The Shape Family
Shape cares for the well-being of our associates in many ways – through health programs, training opportunities, a safe working environment and volunteer experiences.
Shape Corp. has been able to maintain a small company atmosphere throughout a history of constant growth. Associates refer to this culture as “the Shape family.” Shape holds several events each year, occasions for the “family” to enjoy activities outside of work with their families. Annual events include the Easter Breakfast, the Shape Summer Party, and a Halloween Party sponsored by the Fitness Factory.
Internally, associates are informed of company developments at monthly “town hall” meetings for each business unit, as well as quarterly meetings where lunch is provided and associates hear updates directly from executives.
Helping Hand
A special committee within Shape, the Helping Hand Committee, collects donations and volunteers at events to raise money, which goes into a fund to help Shape-NetShape families in times of need. The Helping Hand Committee addresses concerns as they occur and decides what kind of assistance to provide. They also run annual programs, such as the Helping Hand Christmas program to provide gifts for Shape families that may be having financial difficulties. Shape believes that helping our community means taking care of our own associates and helping them through difficult times.
Associate Development
Out of respect for the individuals who work at Shape, and to constantly improve the quality of our workforce, Shape offers a variety of programs to keep associates challenged, interested and motivated. Associates begin with an extensive orientation to fully prepare them for their new position. Careers are advanced through Department of Labor apprenticeship programs in one of three trades: machine repair, tool and die and industrial electrician. Training and on-going development are viewed as core values at Shape and integral to organizational success.
From on-the-job training, to in-house classes, seminars, book clubs and tuition reimbursement, the opportunities for development and growth are virtually endless. Our industry-leading tuition reimbursement program applies to associate, bachelor and master level courses;128 associates took college classes in 2007.
Fitness and Wellness
Shape-NetShape is committed to the health of our workforce. We provide a complete wellness program to benefit our associates and reduce health care inflation costs.
Before beginning our Shape Family Wellness health care plan three years ago, our medical inflation costs were rising by 15% each year, even higher than the national average of 12%. Last year, our health care costs actually decreased by 6%.
To proactively maintain both the physical and mental health of our associates, Shape created a comprehensive on-site fitness center called the Fitness Factory. This center serves as a hub for physical and mental wellness programs, exercise classes and energized workouts. The Fitness Factory offers blood pressure checks, health risk appraisals and organized family events.
The Fitness Factory also manages our Shape Family Wellness health care plan. Shape Family Wellness emphasizes preventative health, offering incentives to lose weight, stop smoking and manage chronic diseases. This improves the health of associates while preventing customers from absorbing the overhead costs of rising health care premiums.
Focusing on the health of our associates contributed to Shape’s recognition with the Governor’s Council Healthy Workplace Platinum Award. Shape has also been recognized as a community leader in successful workplace health initiatives.