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Hewlett has high hopes of topping construction charts again
Leeds-based Hewlett Civil Engineering has, for the third year running, made it to the shortlist of this year’s Contract Journal’s Best Places to Work in Construction Award.
Last year the company triumphed and Managing Director, Alan Cooper believes it will again this year. He says: “After winning last year we didn’t just sit back on our laurels and do nothing. Retaining and motivating staff in difficult economic times is tough, but despite it being a challenging year for the company, we have worked hard to continue to improve the working environment with an emphasis on a good work/life balance as well as offering opportunities for continued personal development.
“A lack of confidence in the economy means that one of the biggest potential impacts on employees is low morale and stress resulting from job insecurity and potential financial pressures. From an employer’s perspective the best thing to do in order to alleviate some of this stress and concern is ensure good and open communication is maintained. The saying ‘no news is good news’ doesn’t always work with employees. At Hewlett, we give regular updates on how the company is performing, what challenges it is facing and what efforts are being made to overcome these challenges.
“Our long-term plan is to continue to reward valued staff as their morale is vital if we are to successfully overcome the challenges created by an economic downturn. Success at this year’s awards will be recognition of everyone’s achievements and dedication.”
Hewlett is still investing in the infrastructure of the business and its workforce – last year it launched a second office based in Warwick - to make sure the Company is in the best possible position when the economy begins to recover. Alan Cooper believes that on the whole, the industry is less pessimistic about the future than it was in the final quarter of 2008, expectations about workload in the coming 12 months are better and order indicators are less negative than at any time since July last year.
Located within the commercial complex at Thorpe Park, Hewlett is a privately owned multi-disciplinary group of companies whose principle activities comprise civil engineering, rail, building infrastructure, the hire of plant and machinery and commercial property development. Hewlett currently employs over 500 staff.
The results of the 2009 awards will be announced in June following a rigorous judging process of 1,000’s of employee questionnaires entered by a prolific number of construction firms across the UK.