PBN Healthiest Employers Awards 2022
1,500-4,999 EMPLOYEES
4. Ocean State Job Lot
CEO (or equivalent): Marc Perlman, Alan Perlman, Steve Aronow, principal owners
Number of employees: 2,580
ONE OF THE BEST WAYS to figure out what employees want and need is simple: talk to them. That’s why communication around health and wellness is an important part of North Kingstown-based discount retailer Ocean State Job Lot’s strategy to support its team members’ overall well-being.
“It’s a two-way conversation,” said Beth Mainville, Ocean State Job Lot well-being adviser. “We listen and communicate back with new strategies and offerings in response to feedback.”
For example, questions related to health and wellness are heavily incorporated into Job Lot’s quarterly employee engagement surveys, and the company makes changes based on the feedback. Recently, for instance, store managers’ typical workweeks were reduced by five hours to promote work-life balance.
Some of the company’s many other initiatives include offering mental health first aid training to leaders and providing an on-site health clinic for workers at its North Kingstown distribution center and corporate headquarters.
A Healthy Thought: ‘During the pandemic and beyond, our owners’ and leaders’ primary focus remains on the safety and well-being of our associates, and that comes before profit.’
BETH MAINVILLE, Ocean State Job Lot well-being adviser
