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Hy-Vee breaks new ground with part-time employee benefits plan

Midwestern chain says program is “first of its kind” in retail

Russell Redman

May 1, 2018

1 Min Read
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Hy-Vee Inc. has introduced a benefits program for part-time employees that it calls the first of its kind in the retail industry.

The Midwestern grocer said the program offers 11 benefit options to its more than 58,000 part-time staff ages 19 and older. Spouses and dependents also are covered by the plan, whose options include health, dental and vision benefits; short-term disability, accident and critical illness coverage; hospital indemnity; group life, individual life and disability insurance; auto, homeowner and renter insurance; and pet insurance.

An employee-owned company, Hy-Vee is providing the benefits through its Midwest Heritage financial services subsidiary and Connecture, a web-based health insurance distribution platform.

Part-time Hy-Vee employees shop for medical insurance options and group benefits through an online portal, branded as the Hy-Vee Part-time Smart Choices Marketplace. Powered by Connecture, the portal uses smart features to help employees select benefits that best match their needs.

Medical insurance options cost as little as $200 a month, depending on electives and coverage type, Hy-Vee said. To help identify employee benefit needs, Hy-Vee and Midwest Heritage conducted a companywide survey, which showed that 80% of part-time employees consider benefits key to choosing a part-time position.

Related:Hy-Vee adjusts growth strategy

“We developed the new part-time employee benefits program with the goal of giving Hy-Vee a competitive advantage in the recruiting and retention efforts of our part-time employees,” Sheila Laing, chief administrative officer and executive vice president at Hy-Vee, said in a statement. “Benefits are an important component to the health and satisfaction of our employees. This program is unique in our industry and differentiates us from other retailers, while improving the lives of our employees.”

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee operates more than 245 stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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