Omni Community Credit Union of Battle Creek, Mich., tops our third annual "Best Credit Unions to Work For" list. CUs were judged on a variety of topics, including creative incentive plans, volunteering, engaging employees in decision-making, health and wellness programs and perks like holiday parties and off-site adventures.
The 2016 list includes 45 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.
Participating credit unions underwent a two-part assessment administered by Best Companies Group, a third-party research firm. The results of the assessment determined whether a credit union appeared on the final list and where it was ranked.
The first part of the assessment, worth 25%, gathered information about each CU's benefits, policies and HR practices. The second part, which accounted for 75% of the score, involved a confidential 78-question survey of employees.
"Organizations that have a commitment to community involvement tend to have higher employee morale, stronger employee relationships and the ability to build the necessary skill sets and expertise needed to be successful," said Kimberly Jones, AVP of Human Resources Consulting for Credit Union Resources, Inc.
Among credit unions with assets of more than $1 billion, the $2 billion-asset Fairwinds ranked first. Some reasons: not one employee has been laid off in the Orlando CU's 67-year history, and, in 2015, 94 of its 564 employees were promoted from within.
"When we take care of our employees, they take care of our members. When we take care of our members, our business flourishes," said Fairwinds CU's Vice President of Human Resources Administration Lindsey LeWinter. "Providing a caring environment for our employees is one of our core values."
