Creating a company culture that attracts permanent employees is critical for employers in 2025

On MLK Day 2025, my hometown online newspaper, The Addison Times, shared a brief mention on historical events in the City of Shelbyville that reminded me why I started Career Solutions Group, Inc. back in 1995.  May 31st 2025 will be the company’s 30th anniversary.

The Addison Times featured significant events of “notable Black citizens of Shelbyville”, detailing 15 individuals’ stories including, “Doris B. Henry was the first Black R.N.  hired at W.S. Major Hospital.  She was employee of the year in 1984.”

The Personnel Director at W.S. Major Hospital in 1984 was my father, Richard “Dick” Fero.  When I emailed the editor of The Addison Times about this, he replied with, “  I know you hear this all the time, but your dad was such an amazing person. The old saying "They don't make them like that anymore" applied to him. Understated, intelligent, and thoughtful.”  Later, he was elected to multiple terms on City Council and passed away in 2020.  It’s always great to hear appreciation for my dad.  

What he did in 1984 at the hospital was to publicly recognize an individual who was a competent, high performer, and worthy of peer recognition as Employee of the Year.  Knowing my dad, I am sure that he respected Doris beyond her skills on the job - her values.  He knew that highlighting Doris would celebrate an employee others should emulate.  

It was good for business for the Personnel Director too.  Highlighting Doris signaled to other employees that their efforts were considered and recognized as well.  It also sent a message to the Shelbyville community and future employee recruits that W.S. Major Hospital valued its employees - especially those like Doris.  

Companies today have this same opportunity.  In the post-pandemic world where employers struggle to attract new employees, get current employees to arrive on-time, keep them, and get them to want to work on-site … creating a work environment where employees want to show up is critical.

How do you create this attractive environment that draws employees to WANT to come to work?  Celebrate your company’s culture.  Start by celebrating and recognizing your employees who are not just the highest performers but also the ones who espouse the values of the business.

Culture of inclusion

This means creating an environment where each individual is respected for their contributions to the whole, being part of the team.  If your company fosters an environment of mutual respect, then you’re fostering a culture of inclusion.  Your company’s culture is the collective attitudes, behaviors, and values of your team.

According to Harvard Business Review (HBR), "creating a company culture" primarily starts with clearly defining and consistently upholding a set of core values, often guided by a strong vision or mission statement, which acts as the foundation for how employees should behave and interact within the organization; essentially, a great culture is built on purpose and shared values that are actively practiced at all levels of the company.

Key points from HBR on creating company culture: 

Define core values:
Establish a clear set of values that represent the company's identity and guide decision-making at every level. 

Leadership commitment: 

Leaders must actively embody and promote the company values through their actions and communication. 

Hiring aligned individuals: 

Recruit employees who share the company's values and fit the desired culture. 

Open communication: 

Foster transparency and open dialogue between all levels of employees to address concerns and build trust. 

Positive reinforcement: 

Recognize and reward employees who demonstrate exemplary behaviors aligned with the company values. 

Continuous adaptation: 

Regularly assess and adjust the culture as the company grows and evolves.