Warm smiles and twinkling eyes lit up the room while laughter and lively conversation filled the air in the cozy and relaxed ambiance of a sugar shack in Rougemont. The scene dates back to 1991, when Lassonde had just launched its program recognizing employees for their years of service.

Of course, senior management had long been well aware of the vital role of employees in propelling and sustaining the firm’s growth, and they showed their appreciation in various ways. But establishing a formal program to recognize employees’ contribution was a concrete expression of this crucial dimension of employer-employee relations at Lassonde. At these special events, men and women who had dedicated themselves to their work for so many years became the celebrities of the hour, honoured for their service in the company of their spouses, their employer and their coworkers.

In 1991, Lassonde had roughly 400 employees. An informal party mood prevailed among this relatively small and close-knit team at the inaugural recognition event. As time went on, however, and the number of employees grew both in Canada and the United States, the scale and character of the employee recognition evening evolved accordingly. The cozy atmosphere of the sugar shack in Rougemont had to make way for something a little grander! Now the event is held in a hotel with all the decorum befitting the venue. The evening includes dinner, as well as dancing or live entertainment, and spouses are always invited. But the high point is invariably when management awards pins to groups of employees in recognition of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and even 40 years of service to the company. It is a symbolic but very meaningful gesture that brings a smile to everyone’s face … and if you look closely you can even spot a tear or two welling up in the corner of an eye…

Next column: Next generation Oasis…