Mary Beth Greenstone calls her employer, LeasePlan USA, a “give-and-take company.” Ideas flow both ways between management and workers. Those who give effort on the job can take away satisfaction and certain privileges.
“It’s a very unique company,” said Greenstone, a regional re-marketing manager, who sells vehicles turned in by clients after the expiration of leases. “Most companies operate from the top down, but at LeasePlan, in many areas, it’s the reverse.
“Employees come up with ideas, and our management not only lets us run with them, but they also embrace and participate in our ideas. There is a very comfortable, open-door policy at LeasePlan, which makes the exchange of ideas easy.”
Greenstone is allowed to work at home in Lawrenceville, a long way from her Alpharetta office, once a week. Like her colleagues, she can spend work hours doing volunteer service.
In return, if the boss summons Greenstone on her day off, “I don’t blink,” she said. “I’m there.”
Q. Can you give an example about why you find LeasePlan a great place to work?
A. Arnette Simons worked in our re-marketing department. Her contagious smile and laugh made her well-known throughout our company. Arnette was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in 2006, one year after having her son. A group of us went to our management team and asked if we could do pot-luck breakfasts to raise money. The passion to help was overwhelming. Soon we named this group “Arnette’s Angel’s.” Before we knew it, we had 100-plus employees wanting to help support Arnette’s family. I still get goose bumps and tears in my eyes thinking about the impact Arnette made on our company. She did not survive her battle, but her memory will always live on at LeasePlan.
Q. How does her memory live on?
A. Shortly after Arnette passed, a group at LeasePlan founded our community outreach program, “LeasePlan Cares.” The mission of the group was to provide an avenue for community involvement and social responsibility for employees. The group partners with the Atlanta Children’s Shelter as well as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in honor of Arnette, and many others. LeasePlan allows its employees to volunteer during paid working hours at the shelter. We also have luncheons to raise money for our charities. For example, we are having a Meatball Hoagie Luncheon to raise money for the Crohn’s and Colitis Summer Camp for kids in Atlanta. This is yet another opportunity for me to volunteer.
Q. Do you have time for other activities?
A. I participate in our “HealthyU” program. We found that 97 percent of employees had participated in at least one event throughout the year. Our “HealthyU” team brings in experts during our lunch hour to teach us the latest ideas in staying and getting healthy. We also have biking, running, walking and line dance. You can’t miss our fluorescent orange shirts and our LeasePlanners chanting with pride at the Kaiser Permanente Corporate Run/Walk. Last year, we had half of our Atlanta employees participate. We also have a group called “Family Seeds.” This team gets together during their lunch hours to discuss life situations, whether it’s dealing with small children and day care or planning for our children’s college. Guests speakers come in and talk on topics from new parenting to dealing with elderly parents. A group of employees serve on our “Fun at Work” committee. This team organizes activities such as turkey bowling, ice cream socials, summer employee appreciation day picnics, softball teams, bowling teams and our annual celebration that we affectionately call our “prom.” Our company rewards us for achieving our annual goals by throwing a formal dinner dance party. Thus, the name “prom.”
Q. How does everyone feel about all the activities?
A. While none of these activities is required or frowned upon if you don’t participate, most employees do. I’m sure there may be people that don’t want to participate, and that’s OK. All these activities help bring a different atmosphere to work. If you play softball or go to the shelter to volunteer, you get to meet and know the people you work with in a different atmosphere. I feel this brings a better working relationship to our company.
Q. What about training offered to employees?
A. We have a program on our intranet that allows us to go and choose any course offered, such as a refresher in Lotus Notes or on customer service. If you want to learn what someone else does every day, you can do “Walk a Mile.” I recently sat with our Vehicle Acquisition team to learn a little more in-depth what happens when ordering cars for our clients. The opportunity to learn every position is out there. I look at it like a ring of learning. Every area in our company affects the other, so it’s nice to know what everyone does.
Q. So LeasePlan is different from other places you have worked?
A. Yes, it is very different. I truly feel I’m working with, not for, LeasePlan. I hear many co-workers say they feel blessed to work here. I, too, feel blessed and grateful for everything this company has given me in knowledge and opportunity.
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