In the April, 2011, issue of Staffing Industry Review magazine—a monthly trade publication that covers the tools, techniques and best practices of the nation’s top staffing firms—Express Employment Professionals was named one the best agencies for which to work.
Among a laundry list of qualities, agencies were judged on transparency between management and employees, the degree of due diligence in hiring the right internal workers and maintenance of the company’s culture. Following is an excerpt from the feature story:
“We try to find people who have a lot of heart for each other,” says Robert A. Funk, a founder of the Oklahoma City-based firm [Express Employment Professionals], which recently ranked as the 11th largest staffing firm in the United States. “I think our principal of helping others succeed is you have to have a lot of heart.”
To that end, Funk still interviews each internal worker and franchisee. One Question Funk asks in interviews is what motivates the person—work environment, recognition or money. “Usually how they answer that question tells me what kind of heart they have,” he says.
Another important ingredient is transparency with workers. Employees can interface with upper management at quarterly meetings. “There are very few issues we can’t share with them or don’t share with them,” Funk says. “When a difficult situation does arise, the workers understand it and work to solve it.”
Express also strives to maintain a fun workplace, holding Christmas parties and outings; the company also has a track and field team that competes in Oklahoma City.
Being a great place to work without doubt helps the bottom line, Funk says.
“Our productivity is extremely high for the number of employees we have,” he says. “People will work a lot harder if they’re happy.”
The sentiments expressed by company founder Robert Funk trickle down to every Express office throughout the country, including our West Palm Beach location. Core business values are why Express Employment Professionals continues to place the top candidates in temp to perm positions as well as assist companies with HR-related functions and permanent position upgrades.
