Healthiest Employers of Rhode Island 2023
1,500-4,999 Employees 1. AAA Northeast
CEO (or equivalent): John Galvin, CEO and president
Number of employees: 3,097
BEST KNOWN FOR ITS ROADSIDE assistance services, AAA Northeast puts safety first – for members, as well as employees. For the Providence-based auto services not-for-profit, this means providing staff with access to tools and services that support physical, mental, emotional and financial health.
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“We’re an organization that provides security and peace of mind to our members, so employees deserve benefits that give them and their families that same reassurance,” said Kristen Botelho Pires, the organization’s vice president of total rewards systems and employee health and safety. “Many of our benefits are embedded in our culture.”
Botelho Pires and Chief Human Resources Officer Ron Arigo are directly responsible for benefits and programs, but all leaders and executives support and uphold these goals, according to AAA Northeast benefit specialist Gina San Giovanni.
One especially popular program is the organization’s wellness rebates. Employees can take advantage of stackable reimbursements for a variety of services, including $125 toward weight management products, fitness, tobacco cessation, mental health and prescription sunglasses. An additional $250 is available for new parents or grandparents to spend on a car seat.
Employees often “light up with excitement” describing how they put their rebates to good use, said AAA Northeast benefit specialist Rosie Guindon.
Also popular among AAA Northeast employees is a program that allows them to be paid to volunteer in the community for 40 hours per year. This benefit “ensures employees have time to invest in their communities in a meaningful way,” according to the organization. Additionally, AAA Northeast organizes group volunteer opportunities at local shelters, food banks and other charitable organizations.
“Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings,” said Karen Diehl, AAA Northeast’s senior employee experience specialist. “By spending time in service to others, employees feel a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received.”
AAA Northeast employees also regularly support the American Heart Association by participating over several years in the Southern New England Heart Walk. Diehl says multiple employees at the events share their personal stories of triumph and loss related to many heart-related conditions.
‘Volunteering reduces stress and increases positive, relaxed feelings.’
KAREN DIEHL, senior employee experience specialist
Supporting employees’ physical health is also a main priority, and about 70% of those who are eligible are on the AAA Northeast-offered health care plan. The not-for-profit also offers its workers access to the diabetes management program Livongo.
“We work closely with our benefit vendors to understand what benefits or programs we should offer, expand, or enhance to further support employees based on market offerings and utilization data,” AAA Northeast Benefits and Human Resources Operations Manager Chelsie McMann said.
For emotional and mental health support, employees can log in for free to myStrength by Teledoc Health. The online-based program provides education, tools and coaching on a range of topics, including mindfulness, relaxation, sleep and stress.
“The importance of mental health and well-being is top of mind throughout the club,” Guindon said. “The programs offered help create an environment where people can openly discuss their mental health concerns and treatment.”
AAA Northeast’s HR leadership is also proud of its annual virtual health fair. The benefits team worked with colleagues in the company’s Learning & Development department to create a platform, accessible via a QR code or web link, for employees to learn about health topics in an engaging way. The most recent fair was themed “Passport to Health” and featured information on physical, mental and financial well-being, as well as environmental, social and governance investing.
Through the virtual fair, participants accessed materials such as coverage charts to help make informed enrollment decisions; links to schedule appointments with wellness program vendors; a schedule of live events; and pre-recorded sessions on topics, including yoga, Medicare and healthy cooking. The fair even included a “reflection corner” that featured relaxing treats, including puppy and kitty cams, coloring activities and relaxing nature videos.
