Hunzinger was named a 2020 Top Places to Work by the Milwaukee Business Journal. In all, the paper is honoring 15 firms in this category of companies with between 50 and 99 employees.
This year’s program drew about 180 nominations from companies on the “micro” end with fewer than 25 employees up to those in the “extra-large” category. Regardless of size, all participating companies needed to have a large percentage of employees complete an online survey prepared and managed by our program partner, Quantum Workplace.
Employee scores were measured on how favorably they responded to questions in core areas including personal engagement, communication and resources, teamwork, retention, alignment with goals, trust with co-workers and senior leaders, manager effectiveness, job satisfaction, etc. We then selected our winners based on highest scores in each size category.
The Milwaukee Business Journal is rolling out the full Q&As from the 2020 Best Places to Work winners online over the next several days.
To read the edited special section, see the Milwaukee Business Journal’s online weekly edition on Oct. 30, 2020.
SCORE: 92.93
Hunzinger Construction Co.
21100 Enterprise Ave., Brookfield
Describe your company culture in five words. “Do the right thing.”
Specific ways you ensure all of your employees know they are valued. “By transitioning in 2018 to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), all the employees have become owners and know that they are valued. Our executive leadership has an open-door policy at all times no matter what your position in the organization and there is genuine mutual respect throughout the company. Hunzinger also has a total quality program that specifically encourages and recognizes employees that go above and beyond in their day-to-day work. This culture of appreciation for great work is palpable throughout our company.”
What concrete steps do your senior leaders take to create a great work environment for all employees? “What impresses (people) most about Hunzinger is how the leadership sets a standard of ethical leadership and embraces our motto ‘Do the Right Thing’ with a sincerity and commitment that is unwavering. The result is employees that are reliably consistent to this way of conducting themselves. The atmosphere within the company is one of high moral standards, dedicated professionals and skilled trades workers who are decent and honorable in the execution of their work. Hunzinger senior leadership leads by example and encourages teamwork. Senior leaders continually ask for input and offer help to newer employees. Our strategic planning process includes employees at all levels throughout the organization. Annual employee reviews include professional and personal goal setting and implementation plans.”
Examples of how your company creates opportunities for individual development and career growth at all levels. “Continuing education is encouraged and Hunzinger actually created a ‘Hunzinger Construction University’ (HCU) that is located at 21050 Enterprise Avenue in Brookfield, WI. Hunzinger was the design/builder on the 3,000-square-foot renovation that was awarded the first Platinum LEED-CI certification in Wisconsin, 8th in the United States, and 9th in the world by the United States Green Building Council in March 2008. The facility is used for free USGBC LEED training and certification classes, monthly lunch and learns, and monthly companywide safety meetings.
“Hunzinger employees are encouraged to take continuing education courses through the Association of General Contractors of Milwaukee, Construction Leadership Council, American Institute of Architects, among other groups. Employees are strongly encouraged to get professional certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or OSHA 10 and 30 training, and all are expected to become LEED Green Associates or Accredited Professionals. Hunzinger covers the cost of continuing education and professional certifications.”
How does being a Best Place to Work affect your bottom line? “We believe that customers want to work with businesses that treat their employees well and we want to work with those who share those values. We believe it affects our bottom line by being more attractive to quality customers. We also believe that participating in the survey – one completed by our employees – makes this recognition more meaningful and helps keep our focus on remaining an employer of choice in the construction industry. Being recognized as a Best Place to Work definitely helps with employee retention.”
“We are construction managers, general contractors and design builders who have built and managed some of Wisconsin’s most notable and challenging projects. We embrace sustainability and green construction practices and pride ourselves on our superior quality craftsmanship, exceptional safety record, and drive to remain on the forefront of the most modern technology available in the industry. Hunzinger is a great place to work and we have received numerous awards for our outstanding project management, safety, engineering, concrete work, and core values.”
What are the most popular perks you offer to employees? “Flexible office hours where office employees can choose to work 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday so that they can leave at 2:30 every Friday. There is always free coffee and tea, because, let’s be real, this is construction and caffeine saves people. We have employee outings and events throughout the year for our field and office staff including Family Movie Nights with games, prizes and pizza for everyone. The kids, some in their pajamas, gather on the floor, on blankets, on the couches, around the screen to watch a movie and play with all their ‘Hunzinger work’ friends. Hunzinger hosts Milwaukee Brewers, Milwaukee Admirals and Green Bay Packers outings too.
“Hunzinger also has a highly developed community outreach program which allows for participation in Walks/Runs/Biking events throughout the year supporting organizations like Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, Musicians on Call, Big Brothers Big Sister, and Lad Lake, and has a quarterly Troop Shipment program that in the last 12 years has sent over 60 tons of supplies to our troops overseas. Hunzinger uses innovative technology tools and has a great health and wellness program, including in-house fitness center.”
What is your remote-work status as result of the pandemic? “Throughout this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Hunzinger remained focused on the health and well-being of our employees, the workers on our jobsites, our customers and community, while continuing to provide quality service to our clients. We have remained open for business while upholding CDC recommendations for social distancing, hygiene, and cleanliness.
“Our technology allowed the majority of our office employees to self-isolate and work from home March through May. Beginning in June, we strategically opened our offices with approximately 25% occupancy and we remain at those levels to the present. Many of our office staff are able to work from project jobsites and we monitor those jobsites to ensure compliance with CDC recommendations for social distancing, hygiene, and cleanliness. We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and continue to follow guidance from the CDC and State of Wisconsin public health officials. We have continued to keep our employees safe and support our customers and communities with virtually no negative impacts on our projects. All our projects remain on schedule and on budget.”