Bast Hatfield invests in workers
Construction company’s employees say family firm helps them grow in careers
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Following years of high job turnover rates nationwide, a decades-long career at the same workplace may feel like a thing of the past.
But employees surveyed at Bast Hatfield Construction, a repeat Top Workplace, say they are given the right amount of space and assistance to grow in their careers. Twenty-five percent of employees, the company reports, have worked there for more than 15 years. The average tenure is 14 years for construction workers and 17 for office workers, said John Fretto, a vice president at the Clifton Park-based business.
“With every new project and dealing with so many different trades, you are learning something new every day which keeps it exciting,” one person stated on the Top Workplaces survey.
Fretto himself started as a carpenter there 29 years ago. He said others have been there for over 40 years.
“Right now, we currently have a father, son, grandson and great-grandson working here,” he said. “Most of our employees here, once they’re here, they don’t leave.”
Fretto said Bast Hatfield has been a family company “from Day 1.” It was founded in 1977 by Christopher and Nancy Bast, who were later joined by partner Hal Hatfield. Fretto said second-generation
Clifton Park
2009 (established as an LLC) Private
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11 owners Megan Barss and Christopher Bast Jr. keep an open-door policy.
“They’ll answer the phone on a Saturday afternoon,” he said.
Fretto attributed the company’s low turnover rate to its employee benefits and promotion from within. The company has a profit-sharing program and state-approved carpenter and masonry apprenticeship programs. Investment in new technology and training also keeps the company — and its employees — up to date, Fretto said.
“We invest in our tools, which are our employees,” he said. “Everyone’s involved.”