Employees at Koch Eye Associates take pride in their company’s corporate involvement and the spirit of volunteerism fostered in the office.
Koch Eye is a sponsor of numerous community programs, including Special Olympics, Junior Achievement, Meals on Wheels, charity golf tournaments, sports leagues and fundraising walks. And the company encourages employees to follow that example, providing paid time off for volunteer work and running blood drives in the office every three months.
“We’ve been active in the Rhode Island Mentoring Partnership for 15 years,” said Peter A. Koch, company CEO. “Each of our employees goes to one of the Warwick schools one day a month, with pay, and spends time mentoring a child there.”
That’s just one of many reasons Koch Eye is considered a great place to work. The ophthalmology and optometry practice has seven offices throughout the state.
The company provides individual and family health and dental benefits – with domestic partners included – subsidized on a sliding scale. The longer an employee’s length of employment, the larger the stipend toward their monthly premium.
Employees receive vision care free of charge, and purchase their eyeglasses and contact lenses at wholesale prices. And the company reimburses employees for health club membership. There are Weight Watcher meetings and tai chi classes right at the office. Tuition reimbursement is available to all employees for attending job-related seminars or pursuing job-related college degrees.
Employee achievement is recognized with year-end bonuses. “I’m proud to say that since 1987, we have never missed a holiday bonus,” said Koch. “And the doctors get the same amount as the receptionists, because it’s really a team effort here.” •
