In the investing world, we tend to focus on the numbers and big ideas, discussing concepts such as earnings, valuations, and leadership in our quest to assess the worthiness of a stock. And while those factors are certainly pertinent to investing theses, we tend to lose sight of the everyday functions of the business, and the front-line workers who make the work happen. As the recent fast-food strikes remind us, many of these workers are paid less than a living wage and need to work more than one job just to make ends meet.
Smart companies, however, know that investors come at the end of a virtuous corporate cycle that begins with workers. Happy employees will provide better service, which will lead to more-satisfied customers who spend more money, which will in turn provide greater returns for investors who are to free to reinvest their gains back into the company or take them somewhere else. In fact, many companies have incorporated this philosophy into their strategy and have gained a competitive advantage because of it. On Labor Day, the federal holiday where we rest and enjoy one last day of beaches and barbecues before unofficially closing out summer, it seems worthwhile to recall the oft-forgotten reason this holiday exists — to celebrate the economic and social contributions that workers have made to this country. In honor of this holiday, here are a few companies doing right by their workers.
1. Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST)
When it comes to treating your workers well, perhaps no one does it better than Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST). Unlike rival Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT), which continuously receives bad press for low wages and worker abuses, as well as pushback from unions, governments, and other organizations, Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is an exemplar of a corporation acting in harmony with its workforce. The warehouse retailer pays its hourly workers an average of more than $20 an hour, compared with less than $13 an hour at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). Many more Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) workers also have health insurance, and pay less for it. In the words of Cesar Martinez, a forklift operator who’s been with the company 19 years: “The company gives you a decent wage and treats you with respect and takes care of you. That’ why we all give 100%.” The result of this strategy means not just better-performing workers and better customer service, but lower employee turnover and a more qualified applicant pool, as Costco Wholesale Corporation (NASDAQ:COST) is a much more desirable place to work than Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT).
2. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM)
The high-end grocer known for its pricey organic produce, and in-house specialty foods, doesn’t skimp on employee wages and benefits, either. The supermarket chain offers employees low-cost health insurance, a chance to buy stock at a discounted rate, and profit sharing that rewards them for improvements in areas such as productivity and customer service. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM)’ hourly workers make about $15 an hour on average, well ahead of the norm for supermarkets. Co-CEO Walter Robb says the company pays employees more than it has to because it helps lower turnover and makes the company better as a whole. Whole Foods Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:WFM) calls this philosophy “conscious capitalism,” which, like stakeholder management theory, espouses the idea that a company will be most successful by creating value for all stakeholders as each party reinforces the other. On Glassdoor.com, employee reviews laud this approach and rave about opportunities for advancement and the ample benefits packages.
3. Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)
While the coffee empire may not win any plaudits for its wages, as the average barista earns just $8.79 an hour plus tips, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) makes up for it with its benefits packages. Well before Obamacare began requiring it for some businesses, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) made health insurance available to part-time employees. That policy has made health insurance available to 95,000 Americans who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it, and that, along with benefits such as stock options, are a reason Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) has half the turnover of the average retailer. In addition, Starbucks employs unique tactics to support its employees, including its Caring Unites Partners Fund, which acts as an in-house safety net for employees facing significant financial hardship because of circumstances outside their control. Most recently, Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) again bucked the restaurant industry trend, saying it won’t cut employee hours because of Obamacare, as many of its peers are doing. The health-care law requires businesses with more than 50 employees to provide insurance to employees working 30 hours a week or more. CEO Howard Schultz reassured employees that the company will continue to provide coverage for employees working more than 20 hours and their spouses.
Foolish takeaway
It’s important to remember that not all workers at these companies are delighted with their employer, and many demand pay raises and greater benefits just as their fellow restaurant and retail workers do. However, much more so than their peers, these companies are rethinking the traditional model of viewing low-level employees as little more than a production cost. It may be no surprise, then, that all three have distinguished themselves with well-loved brands, outstanding shareholder returns, and a premium valuation. Just look at how all three have trounced the broad market over the past 10 years.
At a time when income inequality and unemployment are at historic highs, these companies offer a reminder that successful businesses can provide value not only for shareholders and consumers, but also for the very employees who make the value chain possible. On this rare day off, it seems worth remembering why we have it in the first place.
The article On Labor Day, 3 Companies Worth Celebrating originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Jeremy Bowman.
Fool contributor Jeremy Bowman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends and owns shares of Costco Wholesale, Starbucks, and Whole Foods Market.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
