By Staff Reports
(HONOLULU) – Balancing your job and outside life is easier said than done. It helps when your employer lends a hand.
First Insurance Company of Hawaii (FICOH) was recently awarded the prestigious 2013 Work-Life Seal of Distinction by the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP), a national organization that celebrates employers who show leadership in helping employees succeed at work and in their personal lives. FICOH is the only company in Hawaii to receive the award since it was inaugurated last year. The 54 honorees for 2013 represent both the public and private sectors and include such organizations as Johnson & Johnson, Marriott, Johns Hopkins University and the USDA.
“The primary focus across all our programs and initiatives is to attract, motivate and retain an engaged workforce,” said Derek Kanehira, First Insurance’s Human Resources assistant vice president. “Creating an environment that supports employees personally and professionally is something we continually work at, so it is nice to see our efforts recognized in this way.”
To earn the Work-Life Seal of Distinction, employers must show leadership in workplace flexibility, creative use of paid and unpaid time off, health and wellness, community involvement, care for dependents, financial support and organizational culture.
Among the programs and benefits First Insurance has in place to help its associates achieve work-life balance are flex time, sick leave for sick child care, floating holidays that associates can use at their discretion and free “Balance Life” events for which outside experts are brought in to cover topics related to health, wellness, home and family issues.
First Insurance also has a Profit Plus Plan, part of its total compensation philosophy that rewards associates for their contributions to the company’s success, and offers tuition reimbursement and financial awards for associates who earn key professional designations that help them grow and take on new challenges in their jobs.
Community giving is also a key part of the company’s corporate culture. The company’s community action team, or First CAT, organizes diverse volunteer opportunities to fit different schedules and community passions throughout the year, including opportunities such as delivering Meals on Wheels that associates can incorporate into their work day. Additionally, the First Insurance Charitable Foundation matches associate gifts to eligible nonprofit organizations.
Organizations that achieve the 2013 Work-Life Seal of Distinction will be celebrated at the Work-Life Awards Gala during the AWLP Work-Life Forum in Baltimore in February. For more information about AWLP, visit www.awlp.org/awlp/home/html/homepage.jsp.
Earlier this year, First Insurance was also recognized as an American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite and won Pacific Business News’ Community Spirit Award.