GSSI Notches 2nd New Hampshire “Best Company” Award”
Published: 11/1, 2021
For the second year in a row, GSSI has been named the Best Company to Work For in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine. The annual competition recognizes large and small businesses that have created outstanding work environments. GSSI was named to the winner’s list based on its commitment to creating a great company culture that supports employees professionally and personally, listens to ideas and concerns, and works through challenges.
“GSSI has lived by a core value of doing right by our customers for more than 50 years, and in the unprecedented challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, our employees have really stepped up to provide service and support to our customers and each other,” says GSSI president Christopher Hawekotte.
During a recent GSSI marketing video shoot, employees were asked to describe the company in one word. The responses they gave embody what makes GSSI such a great place to work – dynamic, fun-geeky, fantastic, unique, passion, innovative, opportunity, perfect, awesome, wonderful, community, family, friends, and—most important—home.
GSSI is known for its focus on flexibility and work/life balance, with employees and their managers working together to determine what schedules work best for the individual and the team. Never has this been as important as during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, when GSSI’s employee-centered culture was strengthened even further. A Peloton bike and membership proved extremely popular throughout the COVID-19 shutdown, enabling employees to take on-demand classes from their homes, including offerings such as yoga, strength training, meditation, running, and biking. Another unique GSSI benefit that proved popular this year is a pet adoption reimbursement program, in which GSSI reimburses employees up to $500 per calendar year for the costs associated with adopting a dog or cat from an animal shelter.
GSSI also supports employees with a training and development program that includes tuition reimbursement, leadership training sessions, seminar and webinar subscriptions, and trade courses and certification. Employee celebrations are another key feature of GSSI, albeit modified this year due to social distancing protocols. Welcoming each new staff member with a special lunch, fun-filled employee appreciation events, and annual celebrations at the Employees Appreciation Day and Holiday party are just a few examples. A regularly scheduled “Lunch with the President” program builds connections and enables employees to provide direct input and feedback to senior management.