Who are the best mid-sized employers in upstate NY? Hint: No. 2 has an office in Utica
An on-site summertime farmer’s market. Lunchtime yoga. Food truck rodeos. Ice cream socials. Team wellness challenges, salads in the vending machines and a walking trail.
Maybe those are some of the perks that landed the Rochester-based Excellus BlueCross BlueShield in the number two spot on the Forbes magazine’s list of the 500 best mid-sized employers with between 1,000 and 5,000 workers.
“We were just as surprised as anyone,” said Excellus Regional President Eve Van de Wal. “It was a very welcome surprise.”
To compile its lists, Forbes teamed up with the research firm Statista, Inc. on a survey of about 45,000 Americans working for companies with more than 1,000 employees in 25 industry sectors. The survey asked the employees how strongly, on a scale of one to 10, they would recommend their employer to family and friends, and whether they would recommend any other employers in their industry.
Van de Wal speculated the results reflect the company’s commitment to a culture that promotes inclusivity, values and recognizes the good work of its employees, and asks employees what they want.
“I just think that we’re really trying,” she said. “We put our employees first because they’re our biggest asset. This award is thanks to them. There’s no doubt about it.”
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These NY employers made Forbes 'best' list
Excellus, which is headquartered in Rochester and has offices in Utica, Syracuse, Watertown, Elmira, Binghamton and Plattsburgh, isn’t the only upstate company to make the cut.
Other mid-sized employers on Forbes’ list include:
Kodak Alaris in Rochester (No. 25)
Syracuse University (No. 29)
HealthNow New York in Buffalo (No. 93)
New York State Insurance Fund in Albany (No. 145)
National Fuel Gas in Williamsville (No. 219)
Rochester Institute of Technology in Henrietta (No. 227)
Raymond Corporation in Greene (No. 337)
Arnot Health in Elmira (No. 433)
Stewart’s Shops in Ballston Spa (No. 447)
Mediacom Communications in Blooming Grove (No. 477)
Life Storage in Buffalo (No. 496)
HealthNow affiliated with the Pittsburgh-based Highmark Inc. early in 2020 to become Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York and Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York.
Three more companies based in upstate New York made the Forbes list of the top 500 large employers: Wegmans Food Markets in Rochester (No. 44); Paychex in Rochester (No. 118); M&T Bank in Buffalo (No. 174); and SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse (No. 245).
Excellus embracing work-life balance: 'Everybody feels valued and appreciated'
Excellus Utica employee Amanda Aiello, who was chosen by the company for an interview with the Observer-Dispatch, was hired in 2020 for an office job that became virtual on her first day. Now Aiello, an R.N. who does utilization management reviews, has the choice between working in the office and working from home, choosing home for the flexibility it gives her time to take care of her 10-year-old son, which was the reason she left her last job.
Unlike many companies, Aiello said Excellus really understands the need for work-life balance.
And Excellus always made sure she got to know her co-workers despite working from home, through the usual telephone calls and Microsoft Teams chats as well as special events like a virtual talent show and a departmental picnic once COVID-19 restrictions eased.
“They do such a great job about making sure that we are treated well and that everybody feels valued and appreciated,” she said. “They make sure to give us opportunities for growth. It’s just nice working somewhere where you know they care about you as an individual contributor.
“And when everybody’s happy, it’s easier to do a good job, too.”
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Excellus BlueCross makes Forbes' 'best' list: Where NY employer ranks
