The Bowdoin Group increased employee engagement and happiness with a refreshing shift in office culture
The Bowdoin Group recently upgraded their office location to align with their friendly, fun, and diverse workforce culture. Bowdoin is a 40-person staffing company based in the Boston Metro area, so we connected with Robin Joyner, Bowdoin’s HR Manager. Here’s an insider’s take on the impact of an office upgrade on company culture.
Stronger workplace community
Last year, Bowdoin transitioned away from traditional cubicles to an open concept with a modern feel and light-filled space in Waltham. Working together and collaboration is a major part of Bowdoin’s company’s culture. So their executive team wanted to enable team members to interact freely with one another as well as with the management team. Joyner says:
We are a fast-paced, driven and very competitive environment, but people here thrive off that.
Bowdoin also thought to create options for different work styles. Seven private conference rooms with large presentation monitors were installed to accommodate different team sizes. Standing desks, comfy couches, and chairs were added to give employees a break from sitting at their desks all day. Bowdoin made additional efforts to untether their employees. Work seating was provided in their café and private outdoor patio. An easy win with employee happiness.
Greater employee engagement
The Bowdoin team takes time for a break to enjoy activities together. Outside of work, they play flag football, dodgeball, or run 5K’s. At work, Bowdoin’s focused teams love to let loose. Their cafe area features a full-size ping pong table, a portable putting green, and their monthly Thirsty Thursday mixer events.
The Bowdoin team is also dedicated to community service. Each employee receives 20 hours per year of paid volunteer time, Joyner says:
Everyone works diligently to achieve excellence, but we also save time to support and give back to the community. Each quarter we hold a community service event at local foundation like
The Greater Boston Food Bank, Cradles to Crayons, and
Junior Achievement.
Also, Bowdoin chose a building management company that offered their employees a variety of on-site amenities: fitness center, weekly yoga classes, daycare, and running trails. An open reception area enables employees to host networking events and other special events. And the cafe coffee, tea, water and wifi amenities give guests a comfortable waiting area.
A new corporate food program
A nearby kitchen houses Bowdoin’s LeanBox, which provides fresh, healthy, grab and go meals and snack options to our employees having busy days. Guests love their LeanBox. Bowdoin subsidizes the cost of the food in the LeanBox. This makes healthy food an affordable option for everyone, Joyner says:
Since we’re a fast-paced company, we often work through lunch, miss the building’s cafeteria hours, or just need a snack. LeanBox has proven to be an important and welcomed addition to our culture.
In Bowdoin’s fast-paced environment, the LeanBox is a welcome addition, with convenient, affordable healthy meal and snack options.
About The Bowdoin Group
The Bowdoin Group is an award-winning staffing company headquartered in Waltham, MA.
They specialize in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical and telecommunication employment. Since 1994, the company has placed thousands of professionals throughout North America and the United Kingdom. They use customized recruitment solutions to help clients grow their companies, and professionals build their careers.
They won the “Best in Staffing Client Satisfaction” and “Best in Staffing Talent Satisfaction” awards in 2014 and 2015. And the Boston Business Journal named them a “Pacesetters Fastest Growing Companies in Boston.”
They credit their recognition and stellar reputation to their employee’s hard work and relentless focus. Learn more about Bowdoin Group here.
Get the latest LeanBox menu here!