Finding Work-Life Balance in Fox Cities, WI

The Fox Cities region takes an innovate approach to talent recruitment.

By Bill Lewis on July 13, 2023

Mike Roemer

Whatever you call it – the Great Resignation, the Great Realignment or something else – today’s workers seem more willing than ever to move on from one job and test the waters in another. But employers in the Fox Cities region have discovered a way to recruit, reward and retain their team members.

Those employers are part of the Fox Cities Employee Friendly Workplace (EFW) initiative, which is designed to help employers enhance the work-life balance of their organizations. The initiative, led by the Fox Cities Chamber, encourages the adoption of employee-friendly workplace practices and policies.

“Workers have a lot of options, and being EFW certified tells a prospective employee that you are doing something different and going above and beyond a standard benefits package. It also is a great way to let your current employees know that you are putting them first by offering first-rate benefits and perks,” says Eric Broten, the Chamber’s director of economic development.

Caring Relationships

Appleton-based U.S. Venture holds the highest level of certification, platinum. The level depends on work-life benefits that are offered, and U.S. Venture provides retirement savings, paid time off, competitive health insurance programs and flexible work-from-home options.

“Part of our culture of caring relationships really does center around our desire to make a difference, not only in our communities but in our people, too. And taking care of our work family and their individual needs when it comes to a full benefits package and going above and beyond when it matters most has always been a priority,” says Lori Karls, vice president of human resources operations for U.S. Venture.

The Community Foundation of the Fox Valley holds a silver Employee Friendly Workplace certification.

Flexible Choices

The Community Foundation begins engagement with new employees from the very beginning. An employee-led TLC committee (Team, Learning, Culture) engages, recognizes, welcomes and provides learning opportunities to team members. The TLC committee often brings the team together to celebrate individual and organization milestones.

In an age when some workers want to return to the office and others prefer to work elsewhere, the Community Foundation decided to let each team member make a personal choice.

“We’ve embraced the hybrid model, empowering each team member to determine where they will perform their roles,” Detjen says. “We are each committed to the organization’s mission and our service to one another and our partners, delivering strong performance and stewardship while maintaining the life balance that is so important. We believe this improves productivity as well as personal well-being. When our employees find meaning and value where they work, when they feel supported and have the resources they need, they are our best advocates and recruiters.”

Work-life balance is an important consideration for employers and workers, says U.S. Venture’s Karls. The company is a leader in the distribution of petroleum and renewable energy products, lubricants, tires and parts, and uses data-driven insights to manage energy and information in the global movement of goods.

“We set the bar high when it comes to our people-first culture, ensuring our team members are taken care of, from the benefits we offer to flexible work options and an overall exceptional team member experience,” Karls says. “We know work-life balance shouldn’t just be a buzzword, which is why we continuously look for solutions to allow our team members the individual flexibility they need to be happy, healthy, and successful both at work and in their personal lives.”

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Engaging Employees

Another program making a big difference in the Fox Cities’ business community is ENGAGE Fox Cities. The mission of ENGAGE is to provide a “community immersion experience” for employees to help them feel more connected to the region and make it easier for companies to retain them.

The program got its start after a leading manufacturer in the Fox Cities region approached Amy Schanke in 2022 and said that while his company has a great team that attracts talented people to the area, it needed help retaining that talent.

To help, Schanke, director of the Leadership Fox Cities program at the Fox Cities Chamber, decided to put together ENGAGE Fox Cities.

Schanke says her long-established leadership sessions bring people together for one day a month over nine months from September to May to learn about different aspects of the region. That includes learning about business at one session, government at the next session, and other topics like health and wellness, media, human services and law enforcement.

ENGAGE breaks down that nine-month program into one Friday evening and a following Saturday morning. “This will be a quarterly event with six to 12 employees and a guest participating,” Schanke says. “Perhaps an employee doesn’t feel connected to the Fox Cities area, or they might want to know more about the region, or they might want to get involved in various activities and causes. Or maybe they have a trailing spouse issue or housing concerns. The ENGAGE sessions provide help.”

Schanke says that because the sole purpose of ENGAGE is to get employees to remain in the Fox Cities area, she hopes more companies will suggest employees that they think will benefit from the program. For more information on ENGAGE, visit the Fox Cities Chamber website or email Amy Schanke at aschanke@foxcitieschamber.com.

Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.