Staff turnover is one of the largest problems in the industry, perhaps worse for bigger companies. But Lance Schepps (left), the senior vice president whose main focus is HomeWorks' window business, says that of the 300 people who are either employed by the company or are independent contractors working exclusively with HomeWorks, nearly a third of them have been with the company for at least 10 years. “We believe in long tenureship,” Schepps says.
And the way to achieve this, Schepps believes, is “to run a program that's conducive to tenureship.” HomeWorks keeps its employees happy with health insurance, a 401(k), and vacation, but the most important component to maintaining the low level of turnover is providing opportunities for growth within the company. This is one area where the company's size works to its advantage.
HomeWorks recently opened a sales facility for its 50 salespeople (divided evenly between the kitchen and window divisions). The company's seven-building campus also includes a call center and a small manufacturing plant.