The “Great Resignation” has become a pressing threat to companies, who have been witnessing a large number of their workforce leave. More companies are offering bonuses or higher pay to keep employees from leaving. One central Florida company believes they found the perfect hook to keep their workforce in place: A home giveaway. The company will offer two newly built homes-- mortgage-free.
Mechanical One, a newly opened air conditioning and plumbing company of about 100 employees in Altamonte Springs, Fla., says it will hold a drawing and two employees will win the free houses. The company has purchased two lots for three-bedroom, two-bath homes. They’re allocating $500,000 for the project.
“My passion is really trying to reinvent employee appreciation,” Jason James, president and CEO, told the Orlando Sentinel last month about the drawing. “Our business model is really, if we take care of our people, they are going to do more for us than any marketing budget.”
James said a home incentive seemed more luring than a car or vacation giveaway. “Many of our employees own a home already, but a lot of them rent,” he adds.
Eligible employees for next December’s drawing must be with the company for a full year. They also must take a financial literacy class, which will be paid for by the company, and complete 20 hours of community service at a nonprofit of their choosing.
Anthony Mitchell, an operations manager for Mechanical One, said employees are excited about the chance to win a free home. “There’s nothing like coming home to the wife and saying, ‘Honey, I’m bringing home a new house,’” he said.