Hank Bukowski, director of live goods at Scotts Miracle-Gro and a member of SAF’s Growers Council attended Congressional Action Days for the first time this year. During the event, he shared a letter from his CEO, Jim Hagerdorn, about the “trickle down” effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
In response to passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in late December, the head of a Fortune 1000 company sent a staff-wide email announcing the positive impact the bill would have on the company and how he planned to invest the projected savings in a host of employee benefits.
“Our tax rate should decline dramatically, perhaps by 8 percentage points or more,” wrote Jim Hagerdorn, CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro, a 150-year-old horticultural corporation based in Marysville, Ohio. “I’m sure many of you are wondering what we’ll do with the proceeds.”
Hagerdorn went on to emphasize his commitment to maintain “a family culture in a publicly traded company.” In pursuit of that goal, he is investigating ways to improve employees’ wellbeing, from issuing pay raises and expanding 401k packages to offering subsidized on-site daycare and leadership training programs. Already, he has increased the Scotts employee discount on stock prices from 10 percent to 15 percent.
Another issue Hagerdorn intends to tackle? Reducing student loan debt.
“We have a lot of scientists with a master’s degree or Ph.D. who spent a lot of money earning it,” said Hank Bukowski, director of live goods at Scott’s and a member of the Society of American Florists’ Growers Council, who shared Hagerdorn’s email with Shawn McBurney, SAF’s senior director of government relations.
Last month, Bukowski participated in SAF’s Congressional Action Days for the first time, visiting six legislators’ offices with other members from Ohio. Upon returning home, he emailed each representative, thanking them for taking the time to listen to his concerns and sharing Hagerdorn’s message.
“I wanted them to see that tax reform has a trickle down effect, so they understand how decisions they make in Washington affect their constituents,” he said.
Bukowski received six individual replies — all citing points he raised during his CAD visits.
“I was so surprised,” he said. “These were not canned responses. They clearly listened to what I had to say. I have a whole new appreciation for Congress following my experience with SAF.”
To read more stories from this year’s Congressional Action Days, click here.
For more advice on improving workplace culture, don’t miss “HR Hacks That Win Loyalty” at SAF Palm Springs 2018, September 12-15. Find a synopsis of that program and others here.
