Attention: All Associates

During our recent Engagement Survey, many of you provided feedback and comments on a variety of subjects such as Compensation; Standardization; Housing Discounts; Career Paths; Awards and appreciation, and the need for improvement in Training.  These items will be addressed over the next few weeks on Buzz news, so please stay tuned.

Your feedback regarding PTO
One of the issues that came up frequently was the use of PTO for sick time.  In order to clarify what PTO is (Paid Time Off), it is the combining of both vacation and sick time, on an accrual basis, so that you can use hours for whatever reason you want. 

A PTO program is actually more advantageous to the associate because accrued time off can never be taken away from you, whereas with a separate sick program you would be given 5 days at the beginning of each year and if you did not use it, you would lose it and start fresh the next year.  A PTO plan was put in place to give you more flexibility and for those who are seldom sick, it provides more paid time off to enjoy.  

If you still have concerns regarding the PTO plan, please contact djones@essex.com.

Further feedback is welcome
Of more concern were comments about:

• a hostile work environment
• communication of compensation increases (or lack of communication)
• being forced to work when sick
• inconsistent treatment of associates and residents
• supervisors making the job stressful
• some associates being treated differently than others

 
Due to the survey being anonymous, there is no way of knowing who made those comments but they are obviously serious and we would like the opportunity to review and correct. 

You are invited to be part of the solution and contact us so that we may look into these serious issues.  You will remain anonymous to everyone, except certain members of HR, who will work to improve any inconsistent or inappropriate working conditions you may be experiencing.  Please contact djones@essex.com with any of your concerns. 

Thank you and stay tuned
Thank you to so many who took the time to participate in the Survey. Again, we will address more of your feedback in the weeks to come on Buzz news.