FedEx Custom Critical
The Heart to Create a Great Workplace

FedEx Custom Critical recognizes the importance of supporting their employees both inside and outside of the workplace.

In addition to offering a variety of full- and part-time positions including flexible scheduling and work-from-home options, FedEx Custom Critical (FedEx) offers a number of on-site conveniences to help its over 600 employees balance day-to-day responsibilities including dry cleaning services, a fitness center, various health screenings, 24/7 health-care hotline, adoption assistance, lactation room, relaxation rooms and free chair massages. The employees’ appreciation of the care shown by FedEx is easily translated to increased productivity. As one employee stated, “I work best in a company that shows its support for its employees and we are not just another number. Also, with a company that takes that extra step to make the employee feel wanted.”

A Warm Welcome
From the time an associate greets a new hire in the lobby on his or her first day to the time that employee’s arrival is announced in a company wide newsletter, FedEx employees immediately know there’s something different about this place. Other things that FedEx does to make their new employees feel welcome include a two-day cultural orientation program complete with a lunch with the company president, VP of Human resources and other members of the executive management team. New employees are also given an Applebee’s gift certificate, company logo items and an opportunity to take a personality assessment and learn more about other personality styles. Their photos and bios are posted on the company intranet so that existing employees can familiarize themselves with new team members and make them feel more welcome, and they are sent on a scavenger hunt – a trip around the building to find answers to questions about the organization and meet their new co-workers.

Everyone is a Recruiter
Existing team members are big players in the recruiting process, helping HR with job observations, job fairs and phone interviews. This high involvement allows employees to feel pride and ownership when “their” candidate is hired – the $300 referral bonus doesn’t hurt either. Similarly, FedEx is careful to recognize even their former employees for their continued contributions; they offer a $200 referral bonus to former employees and utilize their former HR employees to help them when the recruiting needs are high.

Health and Wellness, Stress and Employee Engagement
Employees at FedEx are offered many ways to maintain their health and wellness, keep stress to a minimum and to feel engaged in the company’s success. For example, the on-site cafeteria, the Central Exchange, not only provides meals around the clock, but also offers low-carb and Weight Watchers options. Employees have the opportunity to utilize on-site fitness facility or on-site fitness classes. FedEx also helps prevent the spread of germs by providing free hand sanitizer to each employee. Finally, employees are rewarded with various cash prizes when they join programs to lose weight and build healthy lifestyles.

To ward off stress and help employees unwind, FedEx has such on-site options as “Internet Cafes”, kitchenette areas in each department, an ATM machine, company store, central services area where team members can buy stamps and discount movie tickets, on-site basketball hoop, game tables – including an air hockey table and a pool table, and board games.

Finally, FedEx also organizes several events and programs throughout the year that allow employees and their families to interact, such as a new-hire event where new team members and their families are invited to the facility for tours and family activities; a children’s artwork program in which employees are encouraged to bring in their child’s artwork for display in their department or throughout the building; and a photography competition for team members, with winning photos displayed in conference rooms throughout the building. Many holidays and special occasions are also used as chances for team members to get to know each other better with such events as the holiday happy hours; gatherings, providing team members with afternoon snacks and a chance to relax with coworkers; spirit days for local sports teams, such as Cavs day, Easter egg hunt for employees’ children; and an annual summer fun day – a day filled with team games, a cookout and mingling.

Helping the Community
FedEx even provides opportunities for employees to volunteer in the community during regular work hours, and the organization’s top management participate side-by-side in a number of different activities. Some examples include Junior Achievement, providing volunteer phone operators for the annual Akron Children’s Hospital “Have a Heart, Do Your Part” Radio-thon, and hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive and an Adopt-a-Soldier supply drive (which collected supplies for deployed soldiers).

Employees also have the freedom to creatively collaborate to support other causes. For example, the company created a cookbook out of recipes submitted by team members. Sales of the book generated $2,500 for the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank. In addition, when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans last year, their team members organized an emergency supply drive, and in 24 hours collected an overwhelming quantity of items that were shipped to fellow employees living in the hurricane-affected areas.

Employee Stories
Current and former FedEx employees are additionally encouraged to share their most memorable moments with the company through the online “Storybook” feature on its intranet. Stories from team members’ time with the company might include a funny moment, a tale of team member support or any other story that illustrates the creative, innovating and collaborative culture at the company.

Benefits Galore
Other unique and supportive employee benefits include health insurance for all full- AND part-time employees, an adoption assistance program that provides up to $3,000 to help offset costs, a college scholarship program for team members’ children and stepchildren, and special insurances such as auto, home, and even pet insurance! Employees are also generously rewarded through compensation that is based on their performance, company profitability, customer satisfaction and goal achievement. Furthermore, employees are eligible to receive a profit kicker bonus if the company fares well. Any organization, which is eager to share their profitability with the employees, shows great dedication and care.

FedEx certainly shows a lot of heart. One team member may have summed up just how much through the following statement: “This company stood by me when times were difficult…like a good friend.”