Assurance Climbs to Number 8 on Crain's Chicago Business 2009 Ranking of the Best Places to Work in Chicago

SCHAUMBURG, IL (March 2, 2009) – Assurance Agency, Ltd., located in Schaumburg, IL, has been named the 8th Best Place to Work in Chicago according to Crain’s Chicago Business. This is the second consecutive year Assurance has appeared in Crain’s Top 20 list of the best workplaces, previously finishing number 9 in 2008.

As part of the evaluation effort, employer and employee surveys were conducted by Valtera Corp., a Rolling Meadows-based employee and human resources consulting firm. Employer surveys focused on quantitative issues about pay, promotions, health care and other benefits, hiring practices and more. The employee questionnaires dealt with fairness of pay, vacation time, relationships with management and with co-workers, and other issues about the day-to-day workplace.

In determining their rankings, Crain’s focused on the degree to which employees feel involved and committed to their work, which they referred to as “employee engagement”. Key factors in engagement include open and transparent management, clear communication of company goals and obvious paths to promotions. Valtera CEO William H. Macey noted, "When everybody's interests are aligned, (employees) feel good about what (they) do, and the company in effect gains a competitive advantage."

“We are fond of saying that the best way to create real value for our clients is to create real opportunities for our employees,” notes Lisa Pinion, Assurance’s Vice President of Human Resources. “Recognition by Crain’s Chicago Business as a top workplace is a wonderful validation of our company culture and the shared commitment our employees have in achieving our vision.”