KAI Enterprises is honored to announce it has been named a Top Workplace by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch for a second consecutive year. The recognition is based solely on employee feedback gathered through an anonymous survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage.
The survey measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization including alignment, execution and connection. KAI ranked highest in making good use of employee time, enabling employees to work at their full potential, and making employees feel like they are part of something meaningful. When asked on the survey to describe KAI’s culture with three words, employees responded highest with the terms “inclusive”, “diverse” and “community”.
“KAI prioritizes diverse perspectives, and we actively invest in a work environment where our employees feel respected, included and appreciated,” said KAI CEO Michael B. Kennedy. “We are honored to have been recognized by our employees two years in a row as a great place to work. It’s what we strive for, and it’s very meaningful to KAI’s leadership to receive this honor.”
KAI recently created an internal committee called the “Workplace of the Future Strategy Group” where employees from a variety of disciplines, offices and ages were assembled to tackle issues related to how the business should operate in the future. Topics included workplace flexibility, cultural expectations, mental health, wellness and collaboration. The group worked on these issues for three months before presenting its recommendations to leadership, which is currently finalizing companywide, work-from-home policies.
KAI employs a diverse team of architects, engineers, interior designers, builders and support staff at its headquarters in St. Louis. The minority-owned firm specializes in the design and construction of residential, commercial, education, healthcare, transportation, government, water and community-focused projects.
Here’s how KAI’s employees responded anonymously on the survey:
“I am allowed the freedom to do my job. I also appreciate our collaborative culture and team atmosphere. The company mission is transparent and everyone seems to know it. The core values underpin the company direction.”
“I love my job because it is never the same every day. I get to work on many different projects that keep my interest, help me grow professionally and keep me on my toes as a critical thinker. Having a versatile environment is imperative to my interest level and overall keeping me engaged as an employee.”
“I get to do what I love. I’m given the tools necessary to succeed in my role, whether its additional training or having the right team to complete projects.”
“I love my job because the team I work with every day have built incredible working relationships. We depend on each other, and we produce top results together. KAI gives me flexibility I need to stay motivated and the autonomy I need to make important decisions for me and my team.”
“Family comes first is the truth at KAI. I have worked at a handful of engineering firms and/or construction companies that have said family comes first but did not mean it. We have a great team that pulls together to help each other out when needed. Each day I am grateful that I was hired.”