Products Inc.; The Rubber Group; Specification Rubber Products Inc.; Zeon Chemicals L.P. and Zochem L.L.C.

Each of these companies proved they take care of their employees with competitive pay, health benefits, 401(k)s and paid time off.

But they do even more. Read through the Q&As with each company and you'll see an emerging theme. They don't just treat their employees well, they treat them like family.

And it's the little things that matter in the end. Those events—the picnics and potlucks, family nights out and friendly gatherings for charity—and sincere displays of appreciation that make the biggest difference. Because they connect the employees to each other and their companies in meaningful ways. Ways that not only make a difference in the lives of the employees who embrace them, they make a difference in the community where the company has its roots.

Our Best Places to Work program proves that some of the smallest companies across the rubber industry can make the biggest impact, especially when they keep the focus firmly on the employees, who feel an awful like family.