This Memorial Day, Assurant joins voices across the United States to remember, honor, and show appreciation for those who’ve paid ultimate service and sacrifice for their country.

We’d like to thank Assurant People Partner, Air Force veteran, and member of the Veterans@Assurant Leadership team, Eric Crowley, for passionately highlighting many of the observances that transpired this month, while encouraging fellow veterans to acknowledge these important moments across the month of May.

While we pause to honor those service people who’ve passed during duty this Memorial Day, our Veterans@Assurant Employee Resource Group (ERG) and colleagues have reflected on numerous occasions throughout May in recognition of our community of veterans. These observances have included:

• Public Service Recognition Day (May 7th)
  “Less than one-half of one percent of our population serves in the military, and only 14.5% of the workforce serves in the public sector. While relatively small in number, they are huge in impact…”
  Read more.
• National Military Spouse Appreciation Day (May 12th)
  “…Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a day to feel appreciated and celebrated. It's a reminder that our service and sacrifices do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. It's a day to be honored for our resilience and commitment to our families, our service members, and our country….” Read more.
• Armed Forces Day (May 20th)
  “The common thread: a simple but honorable commitment to step into the breach when asked so that we can all enjoy the freedoms we’re so used to and I suspect all too often, take for granted…”
  Read more.
• Mental Health Awareness Month
  “…Assurant is highlighting the importance of mental health and emotional wellbeing by raising awareness, normalizing the importance of getting the help you need, and highlighting all the resources available to our employees. Seeking treatment and support for your mental health should be no different than for your physical health. This week, make it a point to check in with your family, friends, and colleagues to see how they’re doing. You never know the personal battles others are facing and the difference you can make by reaching out.” – Keith Demmings, President & CEO, Assurant
  Read More.

As we wrap up this month of recognition with Memorial Day, we reflect on, remember, and appreciate all the veterans and their families who have sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you for all of those who have given their all and to those who supported them.

The Veterans@Assurant ERG was launched on July 4th, 2022 and currently has 160 members. This group's goal is to foster a sense of belonging, engagement, and empowerment for Assurant veterans, military families, and allies. They are working to cultivate a strong community that embraces veterans in our workplace, drives outward engagement with veteran programs, and enriches The Assurant Way. We are thankful to have such a wonderful group of people with a passion for veterans inside and outside of Assurant!

Our culture is the secret to our success, and we call it The Assurant Way. The four dimensions of The Assurant Way describe the things that make our company culture unique: Our purpose. Our values. Our commitments. And our vision.

To further recognize the contributions made by our employees, we recently introduced The Assurant Way CEO Award. This recognition takes into account all the components of The Assurant Way and also highlights commitments to community engagement. When employees embody our values to deliver on our commitments and care for our customers and communities, it helps to carry out our purpose and drive our vision.

The winners are chosen quarterly and are nominated by their fellow coworkers. Employees selected will:

• Receive a $1,500 bonus 
• Be able to make a donation grant of $1,500 from the Assurant Foundation for a charity/charities of their choice.

We are excited to share the Q1 2023 winners of The Assurant Way CEO Award

Armando Lazo

Armando is a Marketing Design Manager, primarily supporting Global Automotive, and has been with Assurant for 9 years. Working closely with our lines of business (LOB), he directs and participates in the creative process of the conception and design of various projects, including printed and digital marketing collaterals, interactive materials, design support for Trade Shows and events, and motion graphic videos.

He was nominated for demonstrating the commitment to bring grit & determination to get things done. Armando designed a new look and feel for Assurant Vehicle Care, a newly launched suite of products that brings AFAS and legacy Assurant products together under a single brand. In support of the business and master brand, Armando redid numerous pieces of collateral while simultaneously designing a compelling booth experience for dealers at the annual National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA). On top of that, he went above and beyond his role as a designer by serving as an on-site technician and photographer at NADA.

Reflecting on his accomplishment, Armando feels "fortunate to count on the exceptional leaders on our Creative Services team from whom we always have immediate support and clear guidance,” remarking that they are an essential key to the success of the organization. “I believe we cannot embrace The Assurant Way if we do not have the guidance and leadership we have at every level,” he says, adding that “it would not have been possible for me to achieve any of this without my team's support and tireless efforts in supporting our LOBs.”

Armando is passionate about design in all its disciplines (inside and outside of Assurant), photography, and the sea. He enjoys fishing and scuba diving, and one of his recent hobbies has been discovering the art of making custom fishing rods and lures. He also loves to travel with his family and create unforgettable memories and experiences. “It is gratifying to have the opportunity to allow our son to learn about different cultures and people,” he shares.

Kamala Devi Bhamidi

Kamala is a Business Analyst and Technical Project Manager in Global Housing Operations, and she has been with Assurant for a little over three years. As a Business Analyst, Kamala analyzes complex business processes, identifies areas for improvement, and develops strategies to improve business performance and achieve organizational goals.

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment to spend time on what adds the most value. Kamala’s attention to detail, methodology, and project leadership resulted in the successful launch of Assurant Classic Car Portal, a new platform that will replace three legacy systems. Going above and beyond, she wrote a clear and well-structured business requirement, identified automation opportunities, helped create reports and a dashboard, and implemented multiple process improvements.

Regarding her accomplishment, “the key to the success of the automation project is to identify and understand business and technological challenges that users are currently facing and to design technically advanced-integrated solutions to address those challenges,” Kamala shares. “My vision for this project is to focus on using technology to increase efficiencies, enhance customer/user experiences and drive business growth and innovation.” Beyond adding business value, she also has a focus on solving the new challenges encountered with third-party data integrations to demonstrate maximized effectiveness of automation.

Outside of Assurant, Kamala volunteers for non-profit organizations, designing, building, and maintaining their web platforms. In addition to enjoying time with her family and teaching mathematics and statistics, Kamala also has a passion for designing jewelry.

James Jefferson

James is a Team Manager in Complaints and has been with Assurant for 10 years. He manages the FOS/Executive Complaints Team that handles all complaints for UK Connected Living and Automotive and also manages the newly created Support Squad.

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for his commitment to be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions, as he helped to create the Support Squad team—a middle point between frontline and the complaints team. This idea resulted in significant improvements to the overall complaints process, proven success based on key performance indicators and a cost saving in complaints with an overall reduction in effort and 20% saving on FTE.

“The Support Squad have really transformed how we handle complaints,” says James. It not only allows Team Managers much more time with their teams to provide coaching, but it also enables them to provide quicker and real-time solutions to customers.

“The Support Squad are a great team who have achieved so much in the past 12 months and made such a difference across the operation and to our customers,” James shares. In fact, the Support Squad were recently announced as finalists for the UK National Contact Centre Awards 2023, another major achievement. Commending the team, “I am proud of the work they do each day to support customers,” he adds.

Outside of Assurant, James likes to spend time with his family who live in Newcastle upon Tyne. He also really enjoys holidays and traveling, with Thailand being his favorite place to travel to.

Richard Devost 

Richard is part of the Advanced Analytics team and has been with Assurant for just over two years. Richard develops machine learning models to support analysis and provide our customers with insights.

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for his commitment to bring grit & determination to get things done. Our data science team recently integrated Predictive Pricing Models (PPM), providing a single point of contact for predictive pricing deliverables for both internal business users and external clients. Richard went above and beyond in his efforts to explore all data sources, build data pipelines and develop new modeling algorithms to implement the models in production. With his work, the team delivered integrated PPM results in production on schedule with improved accuracy and automated processes.

The machine learning community is continuously generating new methods to improve results. “Turning an idea on recurring neural networks (RNN) into a product was only possible because of The Assurant Way’s commitment to ideas, people, and grit and determination to deliver uncommon results,” Richard comments. To him, solving important and challenging problems in the supportive structures and teams at Assurant makes work a joy. “I love working on a team where everyone is passionate about research and engineering state-of-the-art solutions to serve our customers’ lives and business needs,” he adds.

Outside of Assurant and during his downtime, Richard enjoys bike riding, eating spicy foods, reading, and watching good movies, particularly sci-fi ones.

Karley Shenton 

Karley is an Operations Manager for Banking in the UK and has been with Assurant for 11 years. She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment to be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions.

Karley established process improvements for her team that have increased the percentage of customers who take their handsets to a local Pocket Geek store for repair instead of another repair provider from 35% to 50%. On top of that, she provides her team with ongoing support, statistics, best practices, and regular coaching sessions to improve the handset repair rate each month. “Pocket Geek has been a great change that hugely benefits both our business and customers,” she shares. “I’m really proud that we’ve managed to achieve a higher-than-expected conversion rate!”

Outside of Assurant, Karley loves to enjoy family days out with her husband and two sons, who keep her on her feet.

Nicholas Hampton

Nicholas is a supervisor for Automotive Claims submissions and has been with Assurant for nearly 9 years. He supervises call center agents, applying his automotive knowledge and previous experience as a claims adjuster to build his team, helping them to become stronger claims adjusters and decision makers.

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment, engage the right people at the right time. Nicholas was awarded for his exemplary efforts with the conversion of the Assurant claims system from our legacy platforms onto one technology platform, garnering recognition as he stepped aside from his usual role into a new role assisting IT developers. Prioritizing the best possible solutions, he leveraged his knowledge of the business, key personnel, and Assurant clients to ensure a smooth transition and minimize any potential bugs and downtime during the conversions. In addition, Nicholas also had to learn and adapt to the language of IT to effectively communicate what his team does to the IT developers and ensure clear understanding across everyone involved. The completion of these conversions has enabled Assurant to sunset legacy systems, which resulted in significant cost savings of several hundred thousand dollars per month.

Nicholas attributes much of his work ethic and supervising style to playing team sports growing up as well as his time as a U.S. Marine. “My time in the Marines taught me the importance of cross training and ensuring that not only did I know my job, but I knew my teammates’ jobs as well,” he shares. "This makes sure that if one person is not there, then progress doesn’t stop.”

Outside of work, Nicholas enjoys playing ice hockey in a local men’s league on a weekly basis. He also enjoys hiking with his wife, with whom he is trying to visit as many national parks across the U.S. as possible.

Terran Swope 

Terran is a member of the People Organization and has been with Assurant for 4 years. As a training facilitator for Mobile and Home Solutions, he helps to train our new hires, train process updates, and maintain our Compass database.

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for his commitment to serve clients & customers with passion & purpose. Terran was recognized for his ability to adapt to the changing needs of the business and producing high-quality work. He has gone above and beyond to develop successful training programs using a variety of software applications to increase class engagement, ultimately contributing to the success of our products and services.

“Change is constant, and I love to shake things up,” Terran says, as his team is on the hunt for new and inspired ways to improve the class. “I get a sense of glee from trying to break a program in any way to test the limits, and it’s an honor to be recognized for doing what I love,” he shares.

Outside of Assurant, Terran is an easy-going person who likes to stop and smell the flowers. You can often find Terran galivanting through Oregon’s forests or getting together with friends to play Dungeons and Dragons.

Congratulations to all! We are so proud of our Q1 winners and are honored to call them part of the Assurant team. Make sure to check back each quarter as we continue recognizing some of our employees' hard work! 

It’s probably not a surprise to anyone reading this that a 2022 Gallup poll* reported stress among the world’s workers reached an all-time high with more than 40% of employees stating that they experienced a significant amount of stress or worry throughout their previous day.  

Worry and anxiety – very real challenges to our emotional wellbeing - can interfere with our overall health and our feelings of contentment and success at work and in our personal lives, and they can strike any of us at any time.  

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, shining a light on these challenges and pointing people toward helpful resources. At Assurant, we will commemorate Mental Health Awareness Week May 15-21 with a series of online events, activities, and resources to help employees better manage stress and anxiety, and achieve greater balance through tools to support their mental health and emotional wellbeing.  

This year, we are looking at anxiety – how it can affect us, what external factors can trigger this strong response, and what we can do to support our peers. We know it’s important to create and foster an environment for open dialogue about mental health to break the stigma and ensure employees feel safe and supported in their professional and personal lives. 

Though we use the month of May to remind our employees of the resources available to them, our commitment to employee wellbeing is constant. Our purpose, “helping people thrive in a connected world,” includes how we help employees thrive by supporting growth and development, and by continuing to focus on their physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing.  

With that in mind, Assurant provides an array of wellbeing programs that support our employees around the globe, both in their professional and personal lives. While specific benefits may vary by region or country, the following mental health and wellbeing benefits are available:  

• Free and confidential Global Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including mental health, financial, and legal services for employees and their families  
• Free access to Headspace, a mindfulness app for managing stress and finding balance  
• Assurant wellbeing programs/resources to help employees make positive lifestyle changes  
• Paid holidays, as well as ongoing flexible work-from-home and hybrid options  
• Other family-friendly support benefits, including paid parental leave, fertility benefits, adoption services and more, which vary by region 

Through the Assurant Foundation, our employees may also choose to donate to mental health organizations, and we will match their donation dollar-for-dollar.  

Together with our employees, we are working to normalize conversations about and seeking treatment and support for mental health and prioritizing mental wellbeing. For more information about our U.S. benefits, visit MyAssurantBenefits.com.   

* Data drawn from the annual State of the Global Workplace: 2022 Report by Gallup. 

Working as a talent acquisition professional since the 1900s (well … more like 1999) and interviewing thousands (yes, thousands) of candidates, you could say that I’ve learned a few things along the way. At the top of my list is the fact that everything always changes: how we look for work, apply for positions, and even interview.

When I joined Assurant in 2018, most of my candidates were interviewed in person — seated directly across from the interviewer, resume/portfolio in hand, ready to answer any question that came their way. Then, without warning, everything changed. We were officially in a pandemic.

Just because the world had shut down didn’t mean Assurant could — and we didn’t! With some common sense, common decency, and uncommon thinking, Assurant quickly adjusted, made some necessary changes, and experienced amazing, uncommon results.

One of the changes was how we interview candidates. For example, most of our interviews occur in a virtual environment today.

So how do you best prepare for an interview in today’s world? Or, better yet, what should you avoid during your next interview? I've outlined a few things to watch out for to help you be successful throughout your job search. 

Don’t wait until the last minute to do prep work. Often, when candidates procrastinate, they’re late to the interview or they miss it altogether if they experience a technical difficulty. 

Pro Tip: Prepare ahead of time. Download the interview platform (Zoom, Teams, etc.) ahead of time. Test the audio and video. Ask a friend to do a test run with you to troubleshoot any potential technical issues. If you have an in-person interview, map your directions ahead of time to see how long it will take to get to the meeting point, and add in extra time for traffic. Being early is always acceptable; being late is a red flag.

Don’t let your environment be a distraction. If possible, you want to avoid having any noise or movement in your background, whether it is from a television or people walking around. It completely distracts the interviewer by taking the focus off you and putting it on your surroundings.

Pro Tip: Find a quiet, distraction-free area for your video or phone interview, and log in early to test your audio and video. Many applications have options that allow you to choose a photo as your background or blur the area behind you in case you aren't able to find a place with the right backdrop. 

Don’t forget to do your homework! This includes doing research about the company before your interview and reading the job description in its entirety. Few candidates do this, so when someone does, they really stand out.

Pro Tip: Read through the company’s website ahead of time so you have an understanding of what they do. Check out their social media channels and presence on job boards. Note things that stand out to you, such as recent news or big projects. Have questions ready.

Don’t be vague. When asked about things you’ve previously done or how you handled certain situations, give specific examples. Stories stand out. Generalized, vague answers are not memorable — and you want to be remembered!

Pro Tip: Try to prepare some examples ahead of time. You can search for a list of commonly asked interview questions to help you to prepare.

Don’t be afraid to reach out. After you speak with a recruiter, send them a note thanking them for the opportunity to speak with them. This is another thing that’s seldom done anymore and another way to stand out in the crowd.

Pro Tip: Follow up on your interview. Ask questions, connect on LinkedIn, and stay at the recruiter's top of mind. In a world where recruiters see thousands of applications, presence and persistence are key.

Don't let conversations be a one-way street. You are interviewing the recruiter, hiring manager, and team just as much as they are interviewing you! This stage is a crucial time for you to determine if a company and position are right for you. 

Pro Tip: Before speaking with a recruiter, determine what is most important for you when it comes to taking a new role or joining a new company. Once you identify your non-negotiables, make sure to ask questions that clearly determine if the opportunity you're considering checks those boxes. 

I hope this information helps, and I wish you luck on your next interview! If you want to find out more about Assurant and take the next step in your career with us, explore our Careers page to learn more and apply.

On March 8 of this year, Assurant joined the world in celebrating International Women's Day. Though we make it a goal to celebrate the incredible women of Assurant all year round, we were thrilled to use this day to officially recognize the contributions made across our company.

What made the occasion even more exciting was the opportunity to also commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Women@Assurant employee resource group's launch. With 1,369 active members across the globe, the group's women and allies are unified by a simple, but important, passion to advance women in the workplace and in the community.

For International Women's Day and Women's History Month, we invited our employees to share their stories over the month of March to showcase allyship in the workplace and how they #EmbraceEquity.

We have included some of those stories below:

Yadira R.-C., VP, Managing Attorney International Business Legal

My first allies: my dear brothers lifting me up!!!

Reflecting during Women’s History Month about gender equity makes me think about the allies I’ve had in the different roles I have played until now. Having posted in the past about my upbringing, I have mentioned that when I was little my parents were sort of traditional in terms of the roles expected from a girl. However, as life went by, my parents and my brothers embraced my fierce challenges to these expectations, becoming my first allies in life. Since then, many other allies have been present in my journey. Memory lane takes me to different roles: the little sister; the altar girl back in the 80’s when only altar boys were “acceptable”; the “sport billy”; the wife; the Mom; the professional on the "mommy track" juggling work and travel commitments. Undoubtedly, in all these roles my allies have played a huge part in my life and on what I have been able to accomplish. They have advocated for me every step of the way. Most importantly, they have opened the space for me to be present at the table, to lead and contribute. And when that space has not been clearly open, they have shown their respect when I push to create a space at that table for me and for other women. Be an ally and embrace equity!#AssurantProud#internationalwomensday#womenshistorymonth

Jean Carlos R., Senior Analytics Product Manager

Happy #internationalwomensday! May you continue to #breakthebias and fight for what you believe to be true. May you all continue to lead and shape the path for #futuregenerations. I am a proud husband and #girldad who hopes for a world in which my little ones will not have to face the adversities many have had to endure in their past.
#assurantproud #internationalwomensday #futuregenerations

Melissa H., Senior Vice President

Today we embrace gender equity for International Women’s Day. This is a good time for each of us to reflect on what we have done to provide #women from all different circumstances with the unique resources and opportunities necessary to reach their goals. I was honored to share stories with #WomenAtAssurant about calling out inequities when we see them and striving to make that small change in equity that can meaningfully change someone’s career journey. #embraceequity #assurantproud

Francesca L., Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer

As I think about Women’s History Month, I can’t help but remember Sir Isaac Newton’s quote, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants” – and I am instantly transported back to childhood, where I was up on my father’s shoulders seeing the world from a whole new perspective. My father was a ‘giant’ in both my professional and personal life. He made me feel empowered and emboldened to rise to the highest heights in my life and navigate the lows.

Though my father has passed, I still think about the notion of standing on the shoulders of giants and how analogous it is for me to allyship among women today. We need not only to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our fellow women at work, but we also need to metaphorically stand on the shoulders of women who are giants in big and small ways in the workforce. Through mentoring, advocacy and encouragement, we can and should hold each other up every day.

Admittedly, it is as hard today as it’s ever been to be successful as a working woman or mom. But we need to find ways to seek out those you consider “giants” in your life and seek to stand on their shoulders – or better yet, let’s find ways we can hold each other up.
#womenempoweringwomen #womenshistorymonth #assurantproud #WomenAtAssurant

Lauren S., Customer Experience Analyst

March 8th is International Women's Day celebrating the success and achievements of women across the globe.

"Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them."

This is my niece, climbing a rock wall.. in a tutu. She doesn’t know she isn’t “supposed” to, and I will not be the one to tell her. Instead before the world has a chance to tell her all the things she should or shouldn’t be/do, I will tell her.

-You are brave and strong and capable.
-You are not bossy, you have leadership skills.
-Know your worth.
-Speak up even if your voice shakes. You are you are NOT too loud, too opinionated, or too ambitious.
-If you want a seat at the table, go get it.
-Be passionate and true to yourself in all you do. 
-Do not let fear stop you from doing anything in your life
-Live the life you want to live, not the life you think that you are expected to live

 
#iwd2023 #IWD #Assurantproud
#LifeatAssurant #womenempowerment
#internationalwomensday2023 #internationalwomensday

Christine C., Associate Learning Specialist

Each year on IWD I take a moment to reflect on the person I’ve become and the immense support from Allies that led me here:

I was the first- I was the first person (male or female) in my family to attend a college or university. My father was and continues to be a huge supporter of education and growth.

I broke the trend- For generations, woman in my family had not surpassed the age of 21 without having children. Once they had children, if they went into the workforce, it was a part-time minimum wage role. At 21, I had already graduated from two college programs and working on my BBA.

I had support- At 24 my son was born. My husband split the parental leave time with me, allowing me to follow my career journey and pursue a timely opportunity. There was no expectation that I needed to stay home, there was no conversation about how something was sure to come up in the future. The conversation was simply ‘how can he support making this happen?’.

I shined in rough times- At the age of 27 I entered a male dominated field as an HR Director and encountered more roadblocks, disappointments, and challenges from co-workers then I had ever seen before. Luckily, another ally emerged and fought to showcase my value, give me a seat at the table and advocate for the change in perspective I could provide.

I found my place- At 29 I started with Assurant. Here I met the most fierce and strong women that have become mentors and allies to my growth.

I am grateful- I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the ally ship in all it’s different forms throughout my life. Thank you!! #AssurantProud
#EmbraceEquity #InternationalWomensDay #WomensHistoryMonth #WomenAtAssurant

Catherine B., Director, Digital Content Marketing & Strategy

“Every woman’s success should be an inspiration to another. We’re strongest when we cheer each other on.” ― Serena Williams 🎾

Reflecting on the intention to #embraceequity for #internationalwomensday, Serena’s sentiment came to mind. Do we absolutely need male allyship to foster stronger equity to the workforce? 10000%. But what’s driven me to be a better, stronger woman, mother, friend and career person? It is those female colleagues and mentors who’ve authenically cheered me on. By doing so, it creates a culture of belonging and empowerment, therefore inspiring me to turn my focus on how to invite others to have a seat at our collective table. 🪑

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: female empowerment is my jam.

Furthermore, it is the honor of a lifetime to help kindle and spread the fire that burns so unapologetically bright 🔥 within my nearly five-year-old daughter. She’s going somewhere and I will be there to cheer her on throughout her journey of life.

Happy women’s history month, all. Let’s keep this energy to collectively cheer each other on.

#womenatassurant #assurantproud #femaleempowerment

Emily L., Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director

Happy Women’s History Month! It was wonderful to celebrate International Women’s Day yesterday with my amazing colleagues. We all shared how we've promoted Gender Equity & demonstrated Alllyship in our careers. My personal and professional journey has taught me the power of advocacy to help advance Women and girls – whether as a pro bono attorney, career advisor, MBA recruiting consultant, DEI practitioner, or as a working Mom.  We all have a role to play, and there's always an opportunity to continue learning.

#AssurantProud of our Women’s ERG for fostering an environment where we can have honest dialogue about what it takes to promote Gender Equity.

#DEIatAssurant#WomenatAssurant#WomenLeaders#Allyship 

We are so proud to have employees, from the front lines through leadership, who set examples for other women and allies. If you'd like to join us in celebrating these stories across social media, make sure to use #WomenAtAssurant and #AssurantProud. 

For more information about Assurant's DE&I, Employee Resource Groups, and more, visit our Diversity page.

We are excited to share that we have been certified as a Great Place to Work® in the U.S. for the second year in a row! Great Place to Work® is considered the gold standard in employer brand recognition, and we are honored to be added to the list again. 

Assurant is now Great Place to Work® certified in thirteen countries total, including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, India, Japan, Mexico, Peru, the UK, and the United States.

84% of U.S. employees surveyed say Assurant is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.* We are thrilled to see this statistic increase from last year as well! 

Our U.S. employees highlighted:

• 97% - This is a physically safe place to work.
• 95% - People here are treated fairly regardless of sexual orientation.
• 91% - People here are treated fairly regardless of their race.
• 91% - People here are treated fairly regardless of their gender.
• 90% - When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.

Once again, we couldn’t accomplish any of this without our employees! We are thankful for our Assurant team members and their continued engagement, ongoing and honest feedback, and most of all, their dedication to our customers and each other as we continue to make Assurant a great place to work, grow, and contribute.

Click here for more information about what makes Assurant a Great Place to Work®.

Click here for a list of our global awards.

At Assurant, we continually prioritize learning and development to support our employees’ career growth, help them identify new ways of doing business, and uncover new passions. This year, we asked three of our employees who used Assurant’s tuition reimbursement program to pursue advanced education opportunities to tell us about their experiences with the program. One of the employees we met with was Richard Nivar, Customer Experience Analyst at Assurant and New Father at home. As a new father, Richard told us that balancing work, home, and family can be challenging, but Assurant’s commitment to his professional acceleration put him on his “most rewarding [professional] path so far.”

“When I started with Assurant I learned about the wonderful tuition reimbursement program, which really opened the doorway for me to advance in obtaining my degree.” – Richard Nivar

See more from Richard Nivar on Assurant’s tuition reimbursement:

The next person we talked with, Kendra Borders, exemplifies professional advancement through continued education. In 2022, Kendra used Assurant’s tuition reimbursement program to complete her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Arizona. After spending several years excelling in Assurant’s finance and accounting department, Kendra decided she was ready for a new challenge and new sets of career opportunities. Today, Kendra is a Senior Financial Analyst at Assurant, helping direct budgetary decisions and ensuring we’re meeting revenue objectives quarter over quarter.

“So far, since I completed my degree, I’ve been promoted over to the finance side, working in systems and controls … I really enjoy where my degree has taken me.” – Kendra Borders

Watch Kendra Borders discuss obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree: 

Finally, we talked with Patrick Murphy, one of the national account managers in our connected living business. In his role at Assurant, Patrick works with global telecommunications companies every day, optimizing sales for their extended warranty and insurance programs. He’s directly responsible for helping our partners deliver premium customer experiences and generate revenue from our programs. Patrick decided he wanted to take his career to the next level with a master’s in business administration. This year, with help from Assurant’s tuition reimbursement program, Patrick graduated with an MBA from Louisiana State University.

“Nobody had ever taken money out of their balance sheet [before Assurant] … to help fund college education to help me get better … I can’t say enough good things about Assurant for doing that for me.” – Patrick Murphy

Hear Patrick Murphy discuss the next stage of his career: 

How Tuition Reimbursement Works at Assurant

“Once I was enrolled in school, I spoke with my supervisor, who then directed me to HR. My HR Business Partner explained in detail what I would need to submit at the end of my semester to process my reimbursement. The expectations were well received, and I was able to plan my courses based on this.” — Richard Nivar

We want everyone’s experience with our tuition program to be as seamless and straightforward as Richard’s was. That’s why we make our program guidelines and requirements simple and readily available to our teams. Here are the basics:

• Undergraduate and graduate programs are both eligible for Assurant’s tuition reimbursement program
• Any employee who has worked at Assurant for 6 months can apply for undergraduate tuition assistance
• Any employee who has worked at Assurant for 1 year can apply for graduate tuition assistance
• Once an employee’s application is approved, he or she will be given instructions for processing tuition reimbursements
• Assurant reimburses up to $5,250 per year for undergraduate courses
• Full reimbursement is available for approved graduate courses

At Assurant, by investing in our employees we become a more equitable and innovative organization. This year, we’re excited to congratulate some of our employees who have taken advantage of our tuition reimbursement benefits, including Richard, Kendra, and Patrick, for their incredible accomplishments in furthering their education.

To find out more about Assurant’s benefits, visit myassurantbenefits.com or reach out to an Assurant recruiter.

Our culture is the secret to our success, and we call it The Assurant Way. The four dimensions of The Assurant Way describe the things that make our company culture unique: Our purpose. Our values. Our commitments. And our vision.

To further recognize the contributions made by our employees, we recently introduced The Assurant Way CEO Award. This recognition takes into account all the components of The Assurant Way and also highlights commitments to community engagement. When employees embody our values to deliver on our commitments and care for our customers and communities, it helps to carry out our purpose and drive our vision.

The winners are chosen quarterly and are nominated by their fellow coworkers. Employees selected will:

• Receive a $1,500 bonus 
• Be able to make a donation grant of $1,500 from the Assurant Foundation for a charity/charities of their choice.

We are excited to share the Q4 2022 winners of The Assurant Way CEO Award

Lauren White 

Lauren is the Lead Business Processing Specialist in Global Automotive and has been with Assurant for almost three years. As the team lead for Global Automotive’s business processing department, she assists the team with training and organization to process contracts monthly and help keep workflow smooth. 

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment, spend time on what adds the most value. Lauren reworked the entire contract transfer process to allow for some procedures—previously only able to be supported by in-office personnel—to be handled by virtual employees. She designed the workflow, documented procedures, tested for accuracy/viability, and trained members of the team while serving as a resource to ensure continuity. 

“I am very honored that adding value was the reason for being nominated,” Lauren shares. “I want to thank Brittany Klein, Eric Raines, and Berch Sylvester for the honor of being part of such a great group.” With her team always in mind, Lauren does her best every day to think from their perspective of processing and ways to improve and simplify the process. 

Outside of Assurant, Lauren enjoys spending time with her husband and their two dogs. To relax, she likes to watch movies and shows or play board games and video games. Lauren would also love to do more traveling and see new places in the coming year. 

Zenia Castro 

Zenia is a Technical Product Owner for Global Technology in Financial Services supporting U.S. Card Benefit clients. Having been with Assurant for 20 years, she currently helps bridge the gap between the product and the technical development of it to get it to the user or end customer. 

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment, serve clients & customers with passion & purpose. When a major financial institution partner was migrating from their current credit card benefits provider to Assurant, Zenia knew that our digital capacities were a key aspect of why this partner chose us over their existing partner of over 30 years. While there were significant challenges, Zenia was able to confirm the right resources, ensure that the implementation timeline was not impacted, gained the confidence of the partner, help launch the website functionalities, and positively influence the customer experience. 

“I truly love my job, and I’m so glad that it translates into passion and purpose,” Zenia comments. The commitment she demonstrated is at the heart of what she believes, and she tries to convey it through everything that she does. “I believe that we can always do right by the people that we serve if we do it from a place of joy and with pure and good intentions. I believe in honesty and speaking from the heart,” she says. By focusing on the positive side, Zenia aims to provide solutions to what can be done, instead of what can’t be done. 

Outside of Assurant, Zenia is passionate about volunteering and helping charitable organizations such as Autism Speaks and Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys sports and being outside with her family (including her three kids) and their dogs. Believing that “being of service to yourself is equally as important as being of service to others,” she also spends her time doing yoga, reading, dancing, and working out. 

Stephanie Salinas 

Stephanie is an Actuarial Information Management Associate in Global Finance and has been with Assurant for a little over three years. She handles premium reporting for domestic states and state filings. As the finance point of contact, she also performs several other essential tasks such as explaining expense figures to the Finance team, creating the annual budget for Assurant’s cost centers and presenting it to business units (BUs), submitting planning figures through the IBM Enterprise Planning tool and balancing accounts after posting month-end journal entries. 

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment, bring grit & determination to get things done, by producing a savings of $735k to the company related to assessment expenses from Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA). After reviewing Assurant’s products, it was determined that $34.3M in premium was written on lines of business that were potentially out of scope. Stephanie persevered, with remarkable patience, in working through LIGA for more than seven months before finally getting these exemptions granted, saving Assurant $735k. 

“My request was something that the State of Louisiana hadn’t been aware of, but it was still the right and legal thing to do,” says Stephanie. Once the DOI got involved, it was confirmed that her exemption request was valid and, therefore, granted. Stephanie attributes this accomplishment to great teamwork as it required open communication and assistance from the out-of-scope product owners and the Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs team. She commends her department for always encouraging her to explore her ideas on improving certain processes. 

Outside of Assurant, Stephanie loves working out, volunteering and exploring the outdoors. “I definitely notice an improvement in my mental health when I do these three things continuously, which allows me to work to the best of my abilities,” Stephanie adds. 

Emily Deconcini 

Emily is a Technical Product Owner for Global Technology. She has been with Assurant for close to eight years and supports the business by understanding and prioritizing work for the POMCAS group to complete. Along with her team, she supports the IT needs for the People Organization, Marketing, Communications, Global Sourcing and Facilities. 

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for exemplifying not only the commitment, be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions, but also the Assurant value of uncommon thinking. Emily created a tool in SharePoint, including design, layout and branding, to provide employees with a simple way to determine if their doctors participate in our new health plan’s network. The tool soon replaced a vendor solution that was complicated to use and confusing to navigate. Emily managed to deliver the new tool in record time, enabling Assurant employees to use the tool during Open Enrollment. 

Outside of Assurant, Emily loves spending time with her family. She has a husband and two young children, and they enjoy watching football. Every Sunday around this time of year, Emily and her siblings’ families all gather at their parents' house for brunch and football all day. 

Evin Hunter 

Evin is an Associate Customer Contact & Operations Specialist in Global Automotive. He has been with Assurant for a little over a year and is now in the Payments Department of our Automotive side. Evin assists repair facilities as well as the selling dealers on getting their claims paid for the repairs completed. 

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for his extraordinary commitment to community engagement. He supported the groundbreaking work of the B.R.I.D.G.E. People organization in the greater Pittsburg area, directly helping to reduce multigenerational poverty. Evin is also involved in several refugee programs offered by B.R.I.D.G.E. People, teaching valuable life skills, English, American customs, and U.S. citizenship classes. 70% of the families who have completed the program that Evin oversees have achieved full financial independence. 

“Being able to empower others and share my story is what makes me proud every day. We all have something to give, and mine is change,” Evin shares. Reflecting on his accomplishments, he notes that “speaking for others and helping them achieve what they would call impossible is just half the battle. It’s about maintaining and evolving as you do those things.” While there exists a number of resources, outreach help, roll models and positive environments out there, it’s often difficult for people to know where to go and who to reach out to. “My job, I believe, is to connect those bridges,” says Evin. 

Outside of Assurant, Evin loves music and live performances and even has a 70-piece vinyl collection. The second oldest of eight children, Evin enjoys his siblings’ presence and cherishes laughing and doing silly things with them. He also enjoys meeting new people through B.R.I.D.G.E. and learning about their stories, always willing to be an anchor to those making the choice to change. 

Amanda Becerra

Amanda is the Lead Counsel in Business Legal, and she has been with Assurant for over 9 years. As part of the IP & Procurement Legal Team, she supports the business with legal advice, agreement drafting, and negotiation when there is a need to engage a third-party supplier. She primarily supports Global Auto and Financial Services with their supplier relationships.

She received The Assurant Way CEO Award for her commitment to serve clients & customers with passion & purpose. In several situations, the Auto business worked on initiatives primarily designed to offer products to Assurant customers, which included the purchase of goods. Amanda went above and beyond by taking the time to educate the business lawyers about the vendor-specific terms typically included in these types of agreements and worked with the business legal team to develop a template to address these relationships. These efforts were essential to Assurant’s Vehicle Care product suite.

Amanda’s actions helped drive efficiencies and free up more time for others to spend on what adds the most value. “It is a privilege to work with such talented teams and help to bring innovation to our clients,” she says. Driven by her passion for her clients, she adds that “At the end of the day, I am happy to help where needed to ensure that our internal and external clients are successful.”

Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband and three daughters. She volunteers with her daughters’ school’s Parent Teacher Organization and as an assistant troop leader for her daughter’s Brownie troop. After her middle child was diagnosed with several food allergies, Amanda also started baking birthday cakes for her daughter and has since developed a fun hobby of experimenting with baking and decorating cakes.

Ruthvik Thulasiram

Ruthvik is a Senior Data Scientist with Global Data Analytics and has been with Assurant for over five years. He solves business problems and enhances business operations by developing machine learning solutions. Ruthvik has mainly supported claims operations by delivering multiple Dynamic Claim Management (DCM) solutions to automate claims adjudication for cost savings and reduction in turnaround time, resulting in better customer experience.

He received The Assurant Way CEO Award for demonstrating the commitment, be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions. Ruthvik helped guide data-driven insightful solutions by leading a team to integrate a Machine Learning (ML) driven DCM solution into Brazil’s Claim Operations Process. This solution resulted in business rule reduction from 16K+ to 300 with half a million of cost avoidance and raised auto-adjudication rate 60% for the Brazil Connected Living Claim team.

Ruthvik embodies The Assurant Way, showcasing his commitment by consistently delivering data science solutions. He has also solved multiple challenging business problems by utilizing Machine Learning and channeling the Assurant value of uncommon thinking to bring about uncommon results. Regarding his accomplishment, Ruthvik commends his team for their open thinking. “The credit should go to the entire team, especially the business, for being so responsive and eager to collaborate and implement the ML solution,” says Ruthvik. 

Outside of Assurant, Ruthvik enjoys traveling and going on road trips. He also likes to build Legos in his free time.

Congratulations to all! We are so proud of our Q4 winners and are honored to call them part of the Assurant team. Make sure to check back each quarter as we continue recognizing some of our employees' hard work! 

We are excited to join 484 other companies as a member of the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which gauges the performance of public companies dedicated to reporting gender-related data. This reference index measures gender equality across five pillars: leadership & talent pipeline, equal pay & gender pay parity, inclusive culture, anti-sexual harassment policies, and external brand.

Companies are assigned a Bloomberg GEI Score based on the data disclosed for the metrics defined in the GEI framework. The GEI Score measures both the level of disclosure of gender-related data, as well as distinguished performance via a data excellence component score.

This is the third year Assurant has been included, and, each year, our score has increased! 

“The ability to track and measure our progress is the first step in fostering an inclusive environment that enables our employees to thrive,” said Keith Demmings, president and CEO. “Being part of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index demonstrates our commitment to transparency and improvement to ensure Assurant is a place where every gender can reach its full potential and where we benefit from each employee bringing their whole self to their roles.”

Assurant’s practices and programs, such as diverse slates and targeted mentorship and development, are driving a more diverse candidate pool and hires, along with greater mobility. In 2022, Assurant launched an Employee Resource Group, Women@Assurant, which aims to support women with their personal and professional growth by providing mentorship, leadership development and sponsorship to drive empowerment and engagement. At the end of 2021, 54% of Assurant’s global workforce identified as women and held 42% of managerial positions.

Learn more about DEI at Assurant and stay updated about our current and new initiatives here. 

There are many ways for adults to continue their education while working full-time. Today, continuing your education with different courses and programs offered online and offline is easier than ever. Many companies offer elective courses that one can sign up for using their internal Learning Management System. Some companies even partner with organizations like LinkedIn to offer skill and knowledge-specific courses. Colleges across the country are offering more flexible options by providing programs that focus on working adults.

Continuing education is important for everyone, whether it’s for personal or professional development. In today’s rapidly changing environment, we must stay up to date on the latest technologies and processes. One may choose to continue their education to sharpen their knowledge in their current role or look ahead to their future career endeavors.

As a Talent Acquisition Consultant, I am often discussing education with candidates. Top candidates can speak of ways in which they’ve supported their career growth through continued education. Candidates are looking for organizations that support their personal and professional development, and they often weigh this benefit when making decisions on multiple offers they receive.

Candidates are prioritizing Continued Education to:

Strengthen their skills and knowledge in their current role
Employees can apply the skills learned to their current roles by attending elective courses or pursuing degrees.

Prepare for promotion
Employees can set themselves apart by focusing on courses that help them prepare for the next steps of their careers. Many will find that it’s easier to transition into a new role when equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.

Increase salary
Companies often recognize the value of certificates and degrees. Once obtained, employees may be able to work with their internal partners on a salary increase to recognize their educational efforts.

Change careers
Employees can have more control to pivot their careers with education choices. Companies often look at internal candidates with priority. If an employee wants to work in different areas of an organization, they can focus their education on courses and programs that equip them with skills needed for those roles.

Develop themselves personally
While professional development is important in continued education, personal development is just as important. Education helps us learn a lot about ourselves. In many cases, we also get the opportunity to meet like-minded professionals and develop our interpersonal skills.

With so many options for continued education, it’s essential to focus on personal and professional development. Continuing education allows employees to have more control of their career trajectory, either as an internal employee or as a candidate for a new organization.

Assurant offers a variety of learning and development opportunities for employees interested in advancing their career. Find out more here.

Last week, Assurant announced our goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 40 percent by 2030. The target, which aligns with the Paris Agreement and the Science-based Targets initiative (SBTi), was set as part of the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) guiding principle to ensure its facilities around the world adhere to sustainability practices.

“Our new climate goal furthers Assurant’s commitment to integrate climate impact into our business operations,” said Keith Demmings, our president and CEO. “With global operations across 21 countries, serving the mobile, auto and home markets, we seek to create a positive impact for all our stakeholders by setting ambitious goals to reduce our impact on the environment. Our ongoing real estate consolidation strategy will help support this objective, as well as the implementation of energy-saving measures at our facilities and, eventually, renewable energy generation.”

Visit Assurant.com to read the rest of this article and to find out more about our recent initiative to support our dedication to protecting, connecting, and inspiring the communities where we live and work.

Canada, India, and the UK are the newest Assurant locations to be certified as a Great Place to Work®! 

Great Place to Work® is considered the gold standard in employer brand recognition, and we are thrilled to add these three new countries to the additional ten Assurant country certifications, including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Peru, and the United States.

The UK is the first country to be accredited in Europe with 77% of those surveyed identifying Assurant as a great place to work. 97% of employees surveyed said the same in India, while 86% in Canada shared the sentiment.

“Our culture, guided by our values and aligned to our purpose, drives employee engagement and supports talent retention as Assurant empowers career satisfaction and growth within the organization,” said Paul Cosgrove, President & CEO, Assurant Canada. “Being Great Place to Work-Certified™ recognizes the work we do every day to demonstrate that our employees are valued, and Assurant is a place where people can thrive and develop their careers.” 

None of this would be possible without our employees! We are thankful for our Assurant employees and their continued engagement, ongoing and honest feedback, and most of all, their dedication to our customers and each other.

Click here for a list of our global awards.

Our culture is the secret to our success, and we call it The Assurant Way. The four dimensions of The Assurant Way describe the things that make our company culture unique: Our purpose. Our values. Our commitments. And our vision.

To further recognize the contributions made by our employees, we recently introduced The Assurant Way CEO Award. This recognition takes into account all the components of The Assurant Way and also highlights commitments to community engagement. When employees embody our values to deliver on our commitments and care for our customers and communities, it helps to carry out our purpose and drive our vision.

The winners are chosen quarterly and are nominated by their fellow coworkers. Employees selected will:

• Receive a $1,500 bonus 
• Be able to make a donation grant of $1,500 from the Assurant Foundation for a charity/charities of their choice.

We are excited to share the Q3 2022 winners of The Assurant Way CEO Award

Chris Anderson 

“I embrace The Assurant Way mindset to deliver to our partners what we promised and to continue to grow my market,” says Chris. Sharing a takeaway from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, regarding the importance of first seeking to understand, then to be understood, Chris believes in “truly listening to our partners and potential partners. This allows us to bring value and solutions that help them reach their goals.” Starting in 2022, the dealership partnered with Assurant and current results are far above the dealership’s expectations and performance is continuing to increase. 

Chris’ manager, Jeffrey Strickland shares, “Chris’ professionalism and hard work to deliver for both his clients and the organization, is a great example for our entire team of truly embracing our Commitments within The Assurant Way. 

Chris has over 33 years of automotive experience as well as being a NADA Dealer Academy Graduate. Outside of Assurant, Chris enjoys golf and college basketball, as well as spending time with his wife to whom he has been married for 35 years, their three children, and five grandchildren. A proud Blue Star Family, Chris’ oldest son served three tours in Iraq during his time in the military.  

Lisa Fisher 

Lisa is an Operations Technology Manager in Global Housing Operations. She has been with Assurant for a little over 12 years and leads a group of Business Analysts. She received a The Assurant Way CEO Award for advancing The Assurant Way Commitment, serve clients & customers with passion & purpose, by onboarding a new client which required implementing a new custom SmartFlow Linked Loans process with a very aggressive timeline. Lisa met the client’s ask and invested the time required to map out and provide detailed instructions for the team to execute this project. She engaged the right people, Operations and the SmartFlow development team, with the knowledge to fast track the work ahead of them.  

“I am only one of many who worked on this project,” Lisa shared, crediting the grit and determination of the team who provided outstanding results. “I feel blessed to work with others who understand and live The Assurant Way,” Lisa says. “It is a powerful guide that, if followed, brings great results to all that we do at Assurant.”  

Lisa encourages new ideas, teamwork, and to constantly keep learning to better serve our clients. She is never too busy to share or assist anyone, and truly represents The Assurant Way every day.  

Outside of Assurant, Lisa enjoys cooking and baking and loves to experiment with new recipes. She loves her cats, as they are great stress relievers, and spending time with her family and friends whom she calls her the biggest blessings in her life. 

James Downs

​​​​​​​
James is a Senior Software Engineer in Global Technology and has been with Assurant for nearly three years. He works on the Assurant Labs teams as part of Global Lifestyle and International Technology, as well as on software integrations for the Personal TechPro features for Assurant applications and external customers. James was a recipient of The Assurant Way CEO Award for exemplifying The Assurant Way Commitment, engage the right people at the right time, through his support of the Japanese Team (Trygle) and assistance in delivering add-on functionality for their mobile app (Torisetsu). 

“Delivering this feature to our team in Japan has been a large step toward entering further into the region in general,” James says. He spent many days engaging numerous teams at the right time to troubleshoot and fix issues with urgency. He developed a game plan while exhibiting inspiring creativity and knowledge when it came to reading code and suggesting edits that would fix the issues. James had been involved with this feature since the start of its current iteration back in late 2019. “Getting it right was important for me and the team from the start, as it’s our first launch of this feature outside of Assurant Labs-developed applications,” he shared.  

James has continuously worked with the multiple teams responsible for bringing the feature to an end-user and feels a strong sense of responsibility for it. He is an exceptional problem solver, communicator, team player, and displays strong commitment to serving clients and customers. Assurant's mission of helping people thrive in a connected world wouldn't be possible without talented engineers like James. Outside of Assurant, James and his partner enjoy traveling as well as playing board games and Dungeons and Dragons with their friends. 

Bernardo Pérez Rodríguez 

Bernardo is a Senior Implementation Analyst in Global Lifestyle and has been with Assurant for almost four years. He performs analytics, the translation of systems, configuration and testing of new businesses, as well as the maintenance of existing ones. In addition, he’s involved in automating manual and certain critical processes for Assurant Mexico. 

Nominated for exemplifying the Commitment, be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions, by supporting his co-workers and bringing forth innovative solutions. Bernardo has been successful at improving tools for the Assurant Mexico team. He has made more than 20 automations via the RPA (Robotic Process Automation) robot which have allowed for reduced workload, more efficiencies and above all, increased speed of responses to Assurant customers. His actions and great results show how he diligently serves his internal and external clients with passion. 

Bernardo’s approach is to “Start with the User Experience, and work backwards with the technology, not the other way around.” He also emphasizes that teamwork is a fundamental pillar. “Being able to help my colleagues is a great experience and gives me personal satisfaction,” shared Bernardo, “along with the knowledge I acquire everyday thanks to them.” 

Keenly observant in how technology works, Bernardo likes to compare expectations against reality. “I behave like a user who expects to be helped when something does not work as expected,” he says. Outside of Assurant, Bernardo enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and pets, which include five rabbits and a cat. 

Brittany Steele 

Brittany is an Associate Regional Account Manager in Multifamily Housing. She’s been with Assurant for over three years. Brittany is responsible for conducting training for new and existing clients and, as the point of contact, answering questions from site teams about our products and how to use them.  

Nominated for embodying The Assurant Way Commitment, be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions, Brittany has gone above and beyond to service clients and colleagues. She has molded her department by implementing procedures, training manuals, conducting training sessions, and undertaking the implementation of CRM.  

Managers seek Brittany's input on many projects and situations, which is an illuminating sign that she is crucial to not just the department but to managers as well. “I am just so honored that the work I have done made at least one person’s day a little better,” says Brittany, and she credits her team, sharing that it was their positive feedback that made her willing to go above and beyond to provide resources and make the process as smooth as possible for everyone. Brittany is a role model and great example of someone who knows Assurant and exemplifies The Assurant Way. 

Outside of Assurant, Brittany is an avid crafter, doing a little bit of everything from sewing to crocheting.  

Steven Stokes 

Steven is a Senior Manager of Production Operations in Connected Living at the Lewisville Device Care Center. Having been with Assurant for seven years, he has had several roles from Planning to Materials to Operations which he really enjoys doing now.  

Steven was recognized for The Assurant Way Commitment, be curious to inspire new ideas & solutions, through the design of a new bubble bag that allows for easier scanning of cell phone devices being processed at the Lewisville, Texas Depot. This innovation has eliminated bag to phone mismatches since labels are no longer required to be placed on the bags, devices are protected from getting damaged, and the overall count time was cut in half.  

“The challenge has been around for as long as I can remember and with our current automation, there were just not any good solutions out there,” reflected Steven. “Having relationships with our packaging partners from my previous role encouraged me to reach out to work with them and our materials team on the idea.” Steven shared that this solution wasn’t an option in the past, but with new technologies and trial and error, he and the team were able to bring this idea to life from not only one but two suppliers.  

This bag has drastically improved the scanning process and as a result, the company is seeing savings. “The benefit of saving the company a substantial amount of money quarterly was the original goal, but the unexpected benefits of the bag have far exceeded all expectations.” 

Outside of Assurant, Steven cherishes every second that he gets to spend with his wife, kids, and family. He also enjoys spending time outdoors and fishing. 

Daniel Quiroz 

Daniel joined Assurant in 2021 as a Business Technology & Reporting Analyst in Global Lifestyle. He provides strategic technology support to the Contact Center related to applications, reporting, and improvement of operational processes. He also manages operational data to measure contractual and business-related key performance indicators. 

Daniel was nominated for living The Assurant Way Commitment, spend time on what adds the most value. He developed a unique, automated database for a client notification claims status system that performs the necessary downloads and filters to expedite the files for management review. As of its implementation in June 2022, results show a 50% reduction in download time and data filter, centralization of information for use by the Operations area and Call Center, and an increase in the productivity of average daily calls. In addition to improving execution time and resulting inputs, this database will also be used to manage communications for our customers. 

Daniel further exhibits The Assurant Way Commitment through his continued work on optimization and improvement projects. One such project was the creation of templates for sending messages through WhatsApp that follow the extended status of a claim in order to ensure constant communication with the customer and to improve their experience. Follow-ups can now be given without losing sight of what phase of the process each claim is in, since the databases include working groups focused on each part of the process. 

Outside of Assurant, Daniel enjoys activities that exercise mental abilities, as well as going to the movies, watching TV, and bike riding. 

We are so proud of our Q3 winners and are honored to call them part of the Assurant team. Make sure to check back each quarter as we continue recognizing some of our employees' hard work! 

It was an honor to travel to Atlanta last week to witness the outcome of the Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) and Assurant partnership. Together, we proudly presented Retired U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Sean Adams of Gainesville, Ga. with a specially modified 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck as part of the WWFS Mobility is Freedom program.

As a veteran, this ongoing partnership is incredibly impactful. Assurant has partnered with WWFS since 2018, and this is the second mobility-modified vehicle presented to a veteran since the collaboration began.

I am proud to be part of a company that recognizes the challenges veterans face and through my work as Executive Sponsor of the Veterans@Assurant Employee Resource Group, I am honored to be able to support veterans like Sean as part of my work at Assurant. It reminds me of the importance of supporting the communities where we live and work.

Sean’s story is one that will stay with me for a while. He enlisted in the Marines after graduating from high school because of the impact the September 11th attacks had on him. On the morning of February 10, 2012, Sean was in Helmand Province, Afghanistan on a reconnaissance patrol when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device. The blast took both of Sean’s legs above the knee and injured both hands and his right arm. He also lost partial vision in his left eye. Sean considers the Navy Hospital Corpsmen and Marines who helped him in the field that day true heroes.

The new truck will help Sean work on his 67-acre hay farm. Mobility modifications include the installation of a special wheelchair lift, a digital accelerator ring, and a custom brake handle.

Please join me, along with Assurant colleagues, in wishing Sean support and success in his future.

LaShonda O.

“Proud to work for a company that makes a difference in the community. Assurant partnered with Wounded Warriors Family Support (WWFS) to present combat-wounded veteran, Sean Adams with a mobility-modified 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck.”

Stephanie H.

“Honored and proud to have been a part of this dedication. Sean had some very important words and messages that he didn’t want us to forget… we need to continue to support our wounded veterans and the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Mental health needs to be a priority for wounded veterans, and support services like Wounded Warriors Family Support should continue to be a focus for us all to honor those who so bravely and selflessly served and sacrificed for our freedom.

It was a pleasure getting to know you, Sean!”

Jill H.

“Honored to be present during the ceremony handing over the keys. Ret. Col. Sean - it was a pleasure to meet you, hear your words, and experience your humor.”

Mark A.

“Amazing commitment to assist our veterans and show appreciation for their sacrifices and efforts. Thank you to ERG leadership and all those involved in making it happen.”

As a People Partner at Assurant, I believe in the value of investing in our workforce and fostering talent. Assurant’s commitment toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is an additional driving force within our organization’s culture because its impact makes Assurant a stronger, more innovative place to work.

As Assurant continues to make strides toward our goal of building a more diverse workforce, creating a more equitable and inclusive culture not only for our employees, we’re also driving change within the communities where we live and serve across the globe.

In our journey toward fostering this inclusive and equitable culture, we’ve expanded our DEI footprint in 2022 through the introduction of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). In March, we collectively celebrated the introduction of the Women@Assurant ERG, which mobilized over 900 memberships of women and allies alike at the time of launch.

But, the work has just begun and I’m proud to share some of the recent momentum we’ve seen in identifying and nurturing different perspectives across the workforce at Assurant. When we harness the collective strength of our unique differences to work together, we unlock creative potential, making our community stronger.

It’s with this focus and vision that I’m proud to share announce of the Veterans@Assurant (V@A) ERG, which officially launched on July 4th of this year...

Read the rest of this article and hear from some of our members on Assurant.com. 

1 in 8 across the globe live with a mental health condition. 

And Assurant is working to break the stigma.  

Our purpose, helping people thrive in a connected world, also applies to how we help employees thrive by supporting growth and development and by continuing to focus on their health and physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing. We continue to prioritize mental health based on employee feedback and the broad effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on issues of isolation, burnout, depression, stress, and anxiety. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated a “rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% in the first year of the pandemic,” all while identifying a widening gap in mental health services and available resources. 

This inspired our theme this year: “Connections.” Connecting with supportive people heightens our sense of belonging and wellbeing, while feeling disconnected can create a sense of loneliness and isolation which can take toll on both emotional and physical wellbeing. Connecting with others or spending focused solo time to connect with yourself also can help build resiliency to face challenges and grow.  

Though today marks World Mental Health Day, we’re committed to providing our employees with information and resources to support wellbeing all year long. It is important to create and foster an environment for open dialogue about the issue of mental health to break the stigma and ensure employees feel safe and supported in their professional and personal lives.  

Beyond this support, our U.S. employees have access to an array of mental health and wellbeing benefits, including: 

• Health insurance coverage that begins on day 1 of employment 
• Headspace App, a resource for managing stress and finding balance 
• Free and confidential Global Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including mental health, financial, and legal services for employees and their families 
• Family-friendly support benefits, including: 
  • Paid parental leave 
  • Fertility benefits 
  • Adoption, surrogacy, and fertility services 
  • Back-up childcare, dependent adult care, and virtual tutoring services 
• 13 paid holidays, including flexible days to focus on personal cultural celebrations, wellbeing, and family time 
• Assurant Wellbeing program, to help employees make positive lifestyle changes 
• Ongoing flexible work-from-home and hybrid options available 

2:1 Match: Donations to Charitable Organizations on World Mental Health Day

Assurant is also offering a 2:1 match for donations to mental health agencies today through the Assurant Foundation. The special match will be above and beyond the regular annual match allocation of $1,000 per employee.

Together with our employees, we are working to normalize and prioritize mental wellbeing. For more information about our U.S. benefits, visit MyAssurantBenefits.com.  

Stop Looking for a Job

You may be thinking that is a very odd beginning for a Fortune 500 Company Career Site blog post, but I can assure you it will make sense after reading more.

I remember walking through the swinging door of Assurant Health in Milwaukee, WI for my Human Resources Administrative Assistant interview like it was yesterday. ‘Yesterday’ was 18 years ago. I was a stay-at-home Mom for almost 2 years when I decided to return to the workforce, so I was eager to put my best foot forward. I met so many great people during the interviews I had that day, interviews that felt like conversations with old friends. What struck me was recognizing how different I felt walking back out that swinging door. I felt energized about all I had learned and about the individuals I would potentially be working with. It was no longer ‘just a job' I had applied for. It was an opportunity I wanted. An opportunity within an evolving organization that presented growth along with a strong collaboration embracing culture.

Create Your Own Path

During my 18 years with Assurant, I have seen those growth opportunities come to light in several other positions within Human Resources and Talent Acquisition. I began my Assurant journey as a Human Resources Administrative Assistant, moving into an HR Coordinator role in 6 months. I spent 5 years in the HR Coordinator and Talent Acquisition Coordinator role before moving into the Talent Acquisition Consultant (Recruiter) position. This allowed me to learn more about the business while partnering with many business leaders throughout the company and identifying and hiring strong, diverse talent into the organization.

I then rerouted after 5 years and moved into the Talent Acquisition Analyst role for 4 years before being promoted into my current role as a Sr. Talent Acquisition Analyst. To say I have learned a lot would be an understatement. I have gained greater insight and analytic perspective of Assurant’s Talent Acquisition efforts. I have also had the privilege of working with many of our Global Assurant colleagues in the UK, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Argentina. Assurant has given me the ability to collaborate with many business areas and so many incredibly talented and success-driven individuals. To this day, several of my most cherished friendships developed from a working relationship that began at Assurant. 

Change Is Inevitable – Growth is Optional

Before starting with Assurant, I wasn’t prepared for the numerous changes ahead of me when taking on new career growth opportunities, the transition of new leadership, and system changes. Initially, this was quite challenging as I was not a champion of change.

The word ‘change’ often conveys a sense of uncertainty or can bring a negative connotation. But what I came to realize over time, was that all those changes were the pathway to the opportunities to learn and grow and push me outside my comfort zone. That is what energized me during my interviews. Every opportunity I have had with Assurant has done just that which has allowed me to embrace change today.

The People

When I am asked what I like most about working at Assurant, my immediate response is ‘the people’. I’m not alone. But what does ‘the people’ mean? To me, it means I’m surrounded by supportive, collaborative, engaged management and colleagues across the business. It means my colleagues are diverse – in every possible way, bringing new perspectives and creative, innovative ideas to Assurant’s purpose. It means I genuinely care about the individuals I work with and Assurant’s unique culture.

When you are surrounded by personable, talented leaders and dynamic, engaging colleagues who support your success while driving Assurant’s goals, it is much more than a job.

So, when I said earlier, ‘stop looking for a job,’ I meant it because, for me, the search stopped with Assurant nearly two decades ago. Instead of looking back, I’ve moved forward for my love of what I do and for Assurant investing in talent and growth. I believe my work makes a difference, and I couldn’t be luckier to work alongside colleagues just as passionate about Assurant’s mission as I am.

If this sounds like a place you would thrive and grow in, look for your next opportunity here!  

In the last three years, over 50,000 volunteer hours have been clocked by Assurant employees across the globe. This is worth celebration, especially considering how the COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the way we work and engage with our communities. It is because of employees dedicated to strengthening the communities where we live and work that Assurant was named an Honoree by the Civic 50, an initiative of Points of Light, recognizing us last year for being one of the most community-minded companies in the United States.

The spirit of community support was especially evident for the Girls on the Run of Atlanta 5k event earlier this year, with over 100 Assurant employees who assembled to motivate, support and celebrate young runners, walkers, movers and shakers both on and off the track.

Since 2018, Assurant has partnered with Girls on the Run, a national non-profit organization committed to strengthening elementary grade aged girls and their social, emotional, physical and behavioral skills to successfully navigate life experiences. The program engages girls in lessons to foster confidence and establish peer connections, while also preparing them for a 5k. The organization concludes their 12-week programs by hosting local 5k races.

“The race was fun and there were a lot of good snacks at the end!”  - London, 3^rd grade 

Our support for Girls on the Run has spanned across volunteerism, Board of Director engagement and corporate gifts from the Assurant Foundation, prioritizing our investment in the future leaders of our communities. Our gift this year ensured that all participants had access to partake in the Girls on the Run spring and fall program seasons, regardless of their families’ financial situation.  

“My favorite part of the 5K was the feeling of finishing and also being with friends and running. “ - Addie, 3^rd grade 

On race day, over 350 volunteer coaches and 1,086 community runners gathered to motivate and encourage the 1,193 young girls to complete the 5K. Among the supporters were on-site Assurant volunteers who engaged with runners and supporters at the Assurant activity tent.  

“The 2022 Girls on the Run Atlanta 5K race was a fantastic event…for the girls AND for our Assurant volunteers. So much energy and excitement from all the teams,” said Assurant volunteer, Kathy Marker who was excited to participate in an on-site community event for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the globe.

The Assurant tent was assembled as a place for family or friends of a participant to create personalized 3-inch buttons and posters to celebrate and cheer on the participants. “The Assurant team had a great time cheering them on and helping them with button and banner making,” Kathy added. 

“I liked running with my friends and seeing lots of new people.”  - Sienna, 3^rd grade 

Even before race day, The Assurant Georgia Engagement Champion Team (ECT) was busy commissioning a surprise for participants. To encourage and motivate the participants for the Girls on the Run 5K, 111 Assurant employees leveraged their creativity and dedicated their time to creating and mailing in over 1,300 motivational cards that were added to participant race day bags.  

“We are so grateful for Assurant’s support of the spring 5K as well as for our ongoing partnership,” said Girls on the Run of Atlanta Executive Director, Lea Rolfes. “From providing thoughtful, personalized cards offering words of encouragement to our girls before the big event to having the fantastic team of Assurant volunteers on-site at the 5K celebration to help girls make buttons, there’s no doubt our GOTR girls felt tremendous support from Assurant. Thank you for making such an impact in the lives of girls!”  

Supporting our communities has always been core to Assurant’s culture, and we understand that we can drive a stronger business impact when we strengthen communities where we operate through community engagement to support the greater good.

While the pandemic may have changed how we engage with our communities in the short-term, we’ve never stopped our momentum toward community giving and volunteerism. Just last year, Assurant employees reported 15,396 volunteer hours, while the Assurant Foundation donated close to $5 million in grants and matching gifts to non-profit organizations globally. Furthermore, as part of our Total Rewards and Benefits, Assurant employees are allotted eight fully paid hours every year to use toward volunteering for causes they feel strongly about.

To learn more about our continued impact, check out this year’s Sustainability Report or explore open roles with Assurant. You can also join our Talent Community to stay updated on Assurant news. 

As a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant at Assurant and with 18 years of combined recruiting and staffing experience, I’ve always been passionate about making an impact on candidates’ lives. It is my mission to help candidates find their dream jobs and become much more fulfilled in their professional and personal lives. I’ve outlined some tips to not only ensure you as a candidate are matched with the right employer, but also equip yourself to showcase your skills and experience to land your dream job.

Choose Company Culture & Values That You Align With

Remember that when you’re interviewing for a role within a company, you’re also interviewing them to see if they’re the right fit for your career goals and lifestyle. Make sure a company’s values align with yours and try to get a sense of the culture within the organization. This will help ensure that it’s the kind of environment where you can flourish.

But how do you learn about a company’s culture or values without directly speaking to a current employee? Here are a few resources you can use to gather information about a company:

• Company Website
  • Companies often display their core values or mission statements on their company website. Explore any annual reports they may publish related to topics on corporate social responsibility, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and sustainability. This will give you a wider lens into the company’s key focuses and priorities
• Social Media pages
  • How does this company position itself online? Do employees engage with the posts? You can learn about a company and its culture with the content they share on their feed.
• CEO or Executive Leadership Statements
  • Culture begins from the top-down. Look to see if leaders of the company make external statements in response to matters that mean the most to you. This shows integrity and transparency within the organization.

What Kind of Benefits Do They Offer?

Benefits are a great way to see how companies invest in their employees. A dynamic benefits package can show that an employer places a heavy value on their employees’ happiness, growth and well-being. Everyone’s needs are different, so strong employers will offer benefits that aren’t intended as a one-size-fits-all solution.

If you’re in strong consideration for the opportunity and you’re curious about the company’s benefits package, you can ask the Recruiter or HR Representative for more details.

Consider Job Security & Growth Opportunities

Ask questions during the interview process so that you can get a clearer picture of how the company is performing, financially. It is also a good idea to ask what advancement opportunities might be available in the future if you were to exceed expectations in the role.

When you interview the company, it allows the recruiter to articulate what makes this company unique. And when you inquire about career growth, it tells the recruiter you’re not only confident and ambitious, but you’re looking for a long-term commitment in your next role.

Consider questions like:

• “What do you like most about working for XYZ Company?”
• “What excites you most about where the company is headed?”
• “What does a typical career path look like for someone stepping into this role?”
• “What role(s) does a high-performing associate typically grow into after starting out in this position?”

How to Stand Out from Other Candidates

• Social Media Presence
  • Your social media accounts should professionally reflect you. Recruiters generally search for public information they can gather on potential candidates, including reviewing social media accounts to uncover any red flags in their candidacy.
• Revisit your Resume
  • Don’t forget to include any certifications or completed training on your resume that relates to the jobs you are applying for or shows your interests. It is also a good idea to add those details to your LinkedIn profile.
  • Also consider including specific keywords in your resume. When recruiters search for candidates, they screen for specific keywords related to the job, such as specific job titles or ideal skillsets for the position. Before applying to the role, review the job description and determine applicable skills to include in your resume and LinkedIn profile to show your qualifications and stand out to the recruiter.
• Do your research on the role and the company
  • As a recruiter, I ask candidates, “Are you familiar with our company and what we do?” to get an idea of how engaged they are in pursuing the opportunity. I don’t expect the candidate to be an expert on our company, but it is encouraging to hear when a candidate has a basic understanding of Assurant.

If you want to find out more about Assurant and take the next step in your career, explore our Careers page to learn more and apply.

The relationship you have with your employer is one of the most important in your life. You spend a lot of time looking for your ideal job, searching for a company with the right combination of must-have characteristics. Are they solid and trustworthy? Interesting and fun? Do they care about their people? You do your research and stalk them on social. Then you finally take the leap and make a connection. And when it’s a match, you’re thrilled. You start your new relationship with high expectations and every hope that you and your new employer will build a rosy future together.

But time alone well tell whether it’s truly a match made in heaven, or just a short-term thing. So how do you know when you’ve found the right fit?

Start with the basics.

Start by looking at company culture. Some companies are hierarchical, bureaucratic and process-oriented. Others are more entrepreneurial and willing to take risks. Some companies view employees as replaceable commodities. Others see talented people as the single most important factor to the company’s long-term success.

Assurant’s unique culture is a big reason why so many talented people choose to work here, and why they tend to stay. Although we have a wide variety of skills and experience, and come from many different countries and cultural backgrounds, we share some characteristics that are uniquely Assurant. Like a passion for service. An ability to innovate in practical ways. And a willingness to take chances. We believe that staying on top doesn’t mean sacrificing our values. We believe clarity of vision and a sense of purpose will carry us forward. And we take charge of our own success.

Create a purposeful connection.

Top talent is often attracted to a purpose-driven company. Look for a company that has a strong sense of the role they serve in society and why they exist in the world. For every moment you spend working, you should feel that you’re doing something fundamentally important. At Assurant, we help our clients and their customers thrive in a connected world, with products, support and services that make our complicated lives a little easier. That spirit of service spills over to the communities where we live and work, with opportunities to give back. And we’re committed to providing support for each other, because we know that every Assurant success story lifts all of us even higher.

Make sure your values are aligned.

A good cultural fit starts with your fundamental values. Don’t be satisfied with a list of corporate values on a website. Look for a company that clearly puts those values in practice. At Assurant, our values are the most enduring piece of our culture. They bring to life expectations we set for ourselves. Common sense, to simplify the complex. Common decency to embrace inclusion and behave ethically. And the kind of uncommon thinking that drives innovation and delivers uncommon results.

Take charge of your own happiness.

If you want your relationship with your employer to stand the test of time, then you’ll need to grow together. You’ll need to understand your own career goals, and you’ll need your employer to provide the tools to help you get there. We know what it takes to be successful at Assurant, and we’re committed to making sure our people know as well. That’s the secret to some of our greatest employee success stories. Did you know our CEO started out as an intern at Assurant? That’s just one example of how it pays off to understand what’s important both to you and your employer and work together to build something beautiful.

Share a common vision.

There’s nothing more unifying than working toward a common goal. And achieving and sharing milestones along the way is a time-tested bonding experience. Look for an employer with a bold, audacious vision. Something that excites you when you get up in the morning. Make sure you know how you fit into this vision, and what you can do to contribute to it. And stay ready to adapt to change. At Assurant, we’re not the same company we were five years ago. And we continuously reinvent ourselves in order to ensure that our clients, consumers and employees are well prepared for whatever the future holds.

Is Assurant a match for you?

If you’re looking for a company that’s grounded in values, inspired by purpose, propelled toward success and united by a vision of the connected future, then we would be a great fit for you. Learn more about how we define our culture called "The Assurant Way" here. 

Ready to swipe right on Assurant as your next employer?

Learn more and check out our open roles here.

For the first time at Assurant, we proudly observed World Day for Cultural Diversity, which the United Nations acknowledges and celebrates annually on May 21. It’s an international day dedicated to understanding the depth, value and strength of cultural diversity. While celebrating the richness of the world’s diversity, it also highlights the need for intercultural dialogue.

Assurant is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) across the organization. We believe we’re stronger when we bring together individuals with diverse experiences and perspectives. And it starts with listening. It begins with hearing from our employees about their life experiences – including their personal history, identity and heritage. We encourage open dialogue across our global footprint of 21 countries, 80 locations, 22 time zones and 65 languages spoken.

One example comes from our Tennessee U.S. depot center, where they recently underwent an exercise to creatively showcase the diversity of employee nationalities within their production floor. To represent the 35 different nationalities of our employees in the depot, they displayed 35 country flags along the main walkway as a tribute to the richness of our diverse workforce, backgrounds, perspectives and ideas. 

Since the launch of this project, there's an increased dialogue and conversations among employees about heritage, country histories and what their flag represents. Celebrating our unique heritages and learning from one another brings us closer to inclusion, and inclusion is the heart of our Workplace DEI goals.  

To continue celebrating the unique voices and stories everyone has to share, employees were eager to share stories of their heritage across the organization through internal communication channels and social media. Here are a few - of many - employee stories:

Monica B.

"I am from Tanzania and a tradition that I really enjoy is getting henna tattoos. Henna tattoos are part of a special ritual during occasions like religious holidays (Eid), birthdays and/or weddings. During traditional ‘Swahili’ weddings the bride is decorated with henna for good luck. Henna tattoos are really popular now and you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to get one. The last time I went home (pre-Covid) my daughter and mother-in-law got beautiful tattoos."

Todd B.

“May is Jewish American Heritage Month. Throughout time, it was looked down upon to be Jewish. People were held back, punished, discriminated against, told “no” and even killed. Despite these obstacles, Jewish people have held their heads high, pushed back, and never let anyone stop them from achieving their goals, which has helped shape the world. 

To share my Jewish culture, here’s a picture of apple charoset (pronounced “Horosa”). It is a dish that reminds me of my grandfather, as he traditionally made this dish. While the recipe varies, common ingredients in apple charoset are apples, pears, raisins, figs, orange juice, red wine, pine nuts and cinnamon and it is traditionally eaten during Passover Seder.

I'm proud to be Jewish, during this month and every day.”

Jessica S.

"Although I have lived in the United States for nearly 23 years, I am originally from Northern Spain. Here are some photographs that remind me of where I come from.

The traditional Basque clothing although it varies per region, derives from what farmers would wear back in the day. Usually people will dress in traditional clothing for town festivals to celebrate their heritage, you will also see performances of traditional dances.

The Txistu, it's a popular Basque instrument usually played alongside a drum during these celebrations, typically you would march around the streets of the town for all to hear.

I also wanted to share some pictures of the beautiful home architecture (the picture shared is where my mom currently lives). We also have beautiful mountain views and beaches.

My son got to visit Spain and meet his great grandma for the first time in 2019. Hopefully we can go back again soon!"

Melissa T.

"As an American Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) that was born in the U.S. with immigrant parents, English became my primary language out of necessity. Fast forward many years later and both my children are in a Mandarin immersion school, because both heritage and diversity helped me to be a better leader. It allowed me to empathize and collaborate with people that have had accomplishments, struggles and experiences shaped by their own cultural differences. Diversity of thought, inclusion of ideas and courage to change is what drives organizations (and people!) to succeed."

Ricardo C.

“Our individual cultural identities help inform the way we see the world. Sharing about our cultural diversity with our colleagues in the workplace is super important, as it offers new perspectives that can inspire us to see the world in a different light. Bringing these new perspectives about the world into the workplace have been proven to inspire creativity, drive innovation, and even make businesses more competitive and profitable!”

Daniel O.

"#WorldDay Baleadas are among the most popular Honduran foods to date. These soft, thick tacos, in their simplest form, are stuffed with refried beans, salty cheese, and Honduran-style sour cream. Other satisfying fillings may include scrambled eggs, avocado slices, and meat. What’s even better is you can customize baleadas to suit your taste! #AssurantDiversity #Honduras"

Earlier this year, Assurant joined 500 companies and organizations (and counting!) in a viral social media movement inspired by media company, The Skimm. Their ongoing campaign encourages employer transparency by inspiring companies to showcase their family leave benefits. The Skimm believes transparency is a crucial first step to improving paid leave for all. As a company employing nearly 16,000 employees across the globe, we do, too.

We believe in the importance of inclusion and flexibility in the workplace, so we recognize employee benefits shouldn’t fit into a one-sized-fits-all policy. Some may need to step away from work to care for a loved one, grow their family, or focus on themselves.

We shared a highlight of our parental leave and family support benefits in our recent social post, but we’ve given you a closer look at how Assurant remains committed to supporting employees below*:

Assurant Parental Leave and Family Support Benefits

• 12 weeks paid pregnancy leave and parental leave for birthing parents 
• 4 weeks paid parental leave for all new parents, regardless of gender or caregiver status 
  
• Family expanding financial and medical support: $20,000 for qualifying adoption or surrogacy services and $30,000 for fertility services plus expert support
• Back up childcare, dependent adult care and virtual tutoring services Free and confidential 
• Global Employee Assistance Program, which includes a variety of services for employees and their families, including mental health, financial and legal
• Future Moms program includes personal pregnancy nurse to assist with prenatal care 

Additional Assurant Benefits Popular with Parents and Families

• Generous Paid Time Off that increases with tenure
  
• 13 paid holidays, including national observed holidays and flexible days to focus on: personal cultural celebrations, wellbeing and family time
• Paid volunteer day for employees to dedicate toward charitable causes 
  
• Health insurance coverage that begins on day one of employment
• Ongoing flexible work-from-home and hybrid options 
• Variety of employee discounts & perks for travel, retail, electronics and more 

For more information about our U.S. benefits, visit myassurantbenefits.com. For details about our global benefits, please speak with a recruiter. 

*As of March 2022 | Benefits are for U.S. employees. Regional benefits may differ. 

As of this year, LinkedIn boasts more than 810 million global users across 200 countries and territories, making it the largest professional network on the planet. It is a platform that is perfect for staying up to date on industry trends or emerging professional roles.

Alternatively, LinkedIn can also be leveraged to attract people in your network to our company by sharing opportunities and business highlights. This allows us to leverage one another’s connections to build our brand and attract the best talent. It’s estimated that roughly 80% of the jobs filled are through personal and professional connections.   

As a Senior Recruiting Consultant, I’ve learned in my 20 years of experience that networking is key if you're serious about your career and professional advancement. But it isn’t just about having a presence on LinkedIn or other networking sites. Don't just "set it and forget it." You need a great LinkedIn presence that highlights your expertise, interests and personality. That way, you're able to connect with the people who can help you expand your career. 

At Assurant, our guiding mission as a responsible employer is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity and inclusion while recognizing the importance of investing in employee talent. 

We see a lot of fantastic candidates applying for roles at Assurant. Here’s a few tips for making yourself stand out in your job search or networking endeavors:

In your settings, turn your profile on to public

• Friends, current or past colleagues, recruiters or industry networking opportunities won’t be able to find you if your profile visibility is limited.

Connect with people who send you an invitation

• Try connecting with like-minded and skilled individuals to expand your industry impact and potentially advance your career. 
• Once connected to people, try to make a point to engage with them and their content. Make comments on relevant stories. Answer any messages. The possibilities for engagement and networking are out there and can work to your benefit.

Add substance to your profile with specific details 

• Update your profile with a picture of yourself so people can recognize you. 
• Choose a memorable background photo that features your interests or expertise. It helps to tell a visual story about who you are.
• Craft a standout LinkedIn headline. Having a headline on your profile is key to making a positive impression and concisely explaining what you bring to the table.
• Tell your story in the summary section. Some people may simply use it to list their recent job titles or most valuable skills, but this section also has the potential to help you provide unique information about who you are and can differentiate you from the competition. 

Edit your profile regularly 

• Did you move recently? Update your location so that recruiters know where you’re located.
• Try to regularly update your other content, such as adding new skills or projects you completed recently. This shows to recruiters that you’re committed to growing and learning, which is always an attractive quality.

Ask your colleagues for recommendations on your skills. This is a great way to boost your profile to the people looking to connect with you while adding credibility to you as a professional and a teammate.  

I am reminded of a time when we hired an employee who I connected with on LinkedIn a while back. Although it didn’t work out for that specific position I was looking to fill, he reached out when he saw that I had posted a new role on my LinkedIn that very much aligned with his background. So, you see, building your profile and expanding your network can lead to new, boundless opportunities.

It’s estimated that roughly 80% of the jobs filled are through personal and professional connections. As our “new normal” has moved to a more virtual work environment, forging those connections through social networking has become even more critical, so let’s start building our connections!  

Interested in joining our team? Click here to learn more and apply!

I recently had the honor of participating in the Innovative Legal Leadership podcast. During my discussion, I was asked what advice I would give my 25-year old self. Fortunately, I didn’t have to think hard about it because I happen to have two sons who are in their twenties and starting their career journeys. Because I’d give them the exact same advice, I’m eager to also share with you:

1. There is no “best job” that will determine the rest of your career.
   Don’t worry about getting that perfect first job. You’ll learn from every job you have, especially those that don’t work out. 
2. The career “ladder” is not a natural progression, with each step a straight line to the top. 
   Take risks, try new things and learn from each step along the way.
3. It is okay if you don’t know what you want to do for the rest of your life. 
   Don’t look at managers and corporate leaders and assume they always knew where their careers would lead. They were also in their twenties once, and just like you, they likely had no magic ball to know where their careers would lead. 
4. Help everyone you can, especially your peers.
   Being a team player will pay more dividends than succeeding at the expense of others. (And trust me, it will be noticed.)
5. Be in the moment.
   Excel in every job and push yourself to gain new experiences, different perspectives and new skills. Don’t always be thinking about what comes next. 

In my role leading our legal function at Assurant, I think of these pieces of advice every day as I help our team members grow their careers through new experiences. The commitment to helping our employees with their learning and development is part of what makes Assurant such a great place to work. 

Hear More from Jay

Check out the Innovative Legal Leadership podcast to hear about Jay’s belief in trying new things and taking risks, including:

• Lessons from his time at the White House
• Structuring the legal department to best serve business priorities
• A purposeful approach to talent retention
• Assurant’s DEI initiatives

🔊Listen on Apple 
🔊Listen on Spotify

About Jay

Jay Rosenblum is executive vice president, chief legal officer of Assurant, Inc. and a member of the company’s Management Committee. He leads Assurant’s global legal department, which includes oversight for compliance, government relations, regulatory affairs and other legal matters affecting the company. In that role, he serves as a key advisor to the Assurant Board of Directors and oversees corporate governance matters.

Mr. Rosenblum joined Assurant in 2019 as senior vice president, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs where he was responsible for developing and advancing Assurant's global government relations and regulatory affairs strategy, establishing engagement priorities, building partnerships with external stakeholders and advocating for the company's policy and regulatory positions. Prior to his appointment as chief legal officer, Mr. Rosenblum served as interim chief legal officer from February to July 2020.

I joined Assurant 9 years ago and am currently a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant, based in Phoenix, AZ and working remotely from my home office. In my opinion, Assurant is the best company I have ever worked for. As part of the Professional Recruiting team, I partner with managers in the Global Housing division to recruit, screen, interview and hire for various claims related positions such as desk claims adjusters, field adjusters, special investigators, leads, supervisors and managers.

Here are a few reasons why I’m proud to work for Assurant:

Assurant invested in my growth

Upon being hired, I was given a structured and detailed training agenda that enabled me to transition into the role and within the team with ease. My supervisor ensured to touch base with me daily to answer any questions I had or to walk me through any obstacles or challenges I was facing. I was assigned to a seasoned recruiter, who not only helped train me on all the department processes but who was always available to help me out when needed.

Employees are encouraged to pursue their career aspirations, and Assurant is committed to investing in our growth. As a recruiter, I am always excited to see our employees get hired, move into senior leadership positions and further their careers while utilizing their skills to enhance our business.

Assurant’s full of talented, collaborative individuals

What I like most about working here is the unique culture that is so prevalent. Every interaction I have had and continue to have at Assurant is positive. The people who work here are not only professional but also down-to-earth, respectful, approachable and collaborative. My team members are talented, sharp and efficient, and we function as a tight unit. Our supervisors provide a high level of support and ongoing training to keep us relevant, efficient and innovative in this market. Assurant continues to have a high-level commitment not only to clients but also to employees.

Assurant prevailed during the pandemic by taking care of the employees and communities

At the on-set of the pandemic, executive leadership mobilized us all to safer working conditions, such as equipping us to work from home or providing proper PPE for those who needed to continue working on-site, such as in our depot centers. While other organizations were focused on the bottom line by issuing large layoffs, Assurant took our safety and wellbeing into consideration first. We are updated on the global situation on a regular basis, and we’re given an opportunity to adjust to the new way of working with a special focus on our mental well-being through our global Employee Assistance Program.

Personally, my performance, efforts and dedication to my role at Assurant have always been noted and recognized, which is incredibly encouraging. I was promoted to a Senior Talent Acquisition Consultant last year, and that just made me appreciate working at Assurant even more!

If you are considering a role with Assurant, I’m happy to discuss in more detail. Connect with me!

I’ve been working since I was 10 years old, starting off as my mother’s bookshelf-duster and moving on eventually to the corporate world. Of all the places I’ve worked, Assurant has been the best.

Viewed superficially, companies are the same. They attempt to enrich their owners, they employ people and they offer products or services. But look more deeply, and you find companies differ vastly in terms of culture. A company’s culture is its personality, and they vary widely.

While everywhere I’ve worked has had some unique virtues, Assurant stands out because it’s a kind, principle-driven company you can be proud to work for.

Our People Are Our Best Asset
Here, people here support each other. If I email someone with a question, I usually get an answer that same day with the information I need and an offer of more help. It’s a simple thing that makes my days smoother.

This helpfulness extends to every level of the company. For example, on a recent Town Hall with our CEO, Keith Demmings, he said people should email him their questions. He’d be sure they got answers they needed. It is essential, he said, for the CEO to be in contact with Assurant’s people.

Bottom line: People are nice here.

Stocking Your Toolbox
When I ask for something I need to get my job done, I get it. Early on with my career at Assurant, I asked if I could get a license for Microsoft Project, software than makes tracking complex, multi-step effort easier. The answer from leadership was “yes.” It was so easy! And now, in my work as a content developer, copywriter, and producer of corporate reports, I use my copy of Project almost every day.

Bottom line: Being trusted to know your needs and having them met makes for a job well done.

Values with Meaning
Assurant’s core values drive the company’s behavior. The folks directing the company put values first. The rest of the workforce feels inspired to follow suit.

One of our core values is common decency. Its influence showed up clearly when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. Assurant swiftly prioritized safety and health accommodations for our global employees. Since then, they’ve been transparent in their communication strategy, ensuring they are empowering employees with the utmost safety options, such as hybrid work options, work-from-home options or increased PPE for those with face-to-face roles.

The company is also deeply committed to empowering the communities where it serves. Employees are encouraged to make charitable donations to causes they feel passionately about. Through the Assurant Foundation, those charitable donations are met 1:1 or sometimes 2:1. In 2021, Assurant donated $5.3 million in matching funds and supported about 1,700 charitable organizations.

Assurant is constantly striving to exceed their global diversity, equity and inclusion goals. For example, we’ve launched our first Employee Resource Group (ERG) March 2022 — Women@Assurant — and there are plans to launch additional ERGs this year to provide stronger representation and growth opportunities for underrepresented groups.

Bottom line: A values-first approach makes Assurant a place where I’m proud to work.

A Great Place to Work
It’s rare to find a place where you feel supported and valued every day. And finding such a place that’s value-driven and financially sound seems to me like finding a unicorn in your bathtub.

Assurant has received numerous recognitions echoing the sentiment I feel for the company. Ten Assurant locations globally have earned the Great Place to Work® certification, including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Japan, Mexico, Peru and the United States. We have also been named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the fourth consecutive year in 2022, with a 100% score from the Human Rights Campaign, and we were included in the 2022 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for a second year.

Bottom line: It has been, and continues to be, a joy to work here.

If you want to find out more about Assurant and you’d like to take the next step in your career, check out the Careers page.

We are thrilled to announce that we have been certified as a Great Place to Work® in the U.S.! Great Place to Work® is considered the gold standard in employer brand recognition, and we are honored to be added to the list. 

With our certification in the U.S., ten Assurant locations globally have earned the Great Place to Work® certification, including: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Japan, Mexico and Peru.

82% of U.S. employees surveyed say Assurant is a great place to work compared to 59% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.* 

Our U.S. employees highlighted:

• 89% - When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.
• 86% - Management is honest and ethical in its business practices.
• 86% - I am able to take time off from work when I think it's necessary.
• 86% - I feel good about the ways we contribute to the community.
• 85% - I am given the resources and equipment to do my job.

We couldn’t accomplish any of this without our employees! We are thankful for our Assurant employees and their continued engagement, ongoing and honest feedback, and most of all, their dedication to our customers and each other as we continue to make Assurant a great place to work, grow and contribute.

Click here for more information about what makes Assurant a Great Place to Work®.

Click here for a list of our global awards.

*Source: Great Place to Work® 2019 U.S. National Employee Engagement Study.

In 2021, we saw a lot of exciting changes at Assurant and we’re excited to reflect on some specific areas relative to team growth, expanding our capabilities, growing our diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Here’s a quick snapshot into 2021’s growth across the organization:

1. Our global employee headcount grew from more than 14,000 employees to over 15,500.
2. We grew our capabilities in the connected lifestyle space by acquiring Hyla & Trygle, which helps expands our ability to keep our customers connected.
3. Assurant was recognized as one of the 50 Most Community-Minded Companies in the United States.
4. We embraced new ways of working with flexible, remote opportunities through an initiative called, Ways2Work.
5. We officially piloted and soft-launched our first Employee Resource Group, Women@Assurant.
6. We reached a milestone of $100 million in venture capital investments

And that’s just to name a few!

With the recent retirement of CEO, Alan Colberg and Keith Demming’s transition into the role, we are looking forward to the continued trajectory of improving the connected world in 2022.

We asked our employees to celebrate their own professional and personal growth this past year by using #HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing on social media. Here’s a few of their replies:

Drew H.

At the beginning of 2021, I was working in the Higher Education space for a software company as a Product Owner. I joined Assurant in June as a Manager, Digital Marketing Product Owner leading the web team responsible for over 25 websites worldwide. This transition is a highlight of my career and I am so happy to be a part of a team with a pulse on digital transformation and connectivity across the globe. I am excited for the challenges and achievements 2022 will bring for my career and for this company!
#HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing.
#LifeatAssurant

Mary L.

I would not have imagined two years ago that I'd be ‘relocating' from my office at Assurant's warm Miami campus to my extra-room-turned-office at home, on a full-time basis.

I feel so fortunate for the flexibility and care that the company has shown during this time. And I feel like my team has grown closer than ever, even though we're ‘far' apart.

#HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing #LifeatAssurant

Eric C.

The past few years have been an adventure. Truly one of discovery and positive growth.

I started my role at Assurant by leading a group of wonderful people onsite. In the office, those water cooler conversations, daily touch base sessions or something as simple as walking the aisles as you engage your staff, come easy and more naturally.

Then, the pandemic hit, sending close to 95% of the work force home. As a result, I've been challenged to think more innovatively, seeking out possible efficiencies with how we do things.

This has helped me to determine new considerations for each situation and new possibilities for engagement, using fun and creative ways that speak to and inspire our “now home” staff.

I am privileged to work for such a great company; One that promotes innovative thinking, collaborative planning and encourages its employees to share their voices.

#LifeAtAssurant #HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing

Kay S.

March 12, 2022 will make 10 years since my first day at Assurant. Almost a decade ago, I interviewed for an Insurance Specialist role with Assurant. In my first round of interviews, my soon to be manager asked, “Why should we hire you?” I had longed to work for the organization for years but never made it to the interview until then. I told him “Because if you don’t, I am going to drive you crazy applying over and over again. I believe in this organization's culture, mission, and atmosphere so I will not give up.”

I got called on my birthday with the job offer and I could not have been happier. Since joining the organization, I have progressed - I have grown as an employee and also a person. I received many quality assurance, customer service, performance, and complimentary awards for my dedication and obtained licenses to further expand my knowledge base. When under normal circumstances, volunteer opportunities and the building environment each day was motivation to becoming the best version of ourselves. Every person has been supportive thus far on my educational and leadership goals, and no matter the trial, the company has always been transparent and supportive.

#HowitstartedVSHowitsgoing #LifeatAssurant

Michelle N.M.

This time last year I came back to a company that I truly call “home.”

It’s a company I served earlier in my career, both as an employee and a freelancer.

It’s a company and a culture that has always welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to contribute to its growing success.

Looking forward to new opportunities ahead

#AssurantProud
#HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing
#LifeAtAssurant

Jonathan H.

In 2008, I was lucky enough to join the Sales Optimization team (which feels more like a family!) at Assurant. During my time here, many enriching things happened in my life, including marrying my wonderful wife, Jessica, and welcoming our son, Luke, into the world.

As I reflected on my time with the organization, it got me thinking: my 14 year, transformational journey with this company has proven to me that joining Assurant was the right choice. One of the aspects of Assurant that makes me the proudest is our commitment to positively impacting the world. It is an ethical, caring, customer focused company, and I consider myself blessed to be employed here.

Each day, I am inspired by our leadership and by the amazing people that I serve, and I am thankful that this journey will continue as a Director of Point of Sales Marketing within our Home Solutions division. Looking forward to all that we can accomplish together, let's make this year the best one yet!

Happy 2022 everyone : )

Niki F.

As I reflect on the past year, it's very clear that the beginning of 2021 looks vastly different from the end. Just to name a few changes from this year, I started a new job and joined an amazing team at Assurant, got a new pup named Rocco, and experienced a ton of personal and professional growth.

Though 2021 proved to be challenging, there were plenty of highlights and silver linings. And please enjoy this picture of Rocco in a sweater since that's way more exciting than me sitting at my desk :)

#LifeatAssurant #HowItStartedVsHowItsGoing

Catherine B.

I almost didn’t participate in this challenge because I initially didn’t think I had enough to celebrate. I’m still with Assurant doing work I love with a team I love. I’m still just a loving family of three. We didn’t get a new pet. We didn’t buy a new house. I didn’t overcome a fitness milestone. We didn’t go on any international travels. I’m still seemingly just the same Catherine.

While not much has changed for me looking from the outside, I spent this last year focusing on my inside. How I process stress. How I process happiness. How I process time management. How I process and prioritize quality time.

This year, I committed to finding the right balance, mentally. Giving myself grace when I needed to. Being far more patient with myself. I learned that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. And I learned that I can be a good mom and still do well in my career.

Maybe next year I’ll run a race or we’ll consider getting a dog. Maybe I’ll pick up a new hobby or learn how to make pasta from scratch. Who knows? In the meantime, I’ll just continue on advocating for #selfcare and #mentalhealth because that’s just as important, especially in the midst of a continuous pandemic.

#lifeatassurant
#howitstartedvshowitsgoing

Khristie P.

Happy 2-year anniversary to Assurant and Me. That’s 2 years, 24 months, 104 weeks, 730 days of opportunities and chances.

Many things have happened during that time, but my favourite moment was moving into a specialised role of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which quite literally makes my heart beat every day.

What I’ve learnt over the last 18 months following Nad’s cancer diagnosis is that our passions are too strong to not be dancing to them.

So, thank you to Michael Carter for hiring me, and to Alecia Bailey and #Assurant for releasing my passion into a role I can dance to. Here’s to many more years! 
#assurant #lifeatassurant #assurantproud #humanpotential #people #inclusionanddiversity

We have loved seeing how Assurant as a company and some of our employees have grown throughout the past year, and we are looking forward to an even better 2022! 

In the spirit of holiday cheer and goodwill, Assurant celebrates our teams that embody Assurant’s Connected Responsibilities: connecting, protecting, and inspiring the communities where we live and work. Mickey Uphold, Sr. Channel Optimization Executive on the Sales Optimization Team based in Oklahoma, recently shared his experience in partnering with his team to support the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division’s Virtual Angel Tree program. Their mission was to help bring hope for families and individuals in need this holiday season.

“Each year as a team, we choose an event we can all give back to,” Mickey explained during his team’s virtual conference. With over 60 teammates on the Sales Optimization Team, everyone had the option of shopping online to select their virtual angels, choose three gifts from their wish list and ship them out directly to their angel. For those who wanted to purchase the angel’s gifts directly from stores, members from the Sales Optimization Team were given a two-hour break to purchase their three gifts for the Virtual Angel Tree.

Mickey opted to browse the aisles of a local department store and documented his entire journey by video:

“This [assignment] hit home for me because I grew up with a single Mom who worked two jobs to support me and my brother,” Mickey explained. “I was about 5 years old when “Santa” from the Salvation Army showed up at our apartment with a bag full of gifts and dinner.”

Mickey reminisces of that evening where he recalls the smell of the Christmas dinner spread and the joy in his mother. “I can remember watching my mom joyfully weep of the generosity of the Salvation Army,” he says.

Mickey and his brother each received three gifts from the Salvation Army that Christmas. “I still have the cabbage patch kid that I got that Christmas,” he recalls.

That experience clearly left an imprint in Mickey, and he was excited he was in a place to return the favor for other children and give them hope this holiday season, especially in a time with many people are struggling in the pandemic. “People need HOPE more than ever now,” he says.

Together with the Sales Optimization Team, they were able to donate over 200 presents this year to families in need. Mickey believes it was such a success “because of Assurant being an amazing company, with amazing leadership, and a culture that believes that giving back to their communities.” 

As a veteran with a passion for coaching and leading people, Mickey embodies several of Assurant’s core values. In under two years of working for Assurant as a Sr. Channel Optimization Executive, he continues to assist in advancing the connected ecosystem while infusing disruption and innovation to optimize client performance.

This #GivingTuesday, we celebrate his passion and generosity. How do you plan to give back this holiday season?

Our workforce is strongest when we’re made up of the people we serve. This includes having a workforce comprised of people of all abilities.

We’re striving daily to be a more Diverse, Equitable and Inclusive organization. We’re also working to be a better company for our employees and a better partner within the communities we interact with. 

The CDC estimates that one in four adults in the United States has a disability, which broadly includes physical, neurological and mental health conditions. Yet, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics found in 2020 that just under 18% of persons with a disability were employed compared to about 62% of persons without a disability.

Employees deserve workplaces that welcome them and enable them to do their best work. An inclusive workforce can impact how we perform, grow, engage with employees and drive superior customer experiences.

Earlier this fall, the Assurant Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team held a Courageous Conversations panel series. Nearly 2,000 employees dialed in from 22 different countries to learn more about what it means to make Assurant a more diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace through disability inclusion.

While some panelists brought direct perspectives in dealing with their own disability in the workplace, some also addressed what it means to be an ally for those who may be silently suffering.

Here are a few of their perspectives:

Andy L., VP, Lending Solutions Operations
A Courageous Conversations panelist, reflects on his son's legacy and encourages others to take the time to get to know people with disabilities.

I’ve been lucky to work at Assurant for 8 years and have continually been impressed by the openness and inclusion that our culture strives to foster. Over the past couple years, our company has engaged in multiple “Courageous Conversations,” which is a virtual platform for employees across the globe to candidly discuss various topics.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, I was honored to be part of the diverse panel that discussed our personal journeys with disabilities. That conversation has spawned so many positive interactions that I wanted to share my family’s story in the hopes it encourages others to better understand the challenges faced by families with disabilities and the opportunity they have to grow from actively being a part of their journeys.

Our son Kelson was born in 2011 with profound physical and developmental disabilities. He spent his first months in the hospital in Tallahassee and then in Jacksonville in the NICU. We spent so many hours those first few months wondering if our son would ever have a “normal” life. Over the years, we have often discussed being babies ourselves at that point of our journey. We had no idea what to expect but hoped and prayed that we would be able to find the answer or “answers” for what was wrong with our wonderful boy.

Through the many years of countless surgeries, hospital stays, and visits to specialists around the country, we realized we would never get those answers. But during that same time, our acceptance grew, and we learned to appreciate the blessing we had been given to be part of such a special life.

The lows were low, but the highs were higher on our journey with Kelson. The small things and fleeting joyful moments during the constant pressure of caring for a child with disabilities, made them sweeter. Our son taught us so many things, but most importantly he taught us how to love others no matter their differences or disabilities, and to take the time to understand what everyone is carrying and struggling with each and every day.

After overcoming so much in his life and living well past when many doctors thought he would, our superhero left us in May 2020. He never spoke a word, never walked, never did any of the things so many of us take for granted every day, but in the almost 9 years Kelson spent here, he impacted more lives that I could ever hope to. So many folks around the world followed our family on our journey and were changed for the better, and we were blessed by their love for us. This is the magic superpower of children with disabilities, they inspire us all to be better, if we take the time to be part of their lives.

I challenge you to think about those you come across with disabilities, and to take the time to get to know them and their families, be it at work or in your personal life. Encourage your children to interact with children with disabilities; you can’t imagine the difference it will make. I can promise you the time you spend with those superheroes will change you for the better, and their families will be eternally grateful for it as well.

I’ll share what my father said in closing at my son’s memorial service, “Here was a boy that never said a word but has literally impacted people around the world, what will your legacy be?”

Anne P., Assistant Vice President for the People Business Partners
Stood up the STARS program at Assurant, which connects people with disabilities to job opportunities at Assurant.

Based in Lewisville, Texas, Anne supports more than 2,500 employees located in New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. These Assurant depots focus on light manufacturing of cell phones for major mobile carriers, including trade-ins and mobile phone repairs and logistics. 

…

Anne says these STARS are committed to their work and other employees take notice of that commitment. She calls their presence a “powerful motivator” for all their coworkers. 

“They're here every day and they want to learn,” Anne says. “They’re excited about being part of a team which includes them in the workplace and doesn’t treat anyone differently because of their disability.” 

Read Anne’s full feature here.

Khristie P., Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager

Moderated the Courageous Conversations panel and discusses her own insights on the importance of disability inclusion.

 Creating conversations which are vulnerable, raw and empathetic are incredibly important to me. It’s through sharing our lived experiences that we can connect with each other on a deeper level which in turn drives incredible feelings of belonging, inclusion and performance within the workplace. Conversations about our emotions and abilities can be empowering to others.

Late last year my world fell apart after my partner was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer, 6 months after his 40th birthday. In January 2021 we were told he had 3 months to live. It’s through sheer GRIT that we’ve made it through this last year. That, and 6 months of intensive chemotherapy. Throughout the last year I’ve been in and out of counselling and CBT to treat the catastrophic thoughts which were crippling me from the moment we knew he had cancer. The worst part for me was the harsh reality that I couldn’t do anything to fix this. I’m a fixer and this was not fixable by me, but I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable and learn to stay in the present.

I’ve always been transparent about my feelings towards “rumbling with vulnerability” in the words of Brene Brown. So here we are almost 12 months later… continuing to “adapt and overcome” just as he kept telling me during the tough times.

#InclusionMeansMe #LifeatAssurant #assurantproud

John F., Mgr, Software Engineering

Bravely addressed the challenges in being a veteran and living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On Veterans Day, I often reflect on my years in the military. I remember the good times with people who, like me, put their lives on the line to secure the blessings of liberty and freedom that we often take for granted.

The part of the service that most people don’t see is the nightmares, the constant state of looking over one’s shoulder and the anger and guilt for not having done enough to save those who lost their lives in service of their country. They don’t see the impact that this service has on our minds, bodies and our loved ones.

To many of us combat vets who suffer from PTSD, we are terrified to reveal the pain that we feel. We are terrified about the prospect of being labeled. Instead, we relive the pain in our minds repeatedly and, often, alone. Sadly, approximately 20 veterans a day take their own lives as a result of this pain and loneliness.

On Veteran’s Day, this day when we honor those served, let us embrace our veterans in more ways than simply saying thank you for your service or by offering them a free meal. Let us be there for our veterans by checking with them to make sure that they know they are not alone. Let us make sure that no vet ever feels like they are alone and have no hope.

I once heard a quote that really resonated with me, “You cannot patch a wounded soul with a band aid.” It is up to us to provide the support and healing vets need. Together, we can make sure that no vet ever feels the alone and hopeless."

#VeteranStoriesAtAssurant #InclusionMeansMe

Francesca L., Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer
Spoke about her experience in being a mother and her experience in relearning the word, “different”.

Motherhood has been different from what I originally envisioned. I remember the excitement waiting for my sons to be born and the stark contrast of those first few hours after their birth - the fear, and ultimately the confirmation that motherhood would be “different.” “Different” due to the countless rounds of doctors’ visits, the ever-present pit in my stomach, the missed milestones. “Different” by the kinship with fellow parents, dedicated doctors and unexpected guides, who all shared their lessons of science and compassion.

Cerebral Palsy has not necessarily defined us as a family, but in many ways, “different” has - from learning to lean on others to navigate the unknowns, to developing our emotional muscle to manage uncertainty and appreciate the everyday moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Through the years, I found strength from my son’s courage and optimism, and also in the voices of leaders like Satya Nadella and organizations including National Ability Center.

Overall, the “different” has helped our family find our way as human beings - stronger, empathic and real. To all those who are finding their way especially during these challenging times, you are not alone – as much as we all are different, you and we are the same. 

By having conversations about diversity and by creating job opportunities for people with disabilities, we want people in the communities we serve to have a place where they feel supported and valued and can fully contribute. 

If there’s anything we learned in reflection from the Courageous Conversations, we learned the importance of making a loved one’s voice or your own voice heard. Because chances are, there are those out there looking to find the strength in their own voice.

Some insights from the panel chat:

“Thank you to all of the brave and strong people on this panel for your willingness to share your journeys with us and to educate us on what CAN be accomplished. Having grown up with a disabled brother who was born in the 60's and died young, I wish my parents had had the means and resources available to do more for him. This Courageous Conversation is very emotional and inspiring!”

“My mom ended up in a wheelchair in her 40's due to cancer. She is paralyzed from the waist down.  She is now 89. I tried to teach whoever I meet to treat individuals with disability with respect.   Francesca, thank YOU for sharing your heart with us.”

“Thank you for being so vulnerable to share your personal journey about yourself and your son and daughter… both the ongoing challenges and successes!  This has been very enlightening and inspirational to so many.”

“Thank you for sharing your story. There is so much we can learn from you and your experiences. So many are going through similar experiences and suffer in silence. You have been very encouraging. THANK YOU!”

If you’d like to discuss disability inclusion as an ally or reflect on your own experiences, we’d like to hear your story. Share it on social media using #InclusionMeansMe.

Many countries worldwide honor Veterans with formal recognition days during November to recognize their service and sacrifice. Often asked to put themselves in harm's way, be apart from their families for extended periods, and risk their lives to protect our nations and loved ones, Veterans and military families deserve to be recognized. 

Every day and especially this month, Assurant honors the service and sacrifice of our employee Veterans and family members who support them, and all Veterans worldwide. Veterans add to the diversity of our workforce, and we recognize the contributions they’ve made to Assurant as part of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion commitment.  

We asked our colleagues to reflect on what this observation means to them by sharing stories on social media through #VeteranStoriesAtAssurant. Some celebrate the Veteran’s in their lives, some reflect on the skills gained during their time in the military and some recognize the challenges that follow their sacrifices. Please join us in honoring our Veterans across the globe by reading their insights below:

Lee D., VP, Business Development

Happy Veterans Day! I am proud to be a veteran of the United States Air Force. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without the training and experience that I received during my 9 years in the USAF. 
 
I also wanted to thank all of my fellow Assurant veterans for your service to our country. Thank you and your families for the sacrifices you made to serve and protect our great nation. Stay safe and Aim High! 
 
Picture is from my first deployment with the 631st Tactical Control Flight (TCF) USAF - 1987 
 
#VeteranStoriesAtAssurant. 

Danyelle J., AVP, Global Organizational Development & Change Management

My daughter, Jazmine Glenn, was in the Navy for seven years. Jazmine learned several life lessons while in the military and gained friends for life. In addition, Jazmine was able to nurture her artistic abilities while in the military.

She was on the USS Roosevelt on deployment in 2020. Unfortunately, the coronavirus was detected on the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in March 2020 while she was at sea. Jazmine, along with affected crew members, were evacuated, and the ship was ordered to Guam.  

Jazmine was relentless and chose not to be defeated by the pandemic. Instead, Jazmine bought joy to those around her through her art. She created t-shirts and a mural on the USS Roosevelt that still stands. Most of her best work was done during this time. While on deployment, she landed a sweet deal with Netflix to do fan art that propelled her career as an artist. Jazmine has been home now for 5-months and has several projects in the pipeline to take her craft to the next level.

As her mother, there was not much I could do to help her through those tough times. However, I was her biggest fan and champion here at home. It was my job to support her and make sure the stories she wanted to share were told. Jazmine joined the Navy to find her purpose. She traveled all over the globe and came back home with a clear understanding of who she is and will continue to be.  

When I think of my daughters’ stories and life in the military, I think of our value, COMMON DECENCY - We act with integrity. We treat others with respect, courtesy, and kindness. We’re honest, transparent, and committed to doing the right thing. Jazmine embodies this value through and through. From her philanthropy, mentorship, and dedication to craft, she is a remarkable person. 

Eric C., People Partner

Duff D., Assurant Senior Customer Care Specialist 

Veteran’s Day is a day for honoring those who have served in the armed forces. Today, I want to honor my father, Richard Derks, who served in the Army during the Korean war. He believed in doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Like my father, I too was in Army service, serving on the East/West German border separating the free world from communism.  

Our military service provided us both with the ability to persevere. Despite our circumstances, we both believed there is always a solution. Even though my father is now gone, his values live on in me. Like my father, I have instilled these values in my children. His values inspired me to follow in his steps of Army service.                                                        

Duff Derks - US Army 85-89   

#VeteranStoriesAtAssurant

Zulima C., Director, Global Client Management

I was not born in the United States of America. I was blessed that my parents brought us to this country in pursuit of freedom. I love my hispanic heritage and it will always be a part of me. Thank you to my parents, because of you I am an American. Today I feel humbled and honored to have served my country, The United States of America. Thank you to all the brave men and women who have served our nation in uniform. We are grateful for your sacrifice.
Happy Veteran’s day.

Alex P., SVP, P&C Claims

One of the best decisions I made was joining and serving our country in the Army for 22 years. Not only did they make it possible for me to attend college, but the Army provided me with a leadership foundation and a drive for a common purpose that has guided me throughout my career. I’m appreciative of Assurant and their continued support of Veterans like me. Happy Veteran’s Day to all my veteran brothers and sisters, and their families, who sacrifice so much to keep our country safe. Today and every day I am grateful.  

#VeteranStoriesAtAssurant
#AssurantProud
#VeteransDay

Catherine B., Mgr, Digital Content Marketing & Strategy

With Veteran’s Day approaching, I want to take a moment to recognize two special men in my life: My maternal grandfather, Bill "Boo-boo" Glidden and my husband, Andrew Stamper They both dedicated their service to the U.S. Navy.

I grew up hearing stories of my grandfather, who served in the Korean War and was Captain of his ship in WWII. To know him as Boo-boo growing up - this lovable trickster of a grandfather and then realize he had an entire young life dedicated to protecting this country was a completely impressive dynamic.

As for Andrew, he served for five years aboard the USS Mitcher, where he was journalist and helmsman. He was conducting ship repairs after returning from the Mediterranean Sea when they got news that planes had struck the Twin Towers on 9/11. From there, he'd be stationed with Atlantic Fleet, where he'd dedicate his time liaising with the media.

I would meet this man, the punctual, respectful, clever, organized man who could iron and sew better than I could a few years later in under grad. The rest is history.

I'm so proud to see the difference these two men made not only in my life, but also for this country. I applaud and appreciate you and all of the veterans across the world.

#VeteranStoriesatAssurant

John F., Mgr, Software Engineering

On this Veteran’s Day, I often reflect on my years in the military. I remember the good times with people who, like me, put their lives on the line to secure the blessings of liberty and freedom that we often take for granted. 

The part of the service that most people don’t see is the nightmares, the constant state of looking over one’s shoulder and the anger and guilt for not having done enough to save those who lost their lives in service of their country. They don’t see the impact that this service has on our minds, bodies and our loved ones.

To many of us combat vets who suffer from PTSD, we are terrified to reveal the pain that we feel. We are terrified about the prospect of being labeled. Instead, we relive the pain in our minds repeatedly and, often times, alone. Sadly, approximately 20 veterans a day take their own lives as a result of this pain and loneliness.

Today, on this day when we honor those served, let us embrace our veterans in more ways than simply saying thank you for your service or by offering them a free meal. Let us be there for our veterans by checking with them to make sure that they know they are not alone. Let us make sure that no vet ever feels like they are alone and have no hope. 

I once heard a quote that really resonated with me, “You cannot patch a wounded soul with a band aid.” It is up to us to provide the support and healing vets need. Together, we can make sure that no vet ever feels the alone and hopeless. 

Emmet B., SVP, Brand & Marketing

Happy Veterans Day to my fellow veterans at Assurant. I am proud to work for a company that values the experience, skills and leadership from our military service. I learned so much during my five years in the navy that has served me well in the 30 years of my professional career since this photo was taken. #VeteranStoriesAtAssurant. 

Dan B., Vice President, Account Management

Happy Veterans Day to all military men and women, both past and present. There are many reasons why people decide to serve their country: Some join for honor, some for the challenge, some because they want to defend/protect what makes America special, and some to be part of something bigger than themselves. When I think about why I joined I can see all those reasons (and more) in my decision to serve.  It was an experience/education that I’ll never forget and one that continues to guide me in my personal and professional life to this day. Navy 1991-98 (HSL-84 Thunderbolts) #assurant #veteranstoriesatassurant

Supporting through the Assurant Foundation

Assurant and the Assurant Foundation are proud to support charities focused on Veterans year-round through charitable grants, matching gifts and volunteer engagement.

Among some of the organizations we actively support with engagement and donations include the American Red Cross, Wounded Warriors Family Support, Wounded Warriors Canada, Royal British Legion, among others. 

In honor of Veterans recognition, from November 5 – 15, our global Assurant Cares portal highlights giving opportunities for our employees to support charitable organizations that serve Veterans.

A special 2:1 match of employee donations to the highlighted organizations is live now through November 15. The special 2:1 match will be above and beyond employees’ annual $1,000 allocation.

I started at Assurant in 2013 when we brought on T-Mobile as a client and I was brought in to help with the onboarding and transition. I was leaving a work-from-home position and was ecstatic because Assurant seemed to be a perfect match for me, being a young leader who was still learning and developing.  

In the time I’ve been with Assurant, I have helped improve and change a lot of things. I’ve also helped create things we still use today, such as the Team Lead Tracking Template and Dashboard. I learned so many great things that have helped me better define how to be an effective and appreciated teammate. 

After many years on the call side with the organization, I transitioned to coordinating the new chat support program for mobile claims. I’ve also worked closely with several project managers and operations staff, which has been a great opportunity to expand my scope and how I think about our business and operational designs at Assurant.  

Over the years, I have applied for different roles within Assurant to scale my career, but that never slowed me down on trying to be the best leader I can possibly be and always supporting my agents to be the best they can be. Moving over to the chat team has been my greatest adventure so far with Assurant. It remains challenging and fulfilling as we continue to perfect our processes. 

I was recently referred by a colleague to look into getting my Scrum certification to prepare myself to move up in my career. Scrum is basically an agile framework for developing certain projects, often software. The agile project management methodology uses short development cycles, called “sprints,” that result in the ongoing improvement of a product or service. It is an incredibly collaborative process. After taking the course, I think it truly reflects what I do now as a supervisor in coaching and directing others to do the jobs they are capable of. Completing this course and receiving my Scrum certificate gives me the opportunity to start developing my experience using the fundamentals as soon as possible. 

It has always been my goal to move up within the company to gain new skills as a supervisor. It’s great to know that my manager supports my goals and is happy to help create new opportunities with me. 

I have spent 8 great years with Assurant so far. I’ve been able to stay successful and present, thanks to the supportive team that I work with every day. When I asked my manager if I could look into getting new skills and certifications, there was nothing but interest and support given from leadership. It is my goal to repay this achievement by implementing what I have gained and making a positive impact on our team.  

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share some of the reasons I am proud to work for Assurant. 

#AssurantProud 

It's commonly understood that embarking on a job search requires conforming to a job listing and checking the boxes of requirements for the role. And while those elements are top of mind throughout the process, employers like Assurant don't just want to see you check the boxes. They want to understand what you — and only you — present to the team's dynamic and expertise.

Accurately representing yourself as a unique job candidate is just as challenging as it is important throughout the process. You bring something to the table that no one else does, and it's important to hone in on what sets you apart and embrace that throughout your job search.

As a recent graduate hoping to secure an internship on Assurant's Digital Marketing team in the summer of 2020, I found that building a professional brand was vital to securing my role at Assurant. It provided clarity for both myself and employers as to why the internships I was applying for were right for me. Since securing the internship, I was brought on full time as a Digital Content and Marketing Specialist.

Here's the three-step process I used for building out a professional brand.

Step 1: Reflect on your experience and passions.

The most exciting step in the job search (to me at least) is internal exploration. It's important to prioritize finding your 'why' before relaying it to anyone else, so take time to answer the following questions:

• What experience do you have under your belt thus far?
• What topics and fields are you passionate about?
• What have you enjoyed talking about when it comes to your past experience?
• What elements are you hoping to change or introduce to your experience?
• What do you look for in a prospective employer?
• What brought you to search for a job in the first place?

Your answers to these questions will become the guiding principles of your professional brand. You'll notice that not all of these are about your skillset but your natural inclinations as well. Remember: skillsets can be fostered, but passion is inherent. That's why it's so important to value both as you embark on your job search.

For me, I was a recent graduate with editorial experience in travel and finance. I was hoping to pivot from writing to something more strategic but wanted to continue my work in travel or finance. I valued a company and team with a beating heart and strong values that could accommodate the unusual circumstances of COVID-19. These considerations helped me ultimately choose Assurant during my job search.

Step 2: Seek out companies and roles that you align with.

The application process is not one-sided. As a candidate, you should feel comfortable to challenge whether an employer is a good fit for you just as the employer considers your potential fit. Empower yourself to do research on companies, their values, their charitable efforts and the industries they operate within. Talk to people at the company to understand if the culture suits you.

When you seek out opportunities that align with your findings from Step 1, you'll find prospects that better fit your goals and needs. Without those guiding principles, you'll likely lose sight of how various opportunities fall into the narrative of your career path. If you aren't able to determine why a company or role is the right next step for you, it's unlikely that the employer will be able to make the connection.

When I explored Assurant as a prospect, I quickly found it to be a wonderful fit. Assurant is a people-focused employer, proficient in attracting, growing and empowering top talent. They strongly emphasize growth and collaboration across teams, which means you’re regularly partnering with tenured experts and with those who bring new, innovative skillsets.

Step 3: Wow the employer!

This step is all about properly relaying your applicable skills and experience, why the role is right for you and why you're right for the role. Executing this step properly is key, and it's all about balance.

Relay your passions. Tell stories throughout the application process that explain why this job isn't just a job to you – showcase how it aligns with your passions. Be mindful, though, that employers aren't just looking for why you like the role; they need to want you as much as you want them. Speak to what they care about just as you speak to what you care about.

Incorporate unique elements of your professional brand. If you're in a creative field, give employers a feel for your work through a creative resume. For non-creative roles, it might be more appropriate to highlight large projects you contributed to or statistics that highlight the impact your made in previous roles. Make sure that what you choose to do is appropriate for the field you're applying to. The goal is to wow the employer, but you do not want to stun them. Do research on field standards and use your best judgement.

Share assets that prove your expertise. Before applying to my internship role at Assurant, I had a podcast about airline points and miles. As part of this project, I had created a branding guide and marketing plan that included many elements of what the team was looking for in the role I was applying for. In my interview, I referenced the deck and shared it with the team alongside my thank you letter (don’t ever forget to send a thank you after your interview!). It gave them a taste of my professional brand while also giving insight into my expertise. Think about assets or stories that can further relay your background and brand beyond just speaking to your experience.

Though every role and company are different, there’s always more to your professional story that what is on your resume or in a cover letter. I hope these steps help you craft a professional brand that wows in your next interview!