2013 Choice Employers, 5 to 24 Employees No. 2: Springfield Nephrology Associates Inc.

Springfield Nephrology Associates Inc. has a staff of one part-time and 23 full-time employees, and the company makes an automatic contribution to employee 401(k) or 403(b) funds of 1 to 3 percent of annual salaries. The company offers more than 20 paid days off and covers 51 to 75 percent of full-time employee health insurance premiums. Benefits are offered for domestic partners, and the company allows more than six weeks of paid maternity or paternity leave. Springfield Nephrology Associates offers employee tuition reimbursement with more than 30 percent of employees taking advantage of the program.

Editor’s note: Answers provided by spokeswoman Ashley Dees.

What do you find makes your business a desirable place to work?
“We promote a diverse atmosphere that is family oriented. We have professional team members who delineate camaraderie on a daily basis. Everyone in the organization has a great sense of humor, which is a valuable tool for getting through stressful workdays. Every employee is treated with respect and allowed the latitude to let their strengths shine. In addition, the physician owners are extremely generous with the benefits package that the organization offers. The company policies and procedures are firm but flexible for extenuating circumstances. The paid time off accrual is above the regional benchmarks, which allows the staff to spend more time outside of the office. SNA feels that this is a huge benefit that deters individuals from feeling burnt out. For the staff that chooses to save their PTO, they are allowed to cash out their hours annually in October.”

What innovative ways have you developed to reward employees?
“Casual Fridays, snacks in the break room – Gushers, popcorn, lots of chocolate, Fruit by the Foot and more – soda for 25 cents per can and external company functions all reward employees. Last year, the office took the staff to a Springfield Cardinals game. This year, we are having a casino night Christmas party with lots of gifts and prizes. SNA also has a profit-sharing program that rewards the employees for keeping expenses down and bringing in the revenue. Employees receive gift cards and are taken out to a steak lunch during appreciation weeks. The physicians cater multiple lunches throughout the year.”

What methods does the company have in place to solicit employee input?
“SNA holds biweekly staff meetings with the entire office. The administrator holds monthly meetings with the physician board. SNA actively promotes an open-door policy and is transparent with the staff regarding operational changes. The staff also submits a stressors list annually to the administrator. The administrator works to address and eliminate the personal stressors.”

What makes your company’s benefits stand out in the market?
“All SNA benefits have accommodated domestic partnership for more than a year. This has been an extremely positive benefit change for some of the staff. Our Equal Employment Opportunity Commission statement reinforces SNA’s stance on equal opportunity across every facet of diversity. In addition, SNA offers a rare PTO policy that includes both short-term and long-term banks. The long-term bank complements the extensive maternity/paternity policy. The paternity leave matches the benefits defined for the maternity leave. Therefore, fathers and domestic partners have the same leave options as the women out on maternity leave. Our company received the 2013 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility.”[[In-content Ad]]