MILFORD – Amherst Label, located at 15 Westchester Drive in Milford, knows how to make a clever idea stick.

The family-owned label-maker boasts 50 employees, 40-plus years in the label and specialty printing business, multiple industry awards and as a company, they know how to reward their employees for their dedication and hard work, not to mention, keep them happy.

(The firm is also one of only 20 label companies in North America who are LIFE-certified (Label Initiative for the environment, and solar powered, with over 300 solar panels on their roof. Their website says, “Our labels are truly made with sunshine.”)

Earlier this year, Humanities@Work, which brings some 30 cultural programs into the workplace, offered, “The Quest for Happiness.” That program reminded the Amherst Label employees that they’re appreciated and are the company’s top priority.

“We had all of our employees attend,” said Angela Hornor, special projects manager at Amherst Label. “We have a strategic plan we call, our ‘painted picture,’ where we have mapped out and made it a priority at least once every month to schedule an event or a luncheon- a ‘lunch and learn.’ Some way to show our gratitude and provide that thanks and hopefully offer something that will enhance their lives.”

Hornor said there was positive feedback from the ‘Humanities’ session, which stresses the importance of humanities with storytelling, historical information and a little artistic creativity thrown in for good measure.

“Things like taking the time to stop to say ‘hello’ make a big impact,” she said. “They had a survey at the end of our luncheon and our two-thirds of our employees rated it good to excellent. They said they learned something knew and would like to attend another one.”

Hornor said the company offers their employees regular perks, such as gym memberships and next week for example, they’ll tip their sombreros to their personnel with a “Taco Tuesday,” bringing in a taco bar and authentic Mexican cuisine.

The company also hosted at night at the Fisher Cats for employees and their families and held a corn hole tournament over the summer.

“We hope it’s something different to break up the day,” Hornor said. “We want to create a culture where people feel valued.”