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The Best Practices Guide: "Are they hiring?"

Big benefits from a small company

The first question most people ask when they hear about NJ Sullivan's benefits is, "Are they hiring?"

That's not surprising, considering the company pays 100 percent of medical insurance costs—including premiums and deductibles. When employees start participating in the 401(k) plan, NJ Sullivan gives them a raise equal to their deferral—plus a generous match. (Oh, and did we mention the gas subsidy for every employee when prices were high?)

Neil J. Sullivan II, president of NJ Sullivan, "treats others how he wants to be treated," says Christie Hope Greenland, the company's controller. "He looks at his employees as his family."

Of course, he isn't only doing this out of the goodness of his heart. There are benefits for the business, too. As Sullivan explains, "Happy employees equal productive employees."

Attraction and retention aren't problems, either. The company has lured several high-performing employees—including their vice president—away from much larger organizations. And a total compensation spreadsheet helps keep those employees around.

"I created a spreadsheet for each employee showing our benefits, bonuses and annual wages," explains Hope Greenland. "We use that as a tool for the guy who comes in and says he wants to leave to make $2 an hour more somewhere else."

The company's strategies obviously work—for the company and for employees. NJ Sullivan's turnover is less than one percent over the last five years. Their average employee tenure is 15 years. And employees are building up very nice nest eggs.

"Our oldest employee, who started working here when he was 18, just retired," Hope Greenland says. "He has a great chunk of money for his retirement. I doubt he would have that if he didn't have an employer who encouraged participation and paid for it."

"Happy employees equal productive employees."
– Neil J. Sullivan II, president, NJ Sullivan Company, Inc.

What can you learn from NJ Sullivan?

• Benefits can boost productivity, as well as employee attraction and retention.
• Small companies can use benefits to compete against big organizations for top employees.
• Total compensation statements can be eye openers for employees.

About NJ Sullivan Company, Inc.

Find out more about their benefits in NJ Sullivan Company, Inc.'s winner profile.