HR Generalist Monica B. combined her Harmony strength with her passion for fitness and health when she took on a new role at Allegion’s Indianapolis operations, after working for three-and-a-half years at the Carmel office. Over the last nearly two years in her position at the plant, she has helped to cultivate a positive community there and reinforce Allegion’s corporate value, “Be safe, be healthy.” Human Resources Business Partner Jared Johnson said, “Monica is thriving in the plant. She was able to quickly establish rapport with the employees, her co-workers and the plant staff to become a trusted ‘go-to’ HR partner.”
Transitioning into the fast-paced manufacturing environment was fun but it also came with a learning curve. Initially, her primary focus was learning manufacturing terminology and building relationships within the facility. “I remember early on, wondering why the plant leadership had managing for daily improvement (MDI) meetings twice a day, thinking to myself, ‘Does that much really change in six hours?’” Monica recalls, “It didn’t take very long for me to learn that this was appropriate and not excessive!”
The manufacturing employees’ great work ethic and commitment to building the best quality products make her proud to work at Allegion.
“When I drop my daughter off at school and see the Von Duprin exit device on my way out, I can smile, knowing I’m headed to the place that makes the best product in the industry,” she explains. “I am truly humbled to work alongside the individuals that build our products, day in and day out.”
Before she started her new position, Monica had conversations with Jared, about how she could bring her passion for fitness to the community at Indianapolis Operations. She teamed up with the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) group because it had a similar devotion to the topic. The power duo implemented some powerful, positive changes.
“When I drop my daughter off at school and see the Von Duprin exit device on my way out, I can smile, knowing I’m headed to the place that makes the best product in the industry.”
Before the pandemic, the company offered fruit once a month to all employees (due to current protocols, the fruit distribution has temporarily been suspended). The facility posts educational resources monthly on topics including blood pressure, stress and the importance of healthy hydration habits. Last summer, Monica and the EHS team hosted a plant-wide steps challenge. “The group jointly walked 12,000 miles, or half-way around the earth,” Monica beams. “We have some fun plans to add an Allegion twist to our steps challenge this year.” Allegion opened an onsite fitness facility earlier this year to encourage employees to be active on breaks or before and after work.
These activities have spurred a great cultural shift. Employees talk about health-related topics and often celebrate their health wins with Monica. “Some wins that have been shared with me are: being open to trying healthier food options, going on longer walks, losing weight to help alleviate back pain, staying on the bicycle just a little bit longer, drinking more water…the list goes on,” Monica explains. “Now that our onsite fitness facility has opened, we will have the opportunity to move the needle more, with education and challenges.”
Monica pursues a healthy lifestyle outside of work, too. She enjoys running and she loves salads and cooked vegetables. But she also loves a thin-crust pizza with spinach, pineapple and jalapenos and can’t resist a custard with raspberries and Snickers. “It might surprise you that the staff at Dominos and Culver’s know me by name, as I’m typically headed that way on Fridays after work! For me, food is about balance,” Monica says. “If I can stick to something similar to an 80/20, where 80% of the time I’m strict and then I enjoy treats the other 20% of the time, then I’m good.”
Balance isn’t the only thing Monica has learned on her personal health journey. She admits that being open to trying new things and always challenging herself is the biggest lesson. “A good challenge takes a lot of hard work, discipline and consistency but it is always worth it in the end, when the goal is accomplished,” she explains. “The best part about being terrible at something is knowing you can only get better!”
