Pension Consultants Inc. has a work force of 17 full-time employees who work in a downtown office building with on-site amenities such as a full kitchen and newer technology systems. Pension Consultants offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing, and the company pays a portion of employees’ health insurance premiums. Bonuses are available to all employees. Domestic partner benefits are available. Some employees take advantage of tuition reimbursement for work-related study, and the company also provides formal training opportunities. Other benefits include bereavement leave of five to 10 days.
How does your company foster employee loyalty?“Through an open forum of communication, through the opportunity to share ideas and through a common goal to contribute to our mission. On a monthly basis, we hold an off-site breakfast meeting called ‘the huddle’ where everyone hears about key initiatives from each department in the organization, and I discuss the state of the business (and) share an inspirational message relating to our guiding principles.”
Tell us about your firm’s team-building activities or events. “The Party Planning Committee, which is made up of representatives from across the company, has organized a variety of events for us this year, from volunteering with Habitat for Humanity on the United Way Day of Caring to hosting our own mini-Olympics for Team-building Day, to celebrating weddings, births and new academic accomplishments.
“We place great importance on building relationships because these relationships make us a stronger team while at work and more united in the effort to serve our clients.”
How does your business support work-life balance for employees?“Our employees are dedicated and accountable individuals, not just to our clients, but to their families and to their communities as well. … It’s important to recognize that sometimes our employees have obligations outside of work – whether that be an obligation to tend to family matters, either in support of an event or during a time of emergency, or an obligation to tend to the community. Not only do we tolerate, but we encourage, family support and community participation.”
Has the economy made it difficult to award raises? How are employee efforts rewarded?“We’ve been blessed to maintain a strong book of business throughout the economic recession. Not only have we not had to cut back on salaries, but we’ve been able to reward our employees for their dedication to serving our clients with raises and bonuses that are targeted to their personal accomplishments, which they have an ability to control.”
What makes your company’s benefits offering stand out in the market?“All of our employees have access to medical benefits covered at 75 percent, and dental benefits covered at 100 percent. Additionally, employees receive a healthy amount of time off and appreciate such perks as having their birthday off.”
How does your company support employees’ desires to give back to the community?“Nearly all of our employees give back to the community in some way, and when surveyed earlier this year, they indicated a desire to participate as a team in a volunteer project. We volunteered with the United Way Day of Caring project where we helped to beautify several homes … through Habitat for Humanity. Our corporate culture encourages employees to be involved in their community, even … during what are typically business hours.”
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