Attracting top talent

The 2023 IBA Top Insurance Employers are celebrated for their commitment to their employees across a range of factors, including benefits, compensation, culture, employee development and commitment to diversity and inclusion. One of these top employers is Risk Placement Services (RPS).

Ingrid Wilson, founder and principal at GridFern Strategic HR, outlines key metrics of the best insurance companies to work for:

• an environment that provides ongoing employee development
• providing young or new employees with opportunities to engage in projects that will enhance their skills and build employee value proposition
• leveraging enhanced technology and AI to provide flexible workspace arrangements
• offering benefit packages that are culturally aware and reflective of the diverse needs of people, groups, and communities

Nancy Mellard, executive vice president and general counsel for the benefits and insurance services division of CBIZ, says, “A top employer has to be constantly looking at elevating their associates, not just their top people. We want all of our associates to eventually be top people.”

How do the best insurance companies to work for stand out? 

Risk Placement Services (RPS) attributes its success to collaboration and creativity.

Emily Hathcoat, vice president of marketing, explains, “If there is an ethos to the RPS culture, it is that every role and talent is important in us being successful together. We have a strong growth mindset and are always looking for what’s new and what’s next. For us to achieve our collective goals and to come through for our clients, every role is important. We put our talent first.”

A key part of RPS’ internal structure is that no one is left unsupported.

“What sets us apart is how our experts collaborate with each other across lines and areas of expertise, which means there is always a peer available to collaborate with to ensure we’re uncovering every possible option for our clients, as well as giving us a well-rounded view of the risk, not just from one perspective,” Hathcoat says.

IBA questioned the winners’ own employees, with the results displayed below.

How do the best insurance companies to work for compensate? 

RPS keeps pace by studying the industry.

“Our HR teams are continually scanning the marketplace to ensure we are aware of competitive offerings, but the needs of our talent drive how we structure our compensation and benefits,” says Hathcoat. “In addition, we reward based on the success of the company as a whole. That helps ensure we are all focused on a singular goal and support each other to achieve that goal.”

Below, IBA also asked the winners’ employees what they were most satisfied with.