Fortune recently published its 18
th annual Best Companies to Work list, and once again, Google reigns supreme. Several insurance companies were featured prominently in the top 20, though – including Wisconsin-based Acuity, scoring high at number three.
Richard W. Baird, also headquartered in Wisconsin, was listed as the 5
th best employer in the country, and Quicken Loans made it to the 12
th spot.
The distinctions are made in partnership with the Great Place to Work institute, and are assessed against an array of evaluative criteria. In addition to surveys distributed to a random sampling of employees, considerations are made to include salaries, benefits, transparency and communication, leadership and development programs, and diversity outreach.
Fortune made note of Acuity’s superior workplace and organizational culture, as well as its formal offerings and unexpected, quirky benefits.
In addition to competitive medical plans, regular town hall meetings, 401(k) contributions, a $1 million contribution to the charity of employees’ choice, and the opportunity for every individual to eat lunch with an executive, the agency adds a dash of fun to foster loyalty and enthusiasm.
This includes outdoor cookouts, as well as Acuity-sponsored spelling bees and 4-H competitions in the county. And starting in 2016, if employees do feel stressed on the job, they can ride a 65-foot high indoor Ferris wheel - all part of the insurer’s upcoming expansion of headquarters.
Additional accolades for insurers were gained with this week's release of the Etisphere Institute's 2015 World's Most Ethical Companies. Carriers
Allstate and The
Hartford made the list, as well as insurance brokerage Arthur J.
Gallagher.