Atomic Credit Union in Ohio found a less expensive health insurance plan for employees after premiums were set to increase by 50%. The new plan has higher deductibles but is still fully paid by the employer. Atomic and other credit unions on the inaugural "Best Credit Unions to Work For" list strive to create caring environments for employees through benefits like fully paid health insurance, incentive plans, wellness programs, and opportunities for fun. These positive work cultures benefit both employees and credit union members.

1. CRED IT UNIO N
JO UR NA L T H E N E W S W E E K L Y F O R G R O W T H - O R I E N T E D C R E D I T U N I O N S
BEST CUs TO WORK FOR
Five years ago, a 50% increase in premiums threatened to
end company-paid health coverage for employees of Atomic
Credit Union in Piketon, Ohio. Plenty of companies have
shifted the cost of rising premiums to employees. Atomic
went shopping instead, and found a less-expensive plan.
While the new plan carries higher deductibles, it still is
offered at no cost to employees, according to Julie Maple,
vice president of human resources at Atomic, which has 128
employees and assets of $218.8 million.
Ever since Atomic’s switch, premium increases have been
in the single digits, with the most recent clocking in at 3%,
Maple said.
“As long as we are getting minimal increases, the
company will continue to provide for the employees in
that manner,” she said of the employer-paid premium.
“This is just one of the ways that we feel like we can help
take care of our employees.”
Fully paid health insurance is not the only way to take care
of employees, of course. Atomic and other organizations
appearing on the inaugural list of the Best Credit Unions
to Work for also offer creative incentive plans, engage their
employees in decision-making, provide perks designed to
improve health and wellness, and create regular outlets for
fun and games.
The list includes 30 credit unions, divided
into four categories based on assets: $200
million or less; $200 million to $500
million; $500 million to $1 billion; and $1
billion or more.
There was no cost to appear on the list.
Participating credit unions simply had to
opt in and have at least 25 employees. They
also underwent a two-part assessment
administered by Best Companies Group, a
third-party research firm. The results of the
assessment determined whether and where
a credit union appeared on the final list.
The first part of the assessment, worth 25 percent,
gathered information about each CU’s benefits, policies
and HR practices. The second part, which accounted for
75 percent of thescore, involved a confidential 78-question
survey of employees.
Atomic ranked at the top of the list for credit unions with
$200 million to $500 million in assets. In addition to paying
the entire premium for health insurance, Atomic strives to
create a caring environment for employees, Maple said.
“It’s fun to come to work whenever you know that you’re
not just considered a number,” she said. “Here, you are an
employee that is cared for and cared about,
and your co-workers are your family.”
A similar sentiment can be found at other
credit unions on the list, with many citing a
family atmosphere or caring environment as a
favorite workplace feature among employees.
Benefiting Employees and CUs
The environment’s benefits flow not
just to employees, but also to credit union
members, said Brandi McKinney, human
resources director at Alabama Credit Union
in Tuscaloosa, Ala. It was No. 2 among credit
unions with $500 million to $1 billion in assets.
October 20, 2014
New Research Survey Reveals Top CU Employers
By Joel Berg
OVER $1 BILLION IN ASSETS
1 MSU FCU
2 Tinker FCU
3 Mountain America CU
4 America First CU
5 Fairwinds CU
6 EECU CU, Fort Worth, TX
7 Vantage West CU
8 CFE FCU
9 Randolph-Brooks FCU
10 Goldenwest CU
INAUGURAL
RANKING

2. “If we can do everything we can for our employees and
create a wonderful atmosphere where they want to come
to work every day and they want to do their best, then the
membership will see that as well,” said McKinney.
As long as we are getting minimal increases, the company
will continue to provide for employees.
Julie Maple
One of the most important ingredients in sustaining that
atmosphere is an understanding of what employees go through
on a daily basis, McKinney said. But little things also play a
role, such as awarding a paid day off for employee birthdays.
“It may seem small, but people appreciate it more than you
would think,” she said. “Many look forward to that birthday
leave more than any other vacation day they take.”
A little fun is helpful, too, even if it means donning a pair of
oversized glasses and speaking into a large foam microphone.
That’s how Pennie Holck kicked off an all-staff meeting
METHODOLOGY
Credit Union Journal’s “Best CUs to Work for” study was
performed in conjunction with the Best Companies Group,
which reviews employer reports on benefits and policies,
along with extensive employee surveys to generate the rankings.
“Best Credit Unions to Work for” study was performed in
conjunction with the Best Companies Group, which reviews
employer reports on benefits and policies, along with extensive
employee surveys to generate the rankings. CUs must opt in to
be considered; there is no fee to participate. Eligible candidates
must be chartered credit unions in the United States with at least
25 employees.
Participating CUs underwent a two-part assessment
administered by Best Companies Group. The results of the
assessment determined whether and where an institution
appeared on the final list. The first part of the assessment, worth
25 percent, gathered information about each CU’s benefits,
policies and HR practices. The second part, which accounted
for 75 percent of a credit union’s score, involved a confidential
78-question survey of employees.
Both data sets are analyzed to determine the ranking. An
Employee Feedback Report is available for purchase. To be
considered a Best Credit Union to Work for, an institution must
meet certain criteria set by CU Journal and/or Best Companies
Group. Not all eligible applicants may qualify for the ranking.
For information on applying to next year’s ranking, please visit
www.bestcreditunionstoworkfor.com.
in July for Yolo Federal Credit Union. Based in Woodland,
Calif., Yolo was No. 7 among credit unions with $200 million
to $500 million in assets.
Holck likes to start the twice-yearly meetings with a dose
of humor that is not work-related. For the July meeting, she
came up with a game she dubbed “Fast & Furious Spotlight.”
Every employee’s name went into a hat, and Holck pulled
out 10 at random, she wrote in an email. Yolo’s CEO, Jenee
Rawlings, was among them. The 10 employees had to deliver
15-second bursts of personal information, including their
dream vacations and things most people wouldn’t know
about them.
Holck went first, but not before whipping out a foam
microphone and a pair of white glasses. She revealed that she
once played bass guitar in a jazz band.
“Then all 10 employees down the line did the same thing,
using the huge, phony, foam microphone and silly glasses
up front in front of everyone,” Holck wrote. “It was a hoot!
Everyone was cracking up.”
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