Dealers motivate employees amid pandemic hardships

This year, creativity was key when it came to recognizing and encouraging employees at the Best Dealerships To Work For.

Dealerships on the 2020 list used virtual parties, time off and monetary gifts as a way to reward positivity, teamwork and acts of kindness throughout their stores during the pandemic.

Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg in Pennsylvania used Zoom to host virtual dealership parties and happy hours to connect with employees and boost morale during difficult times.

Larry H. Miller Hyundai Peoria, of Arizona, allowed employees to take time off to attend drive-through graduation ceremonies for their loved ones.

Fixed Operations Director Kevin Naylor said graduates had already missed so much this year that "the last thing we wanted to do is have them miss something else by not having one of their parents there for the momentous occasion."

Dave Wright, president of Dave Wright Nissan-Subaru in Hiawatha, Iowa, implemented the "Dave Buck" program, where employees can nominate co-workers for rewards when they witness them doing something out of the ordinary.

"The whole dealership gets to see and hear these stories; we divide them up on how we serve customers and serve each other," Wright said.

Kunes Country Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram of Woodstock in Illinois gave out gift cards to employees who went above and beyond during the pandemic.

Capitol Auto Group, a three-store dealership group in Oregon, uses its "Catch Someone Doing Something Right" program to reward individuals for being helpful at work.

"They continue to work even harder, they are super happy, and that in turn created a better work environment. Happy employees treat customers better," said Brian Schindler, manager of business development at Capitol Auto Group.

Brandon Martinez, assistant service manager at Medford BMW, in Oregon, gets a massage on the showroom floor. The massages were offered to help employees relieve stress during the pandemic.

Amid the coronavirus crisis, Hendrick Acura in Charlotte, N.C., made sure to continue to hand out money and celebrate employees' years of service, safely. General Manager David Porter, left, congratulates Rodney Carpenter, service shop foreman, who has been at the dealership over 25 years, with an air fist bump.

From left, Friendship Hyundai of Johnson City Product Specialists Maverick Francis, Jordan Howard and Brennan Travis gear up for the Tennessee dealership's socially distanced Halloween contest.

Larry H. Miller Ford-Lincoln Draper, in Utah, developed three custom masks for its team members.

Prime Automotive Group CEO Todd Skelton, left, addresses the Prime Ford – Saco staff in appreciation of their efforts at the Maine dealership during the pandemic.