PK USA needed new employees. Bill Kent had an idea.
In early February, PK USA in Shelbyville announced a plan to incentivize its current employees to find new employees. On Monday at the Shelbyville Common Council meeting at City Hall, Kent, PK USA’s Vice President of Corporate Relations, Kent discussed the success of the program.
“We rolled the program out on Feb. 9, so far we’ve had almost 50 referrals and hired 18,” said Kent. “I was told to stop hiring.”
To read about the program, go to https://shelbycountypost.com/local-news/675078
When asked, Kent stated the financial incentive program was his idea. He deemed it a better way to get people motivated.
“The automotive industry is stabilizing. We are seeing orders remaining firm which is what we want. I needed people,” said Kent. “So I turned 300 employees into active recruiters.”
New employees and the PK USA associate that referred him or her each receive $1,000 after three months on the job. The retention fee climbs to $2,000 for the referral employee and the new employee after six months on the job.
And at 12 months of employment, another $2,000 is awarded.
Kent now has a pool of people interested in working for PK USA.
“One of the things folks on the floor have taught me is make them a part of the solution and they will be willing to participate,” he said.
In other council business Monday:
- Approved the rezone of the property at 1501 S. Harrison St.
- Approved a resolution for special appropriations and an executive order to amend the Capital Improvement Plan.
- Tabled a resolution to transfer a Riverfront District license to Sterling Entertainment LLC, the current owner of Cadillac Jack’s at 29 Public Square in downtown Shelbyville, because there was not a representative of the business in attendance at the meeting.
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