Staffing agency Spherion has launched an initiative to offset labor issues and boost the morale of its employees: a chance for more money.
Since Sept. 19, Spherion employees have been eligible for weekly giveaways, cash prizes totaling over $153,000, as part of the company’s efforts both maintain staff as well as set an example for other area businesses.
The Spherion Sweepstakes was conceived last year, during National Staffing Employee Week, a special week observed by the American Staffing Association to celebrate temp workers, usually in the middle of September and having run this year from Sept. 12 – 18.
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The temp agency invested some $150,000 in a six-week campaign, giving away prizes such as iPads, YETI coolers and a grand prize of a new Ford Mustang, said Angela Swarts, owner of Spherion Staffing and Recruiting Augusta.
“In the most recent years, given the pandemic, the workforce has just changed so much,” said Swarts. “There were so many different dynamics at play over the last four years. So last year, we decided to do something a little different to help drive engagement and retention.”
Swarts said that this year, however, the agency opted to change how it recognized its workers, applying the sum invested toward a weekly cash prize.
She noted that while gifts like tablet and cars wouldn’t likely go unappreciated, they also might not be the help many employees need.
“Folks are struggling today to put gas in their car, or keep food on the table,” said Swarts. “They have bills to pay, and we thought that would be more meaningful to them. And the way the sweepstakes works is every employee who’s working for Spirit on across our footprint.”
All Spherion workers, once they receive their paychecks, are automatically entered into a drawing for the weekly cash prize, which could be anywhere from $500 to $6,000. The grand prize this year at the end of the six weeks is a new Ford Maverick hybrid truck, which the winner can either accept or otherwise take a cash award. The company also pays taxes on the monies or vehicles won.
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Spherion is headquartered in Atlanta, with over 200 franchises across the country. The first two winners of this year’s sweepstakes so far have not been from the Augusta area. However, news of the potential winnings, said Swarts, have led to a slew of new employees and higher retention.
“People want to be a part of an organization that’s going to this extent to show their appreciation for the workforce,” she said. “Employee engagement is very important. It drives productivity. And we like people happy, that’s for sure.”
For more information about Spherion, visit its website at www.spherion.com.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
