Welcome to our Partner Profile Series. Each month, we feature insights and perspectives from HR professionals and consultants working with various clients to address today's most pressing issues.
This month, our spotlight is on Alliant Insurance Services. Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nation’s leading insurance brokerage firms and one of the top 5 largest US brokers, helping clients meet challenges in risk management, property and casualty insurance, and domestic and global benefits. With over 130 offices nationwide, Alliant offers a comprehensive portfolio of innovative and forward-thinking services to businesses in a wide range of industries.
This month, I sat down with Cheryl Priddy, a Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at Alliant. Cheryl has almost 30 years of experience in benefits, the majority of which have been spent on the employer side. Her key areas of expertise include benefits operations, strategic planning, management of health and welfare benefits and absence management.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and provide an overview of your role and responsibilities at Alliant?
I have nearly 30 years of experience in HR, benefits, and total rewards roles, primarily within the healthcare sector. This extensive background has been invaluable in my current role at Alliant Insurance Services. Here, I evaluate, recommend, and address the needs of various clients regarding their benefits programs, leveraging my deep understanding of what employers and employees require in today’s complex benefits landscape.
Can you share a bit about your journey from being an VP, Total Rewards to your current role at Alliant Insurance Services? What motivated the transition?
After spending my entire career on the employer side, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was ready for a new challenge. I wanted to apply my knowledge and experience in HR to the broker/consultant side. The decision to join Alliant was motivated by my desire to influence a broader range of organizations and make a bigger impact in the field of employee benefits.
How has your experience in Human Resources influenced your approach to your current work in the insurance industry?
My HR background gives me a unique perspective, allowing me to truly understand what clients experience daily. Having been in their position, I am able to see and hear things differently, which helps me to provide more tailored and effective solutions to meet their needs.
Given your extensive background in HR, what do you believe are the most pressing issues HR departments face today, especially in terms of employee benefits?
Staffing continues to be a major concern, particularly in healthcare. This challenge puts immense pressure on organizations to offer creative and cost-effective benefits packages. It’s no longer enough to simply offer standard benefits; organizations need to differentiate themselves by providing programs that truly stand out and make a meaningful impact on employee well-being and satisfaction.
How do you see the role of PTO (Paid Time Off) evolving in the context of employee wellness and retention?
PTO has evolved from just a benefit to a crucial part of wellness and retention strategies. Employers now recognize PTO as essential for mental health, with an increasing focus on combating burnout by promoting more generous and flexible PTO policies. The rise in awareness about burnout has prompted companies to move away from rigid PTO structures, allowing employees greater flexibility in how they use their time off. Programs like PTO Exchange play a significant role in creating these flexible and personalized PTO solutions, helping organizations support their employees’ well-being more effectively.
At Alliant Insurance Services, how do you collaborate with HR teams to ensure that the insurance solutions you provide align with their organizational needs?
Every organization is unique, so we prioritize gaining a deep understanding of each company’s specific needs and culture. We work closely with HR teams to ensure our solutions are tailored to align with their strategic goals. Additionally, we stay informed about industry trends and challenges, which allows us to bring relevant insights and apply them effectively to each client’s situation.
What are some innovative solutions or approaches Alliant is taking to address the changing landscape of employee benefits?
Alliant is at the forefront of innovation, particularly in the area of absence management, which some might call our superpower! Through our proprietary healthcare trust we are able to provide clients with comprehensive support across all aspects of absence and time-off management. This includes strategic guidance, compliance, and financial savings, allowing organizations to manage absence and time-off challenges more effectively and efficiently.
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Published on Aug 28, 2024 by Dave Sherman
