In 2014, organizations ranging from the United Way of the Bluegrass to the North Lexington YMCA and numerous area schools have benefited from donations and volunteer hours from Lexmark.
Making community outreach a priority is a corporate goal at Lexmark, and vice president of human resources and corporate communications Jeri Isbell said she wanted to “put some muscle behind it.” In 2004, the Volunteer Time Off program was created, allowing employees to take three days off with pay to volunteer at nonprofit organizations.
“In my case, I would go on field trips with my child or volunteer in the cafeteria,” Isbell said.
Employees are allowed to choose where and how to volunteer, something Isbell said also is good for employee morale. Nonprofits around the world benefit from the international program, and each year one nonprofit receives a special financial contribution. Each nonprofit with a Lexmark volunteer can nominate that volunteer for the Volunteer of the Year Award. The volunteer can be employed at any Lexmark location to qualify. The award recipient can then select a nonprofit organization or school to receive a $2,500 donation.
The 2013 winner was Trixy Mendoza, of Cebu, Philippines, who was selected because of her work helping typhoon relief efforts. Christina Ballard, of Lexington, was selected in 2012 for her work helping tornado relief eff orts in West Liberty. Organizations that have previously benefited from the $2,500 donation include Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass and Oppra Elementary in Cebu, Philippines.
While the program focuses on benefiting communities and supporting charities, Isbell said the program also is part of a larger effort to boost employee satisfaction and retention. Isbell has been with the company for 24 years, starting as an IBM employee before Lexmark was spun from the computing giant, and has seen numerous programs and amenities implemented to help employees. At the Lexington location, there is a wellness center staff ed with a doctor and nurse practitioner offering employees same-day appointments and filling prescriptions. Two years ago, an onsite daycare center was opened for employees’ children and grandchildren.
“The goal is really just to have our employees take care of themselves,” Isbell said.
Because of the company’s policy allowing employees to take unlimited vacation days, Isbell said they do not track employee sick days, but she believes the clinic has made life more convenient for employees.
“We’re trying to be as flexible as possible and help employees smooth out the hassles in their lives,” Isbell said.
Emily Rardin, senior communications specialist, said the wellness clinic has allowed her to see the doctor around her work schedule. She also will be taking advantage of the daycare center later this year when her grandchild is born.
“I get a lot of positive feedback from employees from what it has done for them,” Isbell said.
The incentives have been a useful tool in recruiting and keeping skilled employees. Isbell said college graduates new to the job market often are surprised by the flexible policies. There are 12,000 Lexmark employees worldwide and 2,300 at the Lexington site.
“It’s to create work-life balance and just being a good employer,” Isbell said.