FCCI Insurance Group

Winning Years: 2009
Industry: Insurance
Location: Sarasota, Fla.
Website: www.fcci-group.com 

Highlights of 2009 Winning Strategies

This is the first year that FCCI Insurance Group has appeared on the AARP Best Employer for Workers Over 50 list. FCCI offers flexible work schedules, fitness classes, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts for employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for eldercare. 

Workplace Culture/Continued Opportunities: All full- and part-time employees at FCCI are eligible for tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, on-line classroom training, and certification classes.  In the past 12 months, all employees have taken advantage of at least one of these opportunities and each employee averaged eight hours of training.  FCCI celebrates its long-service employees with announcements, parties, awards, and its Milestone Award Program where every landmark year of employment is recognized with a certificate, a gift, and cash awards.  Based on employee feedback surveys, the company has made a leadership training program available to all employees, enhanced flextime arrangements, enhanced new hire orientations, increased communications, and formed partnerships with other local educational institutions. FCCI has accommodated employees with alternative work arrangements, ergonomic office equipment, and flexible hours.  Workers at FCCI are given the opportunity to work on team projects to help them gain new experiences or develop new skills.

Benefits/Health: Full- and part-time employees who work 30 hours or more per week have access to individual and family medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, and short- and long-term disability coverage.   To help cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, employees are offered health flexible spending accounts (FSA), as well as an optional AFLAC Cancer and Accident plan. 

Benefits/Financial: All full- and part-time employees can participate in an employer-matched 401(k) plan and a stock options or other profit-sharing plan.  Employees may invest in lifecycle funds to automatically reallocate assets based on the employee’s age or closeness to retirement, and those ages 50+ or older can make catch-up contributions.  Staff from the financial services firm that administers the contribution plan and other external financial experts provide financial planning information or training to FCCI employees.  Representatives from the 401(k) plan conduct seminars and individual meetings with employees to discuss all investment options.  There is also a vendor presentation on planning for college expenses.  FCCI provides employees with unpaid time off to care for children or family members.  Full- and part-time employees are also able to access wellness-related benefits that include flu shots, health screenings, health facility discounts, exercise programs, and stress management training.  Over the past 12 months, 51 percent of all employees utilized at least one of these benefits.  FCCI’s Fit Forever classes are designed specifically for mature workers, beginners, and those returning to exercise with low-impact activities.  FCCI offers full- and part-time employees referral services to assist with child- and eldercare.  All employees have access to backup child-care.  The company offers a Dependent Care Reimbursement Account for employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for eldercare. 

Benefits/Alternative Work Arrangements: All employees have the opportunity to work flex schedules, compressed work schedules, or telecommute.  Full-time employees have the opportunity to move to part-time work on a permanent or temporary basis. 

Age of Workforce: Forty-two percent of FCCI's employees are age 50+,  with an average tenure of more than 8 years.