The COVID-19 pandemic has brought with it a host of challenges that affect every aspect of society. While businesses face operational predicaments, their employees must also navigate the unknown.

The label and packaging industry is one built on face-to-face interactions and community. Any numbers of suppliers and converters will often refer to their team as a family that transcends the prototypical work environment.

K Laser Technology (USA), a specialist in holographic and metalized print substrates, locally produces and provides inventory of films, paper, foils, and security products. With warehousing capacity in Santa Ana, CA, USA, the company prides itself on its fast production turnaround times.

However, during the coronavirus pandemic, K Laser’s initiatives have gone beyond providing solutions, such as cold foil, for its customers. Like many companies, K Laser has been heavily promoting the importance of physical health with hand washing, using face masks and disinfecting, but the company has also served as a strong advocate of mental and emotional health.

“Our administrative and sales teams have been working remotely, the production team has been reporting to work as normal, and one sales rep has been displaced since March – without his family,” explains Nicole Rivera, director of administration and operations at K Laser USA. “We realize for those working remotely it can take a toll on your mental well-being, especially living on your own. As the world evolves into the new normal of limited social interaction, our employees need to know they are not alone and secluded.”

K Laser has implemented daily Zoom calls to help remote workers cope with this new normal. In addition, the company provides a weekly lunch for those in production, exclusively from local restaurants. K Laser also celebrates birthdays with a catered lunch of choice with all employees in the office, and bi-annual team building activities have been scheduled outside the office. Most recently, K Laser hosted a kayak tour through the mangroves in Sarasota, FL.

Of course, all these activities include the necessary safety precautions.

“The bi-annual team building activities have been a success for many years since they were implemented,” notes Rivera. “Our culture heavily promotes a team and family atmosphere, and it becomes important to also get to know your colleagues outside the office. The other initiatives have also been incredibly well received, and I personally think it’s because our team knows we aren’t afraid to go above and beyond for them.”

The Zoom calls have been well received by the K Laser staff. The calls take place every day at 11 a.m. and include administrative and sales teams working from home. These calls last roughly 30-40 minutes, providing employees an opportunity to catch up on the day, discussing everything from work-related tasks to challenges associated with the pandemic.

“We truly care for our team, and we want them to be safe and healthy – not for the sake of the company, but for themselves,” says Rivera. “I’ve heard many stories from friends and family in regards to how their employers are handling the new normal of the pandemic, and it makes me realize how lucky we are here at K Laser to have the resources to provide these initiatives. I hope to make the message clear that we are a family, that we care for their well-being and that we’re here to help if they need it. Whether it’s providing everything they need to be able to work from home to PPE to a procedure if we do have an employee that was in contact or has the virus.”

These measures have prevented K Laser from missing a beat over the past five months. Employees have adapted well, whether they are in the facility or working remotely.

“The first two months were a struggle with those working remote like millions of others across the country,” explains Rivera. “For those still working in the office, implementing health procedures took some time to get everyone on the same page, as we currently require temperature checks before arriving in the office, face masks and daily disinfecting. K Laser has fared pretty well considering the circumstances. We remain steady in terms of production and incoming orders. In an unlikely way, that has been a bit of a morale booster.”

The company has relied on its employees to remain successful during the pandemic, and that fact has not gotten lost on management. “Our employees have been huge drivers in keeping us safe and healthy,” adds Rivera. “Our job as management is making sure there’s a job (and business) for them throughout and after the crisis, but we can’t do it alone. Overall, it has been a collective effort and they’ve rallied together to do what they can to protect themselves and the other members of our team.”

To learn more about K Laser, see what the company had to say in L&NW's most recent Mid-Year Economic Report.