Despite the ever-shifting landscape in the auto industry, the formula for dealerships to successfully engage their employees hasn't changed much over the past several years. Indeed, the stores on the 100 Best Dealerships To Work For list this year provide their people with a comprehensive package of benefits (good health care, retirement programs, etc.), health and wellness practices, strong leadership and inclusive cultures.
To be sure, maintaining those benefits was even more meaningful during the past year, which had its own set of challenges for employers: a pandemic, major shifts in auto sales and tremendous growth of the online dealership experience — and the resulting impact from all that on staffing, dealership processes and profits. But our research still found that the basic hallmarks of providing strong benefits, flexible hours, continuous training and a cohesive and positive work force were what set this year's winners apart from the hundreds of other dealerships that participated in our 10th annual nationwide survey. The dealerships on the list also differentiated themselves by making meaningful efforts regarding diversity and inclusion.
At the same time, there's no question that the disruption of the past 18 months has amplified the importance of providing flexibility to staff. Survey respondents praised the top 100 dealerships for giving them the ability to telecommute and/or alter their schedules. They valued the chance to take time off for community service. And they gave strong reviews to dealerships that provided lactation facilities to working mothers.
