C aree r S ou r ce P o l k R e cogn ize s 20 Ch a m ber M em ber
Busin e s s e s a s B e s t P l ace s t o Work
SINCE 2003, CAREERSOURCE POLK HAS
RECOGNIZED THE BEST PLACES TO
WORK IN POLK COUNTY THROUGH A
COMPETITIVE APPLICATION PROCESS THAT
HONORS EMPLOYERS WHO EXEMPLIFY BEST
PRACTICES IN THEIR WORKPLACE AND
WHO ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE
QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.
THE AWARDS WERE PRESENTED AT THE
CAREERSOURCE POLK ANNUAL MEETING
AND BEST PLACES TO WORK AWARDS ON
AUGUST 20, 2015 IN LAKELAND.
ABOUT THE AWARD:
Applicants are anonymously scored by
an outside panel of Human Resource
professionals on the company’s
demonstrated commitment to:
X Workplace Diversity
X Work/Life Balance of Employees
X An Educated Workforce
X Training and Development Initiatives
X Recruitment of Quality Employees
X Retention of Quality Employees
In addition, applicants also have the opportunity to
share what sets them apart from other employers.
In the second part of the process, an anonymous
and confidential survey is sent to all members of the
company’s staff inquiring about their satisfaction as
an employee and how their company supports the
balance of work and life. Continuing reading to learn a
little about each company and a few of the things that
make them a Best Place to Work.
A special Employer of Distinction Award was created
to recognize those companies who have shown
consistent commitment to improving the quality of
life for their employees. Award winners have received
three consecutive Best Places to Work Awards.
Employers of Distinction
ARRMAZ | KEGEL, LLC | W.S. BADCOCK CORPORATION
CENTER FOR RETINA AND MACULAR DISEASE
POLK COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
POLK COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS
20 | F O R U M F O R B U S I N E S S
Clark Environmental, Inc.
As a small employer Clark Environmental can boast that
of their 20 full time employees, six have been there over
18 years and 5 for over 8 years. This success in retention
is because they really care for their employees. Clark pays
75% of the Employee costs and 50% of the Family Costs
for the most basic health and dental benefit package.
Employees are allowed to donate unused PTO toward
other needy employees, and an exercise room equipped
with weight lifting and cardio equipment is provided
on the property. Through training, communication
and employee care programs, innovative thinking is
fostered, team problem solving is encouraged, and most
importantly, Clark strives to keep all of its employees
engaged and inspired.
CPS Investment Advisors
In order to attract and retain top talent, CPS Investment
Advisors offers employees many benefits including a
401(k), life insurance, medical, and other benefits. Most
notably, their employees enjoy a 50% match on every
dollar they contribute to their 401(k), and their life
insurance premium at 3 times the annual salary is paid at
100%. CPS Investment Advisors supplies fresh fruit, coffee,
water, and soft drinks to employees daily, free of charge
and also hosts employee lunches at various locations
around Lakeland in an effort to see the community.
Employees are encouraged to continue their education
through tuition assistance and providing continuing
education opportunities for those already with advanced
degrees. Employees also receive paid time-off, as well
as flexibility in their scheduling to meet the demands
of everyday life, along with incentives and bonuses for
exceptional service. Each department receives local gift
cards to different businesses for every month they are free
from errors. Employees also have the benefit of attending
large events such as yearly Spring Training Baseball
games and select concerts. Finally, CPS Investment
Advisors host picnics at different points throughout the
year where employees can come and relax with their
families.
Heacock Insurance Group
Heacock Insurance Group, a relatively small, locally
owned company, is proud to contribute 75-77% toward
their employees’ health plan and offer life insurance and
long term disability at no cost. They also offer dental,
vision, and supplemental plans. They focus on treating
their employees like family through fun events such as
holiday luncheons, annual appreciation dinners and a
Christmas party off campus. Employee rewards include
early release for the holiday, end of year bonuses, special
payday treats, birthdays are a paid holiday, and an
annual Christmas shopping trip paid for by Heacock. An
Employee Referral program offers a bonus incentive and
reimbursement for anyone achieving their insurance
licensing.
Lunz Prebor Fowler Architects
Not many companies can boast that almost 50% of their
employees have more than 20 years tenure when the
company is only 27 years old, but Lunz Prebor Fowler
Architects can - and that’s not the only thing that sets
them apart. As a firm with less than 15 employees,
they pride themselves on always paying 100% of each
employee’s cost for health, disability and life insurance.
Company culture is important to them and promotes
collaboration, creativity and community involvement by
allowing employees to participate in life opportunities
such as coaching their daughters’ softball team or going
to see their daughter at swim practice. Their retirement
program is also a unique aspect to their compensation
package. The company funds a Simplified Employee
Pension program. This requires zero contribution by the
employee.
Madrid Engineering Group
Paying 100% of the employees’ health coverage and
25% of their dependents’ health coverage, Madrid
Engineering Group (MEG) also offsets the cost of the
high family deductible with reimbursement of up to
60% of the deductible. There is also a plan for dental,
long term disability, vision, accident, hospital stay,
and cancer riders. MEG pays 100% for a life insurance
policy as well. Employees accrue sick and vacation
pay, which increases with years at the company. Partial
reimbursement for gym memberships, tickets to events
such as banquets, professional basketball, ice hockey, and
fine arts performances, and an office space design that
is intentionally organic promotes health and wellness
of employees. MEG is highly proactive when it comes
to supporting continuing education as they reimburse
tuition cost on work related courses at the post-graduate
level, and cover th H