Dealer: Rick Hendrick

Dealership group: Hendrick Automotive Group

Full-time employees: 26

General Manager Dean Perella on lessons from the pandemic about being a better employer:
“I have learned that with teamwork anything is possible. Working together has made our team even stronger.”

Perella on evolving compensation structure in the COVID era:
“We operated as usual with no layoffs or furloughs, keeping our team members employed at full pay.”

Perella on changing hiring and training because of the pandemic:
“We continued to hire but made accommodations with social distancing and remote training, following CDC guidelines.”

Perella on how the accelerated shift to digital retail changed staffing strategy:
“We were already doing business as a digital retailer to meet the needs of our customers. Offering delivery and home test drives.”

Perella on making work schedules more balanced or flexible:
“We work flexible shifts for the sales and service employees, split between rotating morning and afternoon shifts.”