AWARDS FINALIST: The Lines Company – redefining workplace well-being

The Lines Company says its focus on staff well-being has transformed the company's culture, lowered accident rates and halved recruitment times.

The Te Kuiti-based firm says it can't achieve its vision to be the King Country's favourite company without a happy, engaged workforce doing their best for their customers.

It wants people to want to work for it, and that is important in getting and keeping technical specialists in a region distant from major centres.

The company says its culture shift started in 2018 when its employee-net promoter score sat at a disheartening minus eight.

Staff morale was low, and the company faced the challenge of rebuilding trust from the inside out.

Its well-being programme, co-designed with staff at every stage through surveys, interviews, and working groups evolved from that. Much of the work was cemented in 2023 and rolled out during the past two years.

By 2022 that net promoter score was up to 10; last year it showed a further increase to 35.4.

Workforce

TLC says the programme's suite of 37 tailored benefits reflects the diverse needs of a modern workforce and spans three pillars: lifestyle and culture, development and growth, and delivering for communities.

From flexible work arrangements and fully paid parental leave to health insurance, trauma cover, and even birthday well-being payments, TLC's offering goes far beyond the standard.

Employees can access counselling, take lifestyle days to recharge, and tap interest-free loans to install solar panels at home - donating any excess energy to customers in need.

But it's not just about perks. TLC's deeply strategic approach has narrowed gender pay gaps, provided a transition-to-retirement programme for older staff, and seen a heavy investment in leadership development.

A new cultural strategy includes Te Ao Māori training, and the company is actively working towards Gender Tick accreditation.

TLC says the impact is tangible. Staff are not only staying longer - they're referring friends and family. Recruitment timeframes have halved, and safety has improved, with the firm's lost-time injury frequency rate dropping from 5.79 in 2022 to just 1.23 in 2024.

The annual Energy Excellence Awards will be held in Wellington on 13 August. The Well-being Award is sponsored by Hiko Energy Insights.