Appreciating our employees
by Teri Theuriet | March 4, 2022
When I first started working at Hawaiian Electric, one of the things I heard often was how lucky I was. Everyone –relatives, friends, high school classmates, the cashier at Safeway, the nurse at my doctor’s office — told me that it was a great place to work and how hard it was to get in. I’m still counting my blessings, nearly nine years later.
Even though we haven’t won any of those “best places to work” awards, I think our company does right by its employees in lots of ways. Here are just a few perks: 12 full-day holidays every year and two half-days, pretty decent health insurance plans (it helps to be one of the largest employers in the state), generous vacation and sick leave, retirement plans and education assistance, among a host of other benefits. Although we don’t get discounts on our electric bills anymore — utility regulators discontinued that more than a decade ago! — employees can get discounts on electronics like computers and cell phones plus hotels and car rentals because of our company’s relationship with vendors.
Beyond great benefits, what really helps our company stand out is the people. Our employees truly believe in the work we’re doing, and believe in what our company is trying to achieve for the state. They work really, really hard, and in my humble opinion, are always opting to do the right thing, even if it’s not the easiest or most popular.
Our employees are also known for going out of their way to help, regardless of whether it’s part of the job they’re doing. We’ve heard from countless customers, commending our employees’ good deeds. Like the ones who’ve helped fix flat tires on the freeway, who helped a dog walker after she fell on a busy street, who stopped to help push a stalled car off the highway just as traffic was starting to peak, and who helped a senior struggling with her walker get safely up a curb onto the sidewalk.
So on Employee Appreciation Day, I just wanted to take this time to share my appreciation for my fellow employees. And if you or someone you know would like to join us, check out the Careers page on our website. Right now, we have more than 70 positions available, primarily for full-time temporary meter installers who will be eligible for those benefits I mentioned earlier. Who knows… maybe you’ll be the one counting your blessings like I’m doing today.
Teri Theuriet is a manager of internal corporate communications at Hawaiian Electric Company.
