Leadership Insights: Fostering a Healthy Employee Culture
By: Clarissa Brewster
TECO’s culture is shaped by continuous improvement. As a company that prioritizes operational excellence and long-term planning, the work environment must reflect those same values.
Respect and Integrity are a key foundation of TECO’s employee culture. We maintain an open-door policy at all levels to encourage honest dialogue. One example is the small group meetings hosted by our president and CEO, Mike Manoucheri. These sessions give employees at any level the chance to share what they enjoy about their roles and where they see room for improvement. We consistently review this feedback and consider how we can make meaningful changes.
Another key aspect of our culture is internal development. Because of the complexity of TECO’s work, it often takes someone with long-standing experience to fully understand and integrate into daily operations. That’s why, whenever possible, we look to promote from within. It ensures continuity, empowers staff leadership, and reinforces TECO’s commitment to employees who already understand our systems, core values, and expectations.
Employee wellbeing — physically, mentally, and financially — is another core part of our culture. Through strong partnerships, we offer access to dietitians, health education, and mental wellness support. Financial literacy is supported by a dedicated advisor who helps employees better understand and manage their finances and 401(k) plans. In general, we aim to provide tools that benefit employees both at work and at home.
We also place a strong emphasis on recognition. It starts at the 90-day mark and continues with service awards at five-year intervals. Retirements are personalized to reflect the individual — from a quiet lunch to a larger gathering. In addition to formal recognition, TECO’s event planning team organizes gatherings for holidays, birthdays, and company outings. These events play a key role in building relationships across teams and strengthening our community.
Culture isn’t built overnight. TECO’s approach has always been to plan, invest, and evolve with care. That same mindset applies to our people, ensuring they feel valued, heard, and supported throughout their careers.
