More than 200 team members from Sachse Construction brought in the first day of summer 2018 at a most unlikely spot — the Downtown Detroit Boxing Gym, where theypresented 28 bikes that had been personally built to Detroit youth, some of whom had never ridden one.

Sachse Construction delivered more good news for Detroit youth in October, when the company hosted its annual Construction Academy, which allowed 500 high school students to learn the basics of essential skilled trades roles that will be in high demand in the years to come.

Not only is the Detroit-based company committed to youth and the city’s revitalization, it also has demonstrated a strong commitment to its employees, earning a top-five spot (No. 3) in the Free Press Top Workplaces midsize company category.

Corporate social responsibility may not be top of mind when most people think about construction companies, but Myra Ebarb said it all contributes to Sachse’s employee-friendly culture.

“We have a lot of talented people, but they also want to do more,” said Ebarb, director of People & Perks for Sachse Construction, a general contracting firm whose client list ranges from national retailers like Nike and Versace to owners, including The Taubman Company and Bedrock Detroit.

“Sachse is committed to living and breathing its core values: do the right thing, pursue excellence by constantly raising the bar, have passion and enthusiasm, and do whatever it takes,” the company said in its entry form for the Top Workplaces competition.

The “passion and enthusiasm” extend to the company’s approach to welcoming and integrating new hires, which Ebarb knows all about.

“We wrap our arms around our team,” said Ebarb, who expects to go to roughly 40 breakfast/lunch appointments with recent members of Sachse’s team during 2018.  “One of the things I always hear is that your onboarding system is amazing; they say you have the most comprehensive training system ever.”

Books are available for employees to check out in the Training Library located in the workspace at Sachse Construction in downtown Detroit.

On a lighter side, Ebarb said she also uses those dining occasions to get to know each person and their families. Some of what is revealed to Ebarb will come out as a funny statement or a bucket-list item to accompany the photo of a new hire, which goes out to the entire organization. The levity is all part of the Sachse Construction way.

“We work hard, play hard, and care about each other,” said Ebarb, who also shared a story of trying to nudge a team member to actually use his unlimited paid time off, which is one way the Sachse rewards hard work and dedication beyond typical benefits.  “We trust our team and trust our people to do the right thing and you will see that in everything we do.”