'If a company is looking for longevity, it must be able to invest in employees as much as possible,' says VP of people excellence
This year, Abell Pest Control celebrates its 100th anniversary, boasting a legacy that spans four generations.
Sara Cromwell, the vice president of people excellence at Abell Pest Control, has been with the company for 11 years and shares a passion for the company’s culture, which is rooted in its legacy, she said.
"At Abell, the customer is such a focus, but the employee is just as treated as responsively, and cared for as much as we care for our customer," Cromwell said.
“It's so much more than just being a company that does pest control; it's being a good community member, giving back to employees and allowing them to thrive as much as possible. And from an HR perspective, it's very rewarding to do.”
Opportunities for career advancement
With a workforce primarily composed of route managers and technicians, Abell emphasizes the importance of supporting employees throughout their career journey. This includes providing opportunities for career advancement and personal growth within the company, she said.
This growth also extends to Abell’s employee benefits in which the company strives to offer flexibility and support to employees through comprehensive health plans and wellness benefits, to ensure employees have access to resources that meet their diverse needs, Cromwell said.
"What I’ve noticed in the past 11 years is that we've really been focusing on the employee experience as a whole," she says. "If you take care of your employees, they'll take care of your customers."
Employees give back to the community
Unlike many employers who suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, Abell experienced an increase in demand for its services, as more people spent time at home. While the company experienced challenges during this time, particularly when it came to labour shortages, they were also able to give back to the community by donating PPE masks to long-term care and retirement homes, Cromwell said.
“Our employees were always so proud to go to these care homes when they were doing a service and bring this PPE to them that they so desperately needed,” she said.
Outside of the pandemic, Abell employs community outreach initiatives from supporting local memorial parks to scholarship programs and environmental conservation efforts across north America.
Volunteering can be an important aspect of mental health, according to a recent report.
As part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebration, the organization will focus on giving back to communities where employees live and work. This will include planting trees, volunteering at food banks, and creating special care packages for men's and women’s shelters.
“Our employees got together at each different branch across Canada and the United States, and they were the ones who decided where they would like to put their community efforts for this for this special day of giving back,” Cromwell said.