LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Since the COVID-19 pandemic, more businesses have allowed their employees to work from home, but some companies are working to reward employees to come back into the office. 

It’s the middle of the afternoon on a workday, and Dexter Jones is polishing his putting skills. The Dant Clayton employee can now practice his aim and connect with co-workers, without clocking out, thanks to a new sports-themed park on the company’s property. 

"It's good to have that face to face because some things can get misconstrued if it's online tags, email, things like that," said Jones, Dant Clayton shipping and receiving supervisor. "It's really good to have that face-to-face interaction with the guys."

Dant Clayton is a Louisville-based company that manufactures and installs seating and bleachers in stadiums across the U.S. such as Rupp Arena, L&N Stadium and Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. 

Bruce Merrick, owner and founder of Dant Clayton, said when his team comes into the office, collaboration, effective communication and ability to train and mentor employees increases. With major Louisville businesses such as Humana and Fifth Third moving out of downtown, he wanted to give his 200 employees a reason to come into the office. 

“One of the main things we realized was that ... after the pandemic, there was still a desire to work remotely," Merrick said. "For some reasons, it made a lot of sense, but for others it didn't."

In the most recent report, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates 10.5% of employed Kentuckians worked from home in 2022, compared to an estimate of 4.3% of employed Kentuckians working from home in 2019. 

Merrick funded “Merrick Park,” which includes features such as a half-court basketball court, recreational football field and an outdoor kitchen, inspired by activities he enjoyed during the pandemic.

“We felt like creating an environment here where people would prefer to be at work than be at home because they have facilities that they don't have access to anywhere else," Merrick said. 

Jones said he thinks the focus on creating a common space will build more camaraderie. 

“That opens it up where you can hang out with everybody at the job, not on the job," he said. "You get up here; you get to relax a little bit by a few minutes if you want or just sit back and relax and share stories or just sit there and be quiet, whatever it is you want to do.”