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W W W. M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 19 A P R I L 2 9 , 2 0 2 4 F O C U S 3 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y And the fun stuff ? Company outings, onsite recreation and pet insurance were the least-desired creative benefits. None was favorited by more than 12% of the survey respondents. COVID fast-forward Casual Fridays and other perks so popular 30 years ago began to lose their magnetic power. Employees learned, the hard way, to value different benefits. "ose startup companies from the 1990s and early 2000s were a cool place to be. But people saw how quickly those companies could fail," Major says. "It was fun, but then you hit reality … a gen- eration learned that you can be enslaved to work, and then you get laid off." e pandemic accelerated the change to warp speed. Overnight, the flexibility to work from home became a public health necessity. Dress codes became meaningless. Gourmet coffee machines and office beer taps went dry. Facing grim reminders of their mortality, work- ers questioned the value of the work they did. Many sought a safer environment in Maine, but no state was immune to the new coronavirus. At the height of the Great Resignation, the employee quit rate in Maine spiked to 3.8%, the ninth-highest in the U.S. "COVID has played a big part in helping people focus on what's important to them," says Major. "It's helped people understand that having a good health plan, good time off, good leadership — those are foundational to having a good employee experience. "COVID forced employers to make a shift. But you know, employees have actually wanted that for a long time — since the early 1990s." "At the end of the day," she adds. "It's really about a solid culture, solid leadership, a respect for employees, a respect for work-life balance. at's what employees are seeking." William Hall, Managing Editor / Digital Operations for Mainebiz, can be reached at afisher @ mainebiz.biz We're proud to offer a wide selection of metal roofing and siding products. Give your home or business the color and style you're looking for with the durability and quality that only metal roofing and siding can provide. NOW OFFERING Screw Down Metal Roofing WAREBUTLER.COM METALS@WAREBUTLER.COM STANDARD COLORS ONLY Visit one of our stores, or email us using the contact form on our website, for more information on these products. Dress codes and office configurations have changed dramatically since then. — Johnna Major KMA Human Resources Consulting P ROV I D E D P H O T O / K M A H U M A N R E S O U R C E S C O N S U LT I N G Johnna Major, with Falmouth-based KMA Human Resources Consulting

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