Page 22 - BusinessWest October 26, 2020

a lot of stress, and initially, people were trying to do everything and be 100% in everything, and I think most are now acknowledging that this is not realistic or sustainable.”
As companies continue to find ways to assist employees, they acknowledge that, as the pandemic continues, fall turns to winter, the holidays and all the additional stress they bring on approach, and the days get shorter and darker, these efforts will have to continue and probably expand.
Forever in Blue Jeans
Doug Theobald says MP CPAs, the Springfield- based accounting firm, has long had a casual-Friday policy, and it has become quite popular.
These days, though, every day is casual as the company tries to make employees feel happier and more comfortable during this stressful time. And allow them to dress like their colleagues, who are working at home.
“We’ve thrown our dress code out — people have been in shorts and sweats since we came back in May,” Theobald, a principal and president of the company, explained. “We’ve always been business casual, and one of my biggest concerns was that peo- ple would be nervous coming back to the office; we wanted to make it as comfortable an environment as possible. We don’t meet with people in the office gen- erally — we’ve closed our doors. So as long as you’re looking good from the waist up on Zoom meetings, it doesn’t really matter what else you’re wearing.
“That’s probably been the most beneficial thing we’ve done,” he went on. “If we get back to a new normal at some point, that might be my biggest hur-
“We don’t meet with people in the office generally — we’ve closed our doors. So as long as you’re looking good from the waist up on Zoom meetings, it doesn’t really matter what else you’re wearing.”
dle — putting business casual back in place once cli- ent meetings start again.”
In some ways, this new dress code, or lack of one, is merely an extension of strategies put in place before the pandemic, aimed at creating a more appealing workplace at a time when attracting and retaining employees, especially in this sector, was becoming increasingly difficult as the job market
The dress code has been thrown away at MP CPAs in Springfield, one of many steps taken to help employees feel more comfortable in the office during these uncertain times.
Employers at Meyers Brothers Kalicka crowd around a food truck offering gourmet grilled cheese, one of many initiatives on the part of the company to help boost morale during the pandemic — and a long, difficult tax season.
tightened.
But it’s also part of a broad effort to help employ-
ees cope with all that 2020 is throwing at them, including that never-ending tax season, which will soon give way to the next tax season.
“My team is wiped,” Theobald said on Oct. 15 — again, the last day for those who sought extensions, and there were many in that category this year. “They work hard, and we are the one firm in this area that has a really, really busy fall season; it’s almost busier
Management Opportunity!
Join a premier human services agency, serving individuals with disabilities. We are looking for a House Manager for our residence in Northampton for adults with acquired brain
injury. We also have direct care openings in Northampton, Southampton and Westfield. FT, PT and Relief/Per Diem all shifts.
Caring? Compassionate? Motivated? What are you waiting for?
APPLY NOW! www.bfair.org. Valid US license required. BFAIR offers an excellent benefit package. AA/EOE
Questions? Contact us at 413-664-9382 X141.
22 OCTOBER 26, 2020
COVID-19
BusinessWest