Bluco Corp. again named one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

Bluco Corp., a manufacturer of modular fixturing systems for welding, machining, robotics, and positioning, has been named as one of Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in 2022 for the second year in a row.

Given by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR), the award recognizes organizations that are setting the standards for excellence in workplace environment and human resources practices. Nominees are evaluated based on criteria like compensation, employee enrichment, engagement and retention, education and development, diversity and inclusion, and recruitment efforts.

“We launched a salary benchmarking initiative with two goals in mind,” said Bluco Human Resources Representative Margy Pagone. “First, we wanted to exceed industry median salaries by 10%. And second, we wanted to define a potential path for every individual’s job growth.” The effort resulted in personalized job descriptions and salary requirements for every employee.

The company also rolled out flexible workweek options that allow employees to choose from a traditional five-day week, a four-day week with modified hours, or a hybrid model that offers four days in the office, and a 5th half-day from home.

Bluco Cares, the company’s charitable giving program, recently helped clean up trails along the Illinois Prairie Path, packed meals for Feed My Starving Children in Aurora, Ill., and built dressers for donation to Sharing Connections in Downers Grove, Ill. And last year its Supported Employment Program, which provides career opportunities for individuals with special needs, employed its first part-time team, who contribute to shipping, manufacturing, and office tasks on a daily basis.