Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/1390499
PalletCentral • July-August 2021 31 A s every employer knows, there is an ongoing and increasingly difficult challenge with finding employable help. Not only in sheer numbers, but also locating those who want to work with pride. Now with exaggerated pandemic unemployment payouts, workers are opting to stay home rather than flock back to work. One pallet company set out to tackle their workforce issues and has developed a "work in progress" employment strategy that boosted more than their employment numbers. Taking a Chance James Ruder, L&R Pallet's second-generation CEO/Owner, and wife Carine, CFO/Co-Owner – and company catalyst for change – noticed that there was an abundance of employable refugees in Denver, Colo., where the company has been located for 46 years. "About seven or eight years ago, my wife who is largely responsible for the company culture was introduced to 'missions work' through our children's church activities. As owners, we often struggled with how to serve others while running a profitable business. The answer was revealed to Carine as she saw a way to support others, like we might do in other countries, but right here in our own backyard," says Ruder. "We started hiring refugees to America who were prevalent in our area." They began recruiting and hiring them, but once on board, Ruder and his team realized these employees needed more than a job. They also needed support to navigate living in a new country. Instead of ignoring their problems, they began offering help which had incredible results, such as increased production and retention rates. They knew they were on to something. "We found a pipeline of people, but we quickly saw that they were very distracted by their problems. These refugee employees were grateful for work, but they needed real help to get stable. They struggled to get a driver's license, sign apartment leases, and other obstacles. They were being taken advantage everywhere. So, we decided to help them navigate all these challenges," Ruder says. "In the process, as employers, we found pure joy in getting to know them as people and also their families. It became a purpose-driven scenario." It is no secret that L&R Pallet is driven by a set of faith-based ethics, but their efforts were more than offering faith-based solutions. They simply wanted to extend care and love to people as a company, yet it also created a good business model as people became more satisfied with their work life. "We were simply following the Golden Rule, treating others with respect," says Ruder. "Carine encouraged us to start thinking differently as employers." My most valuable assets are my people. It doesn't start with money, it starts with the right thing to do. The investment is worth it, and results will slowly come.