Farley’s office creates new recognition program for employers that go the extra mile for employees

In an effort to recognize employers who go above and beyond for their employees, the North Carolina Department of Labor has created a Workforce Impact Network.

“It’s a new recognition program born out of some of the things we saw during Hurricane Helene where there were employers who really stepped up for their employees during times of crisis,” North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley told Council of State members at their recent April meeting.

“We want employers who again are responsible and doing right by their employees being recognized, and our first two members of the Workplace Impact Network are two Buncombe County businesses, Freudenberg (Performance Materials) that’s in the business of textiles and the other is called Haakon Industries and manufacturers air handlers, and they did tremendous work for their employees during Hurricane Helene. Both Freudenberg and Haakon housed employees when needed, provided food and water, provided laundry services, and financial assistance to their employees.”

He said these are the kinds of efforts his office wants to recognize and encourage going forward, and encouraged fellow Council of State members to let his office know of any business deserving of the special recognition.  

Safety Award Season Begins

Farley added that April marks the start of the labor department’s Safety Award season, which recognizes public and private employers throughout the state that achieve good and strong safety for their employees.

“The health and safety of North Carolina workers is the number one responsibility of the North Carolina Department of Labor, to keep the working men and women of this state safe and healthy, and so one of the ways we do that is to recognize responsible employers who keep and maintain strong safety records,” he said.

The season, which kicks off next week in Charlotte, runs for three months, during which the department’s employees travel all over the state to give out over 2,000 safety awards.   

“Positive recognition is an important part of what we do with the Department of Labor,” Farley said. “Our philosophy is we use both the carrot and the stick to get people to keep their workers safe. The responsible employers get the stick, and everybody else gets the carrot for what they do, and it’s more than merely a pat on the back when you treat your employees well and you keep them safe. It’s good for hiring and attracting other talent, and also it’s good for your bottom line to let people who work with you know that you treat your employees well.”

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