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BizVoice/Indiana Chamber – September/October 2017
Retirees are never far from
management’s mind at Roche
Diagnostics in Indianapolis.
And often, they’re back on its
sprawling 159-acre northeast
side campus, which houses 29
buildings.
Retirees receive flu shots at the
on-site wellness center. They dine
at the cafeteria. And some fish at
the employee park.
“It’s that overall experience we try to create
for our employees,” reveals head of total
rewards Judy Embry. “It’s the whole continuum,
right? From when they walk in the door and
even after they leave, because they are our
ambassadors of Roche. We value them.”
A large portion of Roche’s retirement
program centers around options. As more
and more companies cut back on various
retirement benefits, Roche has been one of
the exceptions.
“We still offer a variety of plan options,
of which we have a pension, 401(k), retiree
medical, long-term care,” shares vice president
and site head Bridget Boyle. “Many companies,
what we see, is that they’re starting to cut
retiree medical. They’re starting to cut
pensions and that’s something we absolutely
haven’t done. In fact, not only have we
continued to offer those benefits, but we
continue to offer them at an above-market
level, so we’re very proud of that.”
The Roche Group, headquartered in
Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries.
Roche Diagnostics employs nearly 3,500
Hoosiers and more than 4,600 associates
nationwide.
Weddle Bros. Construction, founded in
1946, also provides generous retirement
benefits (to non-collective bargaining employees).
Lee Carmichael, president and CEO, asserts
they absolutely play a role in attracting and
retaining talent.
“You have to take it with your total
benefit program, but it really makes an
impact. As we recruit candidates, they’re
looking not just at salary ranges anymore.
They’re looking at the benefit packages, the
cost of those benefit packages to them and
how they’re going to be able to retire to fit
their lifestyle. It’s been key as we’ve gone out
and recruited.”
Based in Bloomington, Weddle employs
approximately 330 people. It also has offices
in Indianapolis and Evansville.
Painting a picture
ProCourse Fiduciary Advisors is a
retirement plan advisory firm headquartered
in Carmel.
A common challenge employers face,
remarks chief executive officer Doug Prince,
Trends in Pensions, 401(k) Plans
RETIRING TIMES
By Symone C. Skrzycki
Special Section: Banking/Finance/Investments