Page 73 - BizVoice May/June 2013

May/June 2012 – BizVoice/Indiana Chamber 73
MAJOR COMPANIES
3
Ogletree Deakins’ annual
Christmas giving project
collected 98 toys and gifts for
children in 2011.
Want to know a secret when it comes to cultivating a winning workplace culture?
Never underestimate the power of food.
Just ask Todd Kaiser, a shareholder at Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak &
Stewart, P.C., one of the nation’s largest labor and employment law firms. Fifty
associates are part of the team at the downtown Indianapolis office.
“Our kitchen is an atmosphere where you can talk, take a step back from work and have a
little fun,” he observes with a laugh. “We have food all the time. People bring in cakes and
cookies and cupcakes. There’s always a race to the kitchen.”
But delicious cuisine and desserts aren’t the only ingredients
that create camaraderie and bring employees together at the firm.
Several other elements are part of the mix.
“It’s a very open culture,” Kaiser reveals. “I think the only
complaint I hear is that we share too much information, which is
good; it makes us transparent. People know where we’re going. They
know the goals. There are no hidden agendas.
“Two, we practice what we preach. We’re a firm that provides
advice and counsel to employers on how to take care of their
workforce – with mutual respect and treating everyone as equals.
Everyone’s job is important.”
Lightening the load
Employees take pride in the firm’s commitment to making a
difference through volunteerism.
“We want to be a part of the community – not just take, but
give back as well,” Kaiser stresses. “Giving back and being involved
in your community makes for a good work environment.”
For the office’s 2012 Christmas Giving program, employees made
care baskets for families at Coburn Place Safe Haven, a shelter for
women and children suffering from domestic violence. Additional
philanthropic efforts have focused on Hurricane Sandy relief, orphan
centers, Hoosier tornado victims, food drives and more.
“I’m amazed by the support everyone gives and the fun they
have doing it,” reflects paralegal Tracy Mounts.
That generosity extends to life within the firm.
Senior management gives back to employees in a variety of
ways. Examples include zoo outings, “Santa Claus Comes to
Ogletree” (managing shareholder Kim Ebert and his wife dress up as
Mr. and Mrs. Claus), monthly birthday celebrations (complete with
cake, casseroles and other goodies) and Christmas bonuses.
“On staff appreciation day, the attorneys have a cook-off and bring in their favorite dish.
They serve us and we vote on it,” remarks legal secretary Diana Miller. “They win a special apron
that’s handed down.”
And did we mention the ugly sweater contest?
“That gets heated!” exclaims associate Brett Buhl. “It seems like everyone
participates. I’ve seen some crazy sweaters.” Last year’s winning sweater
was adorned with lights and a battery pack.
Kaiser explains why creating a sense of fun and family is so important.
“Work is only a small part of everyone’s lives – there’s no reason that
work can’t be fun,” he declares. “When you get to know people outside the
office, it makes for a better work life. You get to know how their kids are doing,
what sports they play. When you see them go from two months (old) to high school,
Ogletree Deakins
A Case for Transparency, Teamwork
By Symone C. Skrzycki
Continued on page 78
The firm’s wellness room
provides a private setting for
staff to reboot. A massage
therapist visits biweekly.