Telecommuting and abundant advancement opportunities are two of the major perks of working for UnitedHealthcare, says Doug Stewart, director of operations.
"Our business is such that we can offer a degree of flexibility when and where employees work," Stewart says.
More than 20 percent of the company's employees telecommute, according to UnitedHealthcare's Choice Employers survey.
Those working from home may be located anywhere in the United States, says Claims Director Stacey Clair, offering an example: "You can apply for a job in Hartford, Conn., and work that job from here. You can really delve into any area of the organization you want and not have to move until you get into the higher levels."
Because the claims center processes 7 million claims a month, decisions need to be made quickly and accurately, Stewart adds.
To ensure the accuracy of those decisions, new employees go through a lengthy training period where instructors lead them through the coursework until they are independently proficient.
"I started in the military with six weeks of basic training ... and (UnitedHealth's) training is 16 weeks right off the bat," says Stewart, who's been with the company for 20 years.
Front-line employees can rise in the company in a number of ways, including advanced roles in claims processing, system troubleshooting, quality assurance and project management, Stewart says.
Clair, who was initially hired as a trainer, cites her rise in the company as an example.
"I have truly worked my way up in the company in the last 12 years," she says.
"I was able to stay in Springfield, Mo., and achieve a level of success in my career that I'm happy with.
UnitedHealthcare offers its employees three health insurance plans to choose from, depending on their needs, and the company pays more than half of the premiums for employees and dependents, according to its Choice Employers survey.
The company also offers domestic partner benefits.
UnitedHealthcare also will help employees achieve better health, paying for pharmaceutical smoking-cessation aids and counseling. The company's campus went smoke-free Sept. 1.
All employees are eligible to contribute to a 401(k) plan, with a company match of 50 percent for the first 6 percent. Employees also can opt to take advantage of an employee stock purchase plan in which participants are given a 15 percent discount on company stock (NYSE: UNH).
Other benefits in the company's employment package include a dependent-care reimbursement plan, subsidized on-site food service, an employee referral program and a company match for charitable giving.
Stewart says because the company has a pay-for-performance culture, good work is rewarded through quarterly bonuses and annual raises.
"Those who work harder will get more of an increase," he adds.
Stewart says he's stayed with the company for two decades because he believes it's helping people lead healthier lives and because of its contributions to the community.
"We had a terrific event last year. We granted a wish through Make-a-Wish and sent a family to Greece," he says. "We're in the early ... stages of granting another wish this year."[[In-content Ad]]Total Score: 110
Scores by Category
Incentives: 55
Family Friendly: 10
People Development: 13
Corporate Culture: 32
101 to 300 Employees No. 2: Commerce Bank
2009 Choice Employees honorees
