Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1481577
20 B E S T P L A C E S TO W O R K 2 0 2 2 MEDIUM EMPLOYER (50 - 249 U.S. EMPLOYEES) Patriot Subaru Paying 100% of health insurance premiums P atriot Subaru is not one to miss an opportunity to celebrate! Each year, it has a Founders Club din- ner for all associates who have served over five years, with dining at a fine restaurant and each associate receiving a bonus check that increases each year. The company believes in people and hires individuals who are dealing with mental health issues, including addiction. It hires people who have struggled and are now finding suc- cess with ongoing support and recov- ery centers. Over the past six years, Patriot Subaru has partnered with STRIVE, a local 501c3 that works with developmentally dis- abled teens and young adults, on multiple fundraising and awareness programs. Currently there are four veterans on the team. Aside from some additional discount programs offered to all veter- ans, the company shows appreciation to veterans by paying for their attendance at an annual Veterans Lunch hosted by the local Rotary Club. For associ- ates who have children in the military, the company provides them extended personal days to visit. But all associates get similar consider- ation. Benefits are top-of-the line, starting by paying 100% of health, dental, and vision insur- ance premiums, while providing a discounted rate to the associate's family. Wellness and pharmaceu- ticals are included in the coverage packages. Profit sharing is given to all employees and associates who can contribute to their personal 401(k) plan; after the first year, Patriot will match their annual contribution up to $500 per year. Monthly bonuses for all associates include $100 for district sales, customer satisfaction sales and customer satisfaction service. If all three goals are achieved, every associate receives $1,000. A year-end event includes a first-class hotel, live band, large-screen TV give- aways, and a bonus check. Clientele have come in to decorate the showroom with art projects and greet customers at the door. For extra fun during the day? Oddly, cornhole boards have gotten quite a bit of use – inside as well as outside! More than one blizzardy winter afternoon turned into cornhole-mania in the showroom. Casual dress is always welcome – and the crew wears football jerseys in-season. Not always New England Patriots either! Colby Co. Engineering Valuing employees and fostering collaboration W ith 60 employees, Colby Co. Engineering has served as the prime A/E for the design of building and facilities projects totaling a com- bined $750 million in construction costs throughout New England. The culture is one of deep respect for, and collaboration with, every team member, resulting in an extremely co- hesive technical staff. The oft-repeated mantra? "Say the second thing that comes to your mind and make sure it's kind." and get my job done." "They genu- inely care for me and show this through offering good benefits and opportunities to get together." Paid benefits include free parking, paid health and dental care, paid short and long term disability insurance, a 401(k) match, paid parental leave, cell phone stipend, paid professional development, and a commuter incen- tive. Colby's Anni- versary Bonus pro- gram offers $5,000 for 5-year anniver- saries, $10,000 for 10 years, $15,000 for 15 years and $20,000 for 20 years. In 2020, Colby created the Maine State Parks Contest with prizes awarded for employees who visited the most parks. Free two-night stay at any of the Maine Huts and Trails lodges, and a free, two- night stay at the New England Outdoor Center are always fun! Employees may choose between HMO and HSA plans. If employees choose the HSA plan, Colby will contribute $500 to the employee's HSA bank account. The company also offers a $1,500 payment to employees who waive medical insurance because they are covered elsewhere. A unique feature here is the Five Slides program, which allows two employees at each bi-weekly company meeting to present five slides about themselves. This has encouraged connections be- tween employees, especially in the hybrid workplace. Colby sent care packages with Maine-made gifts to each employee this year. They included handwritten notes from the owners noting their apprecia- tion and included specific references to each employee's contributions. Patriot Subaru 769 Portland Rd., Saco, ME 04072 patriotsubaru.com Top local executive: Adam Arens, Owner & President Number of Maine employees: 81 Colby Co. Engineering 47A York St., Portland, ME 04101 colbycoengineering.com Top local executive: Sarah Emily Colby, CEO Number of Maine employees: 61 # 1 # 2 Patriot Subaru fashion. Some days you all feel purple. What should we wear tomorrow? Company Ski Day at Sunday River.