Mission of service helps reward Amica workers

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: A lunch time yoga class on campus is just one of the many parts of Amica Mutual Insurance’s employee-centered culture. / PBN PHOTO/BRIAN MCDONALD
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS: A lunch time yoga class on campus is just one of the many parts of Amica Mutual Insurance’s employee-centered culture. / PBN PHOTO/BRIAN MCDONALD

In a decade that has seen too many layoffs and company closings, job security may well be among the best things about working at Amica Mutual Insurance Co.
The Lincoln company has had no staff reductions in recent years. Robert A. DiMuccio, the chairman, president and CEO, commented on that record with understatement: “We’ve been here 107 years. We consider ourselves a stable company.”
Of course, stability would mean less if work at Amica failed to provide rewards. The company makes sure its 3,130 employees want to stay on the job by offering fair compensation, generous benefits, opportunities to advance, job satisfaction and a sense of community.
“We’re a service-based company,” said Paul Pyne, Amica’s chief operating officer. “Our mission is providing peace of mind. Our employees are the ones who accomplish that. They take the time to know customers as individuals, to determine which products would be best for them. To build that peace of mind, we’ve developed an employee-centered culture.”
The result is that employee turnover at Amica is half the average rate for the insurance industry. “The average length of time our employees have been with us is 12 years, but we have a number of people who’ve been with us more than 25 years,” said Jill Andy, senior vice president of human resources.
Longevity is so valued at Amica that when a staff member reaches that 25-year milestone, his or her name is engraved on a brick, to be displayed near the fountain on the company campus. Amica offers reduced schedules for older employees who are contemplating retirement but would prefer to remain in the workforce at fewer hours. Amica also rehires some retired employees on a part-time basis.
Working at Amica offers some soul-satisfying dividends, Pyne said. “When you read about the tornados that caused so much destruction in Oklahoma, you’re reminded that you’re involved with an organization that helps people recover from such disasters,” he said. “It’s rewarding to help people through a difficult time in their lives.” But Amica’s compensation package is rewarding as well. The average annual salary for management is $93,177; for other employees, $44,641. The full-time work week is 37.5 hours. Part-timers who work at least 25 hours are eligible for benefits.
There are bonuses, too. The annual success sharing and service bonus can boost a full-time employee’s pay by as much as 9 percent. Sales representatives are eligible for monthly bonuses based on the number of policies they write. Account representatives may earn points for use in a sales-catalog program.
The benefits package is strong. The company pays 75 percent to 90 percent of the medical coverage premium for employees and their dependents. The same is true of prescription and dental coverage.
“We still have a pension,” said Tara Costello, a claims adjuster who is approaching her 10-year anniversary with the company. “That’s not always the case elsewhere. The 401(k) plan is matched dollar for dollar from day one. We have sick time that rolls over, and vacation time grows with seniority. This year, I’ll be getting four weeks.”
Another reason for employee longevity is the company’s promote-from-within policy. It backs that up with training and development programs, so workers will have the skills they will need when they step up to new assignments. Amica also pays tuition for work-related courses outside the company, and any travel expenses that go with that.
On top of that, the company provides some extras to keep the crew content. Its workplace-wellness program seems to draw the most comments.
“We have a beautiful fitness center on our corporate campus,” said Samuel Palmisano, assistant vice president of human resources. “It’s got all the weights, all the cardio equipment, and the flat screen TVs to watch while you work out.” “It’s a great facility,” added Costello. “There are always a couple of trainers there, so you’ll know how to use the equipment. The membership fee is very small, a $5 deduction from your paycheck.”
For people who prefer to work out at a fitness club close to home, the company provides partial dues reimbursement. Amica employees also enjoy a walking trail around the corporate campus, yoga classes and chair massages. The company has plans to build a basketball court soon. Weight-loss programs and smoking-cessation classes are provided on campus.
Amica uses volunteering to both build ties to local communities and to promote team spirit among the staff. It’s not uncommon to see groups of Amica employees at Rhode Island walkathons or telethons. Every fall they set up water-stop booths for runners in the United Healthcare Newport Marathon, a charity fundraising event. Recently, several dozen volunteered to work at a Special Olympics event.
“We’ll put out an email telling employees we’re sponsoring an event, say a fundraising telethon, and invite them to volunteer,” said Andy. “We sometimes get so many offers, we have to hold a raffle to award the volunteer spots.
“An employee can submit a request to take a few hours off or a whole day off to participate in a volunteer project. And if employees make a financial donation of $30 or more, the company will donate $1.50 for every $1 they give.”
Amica hosts fun events, too. Every few weeks, employees spend their lunch break enjoying programs at the company amphitheater. Some address topical issues: recently a counselor discussed how to help kids deal with bullies. And in warm-weather months there are company picnics, at which employees are served by senior staff. The next summer party will have an India theme, with Indian food, Indian music, cricket games and Bollywood movies in the amphitheater. •

No posts to display