Cavignac & Associates Named One of San Diego’s “Best Places to Work”

July 9, 2012 - PRLog -- Cavignac & Associates, (www.cavignac.com), a leading San Diego risk management and insurance brokerage firm, has been named among the “2012 Best Places to Work in San Diego,” announced Jeffrey W. Cavignac, CPCU, ARM, RPLU, CRIS, MLIS, president and principal of the firm.

The San Diego Business Journal, in conjunction with Best Companies Group, hosts the annual competition. The countywide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in San Diego that benefit the region’s economy, workforce and businesses.  This year’s list is comprised of 85 companies, and their rankings will be unveiled at an awards ceremony to be held August 16th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Hilton La Jolla Torrrey Pines.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:  1) Be a publicly or privately held business; 2) be a for-profit, not-for-profit business or government entity; 3) have a facility in San Diego County; 4) have a minimum of 15 full-time or part-time employees working in San Diego; and 5) have been in business a minimum of one year.

Companies from across the county entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in San Diego.  The first part involved evaluation of each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25 percent of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75 percent of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final rankings. Best Companies Group evaluated the data collected from the participating companies to determine the final rankings.

This is the second time that Cavignac & Associates has entered and been named among the Best Places to Work in San Diego.  From its inception, the company has been heavily invested in the health, happiness and long-term welfare of its employees, today enjoying a low five-percent rate of voluntary employee turnover. All employees are encouraged by management to reach their full professional potential.

In the company’s annual "Agency Scorecard”, Cavignac & Associates’ employees have consistently rated “educational opportunities” as their No. 1 favorite benefit of working at the firm. New employees receive mentoring, job shadowing and cross training by senior-level employees. The agency budgets annually to reimburse employees for course fees, books, and test fees, and it provides five paid days per year for employees to attend classes, take exams and attend conferences. When significant designations are earned, employees receive a cash bonus.

The firm provides comprehensive health insurance to its employees, including prescription, dental, long-term care, life, and long-term disability insurance.

“Sonic Boom” is a wellness program that Cavignac & Associates implemented in January of 2009. In addition to the year-long tracking of health-related behaviors, the company offers various health-promoting contests between workers focused on walking, running, exercising and weight-loss. This is a very popular program that has brought employees together as competing teams while generating new friendships. Luncheon seminars on nutrition, the benefits of exercise, and value of acupuncture and chiropractic treatments are also provided.

Community giving is greatly encouraged and supported by the firm. A committee of non-owner employees administers an “Employee Charity Fund”, with nearly 100 percent of employees donating through payroll deductions. The mission of this committee is to allocate funds to local charities, primarily to underserved groups such as low-income seniors, the homeless, and at-risk teenagers.  In 2011, employees donated more than $16,000 to18 different local charities. In addition to monetary donations, employees provide hands-on community service such as serving meals every month at the local Downtown Senior Community Center and collecting blankets and supplies for the homeless.

In addition to giving through the Charitable Fund, Cavignac & Associates makes substantial corporate contributions. Its principals actively support a number of charitable organizations, including the Challenged Athletes Foundation, YMCA, Bridges to Community, the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, and Rotary, to name a few.  Last year, the company made more than $55,000 worth of community donations.

Cavignac & Associates upholds practices that lessen impact on the environment.  Since 2004, it has operated in a paperless manner, with all files kept electronically. Policies and other work materials are scanned and emailed to employees rather than delivered as mail.

The owners of Cavignac & Associates share financial results and future plans with the staff on a regular basis. Each February 11th, the day the agency opened, it hosts a “Founders Day” meeting to review the prior year’s activities and results, as well as the goals for the coming year. A copy of the annual business plan is provided to each employee. Throughout the year, progress is tracked in monthly staff meetings, where new business, continuations and progress towards their budget are reviewed, along with other agency activities.

“Maintaining good employer practices throughout our 20-year history has reaped giant rewards, including employee loyalty and company profitably,” said Cavignac. “Our office is a great place to go each day where people are valued, trusted and supported. Being recognized as a 2012 Best Company to Work For in San Diego is icing on the cake.”

For more information on the Best Places to Work in San Diego program, please visit BestPlacesToWorkSD.com.


About Cavignac & Associates:

Founded in 1992, Cavignac & Associates is a leading risk management and commercial insurance brokerage firm providing a broad range of insurance and expertise to design and construction firms, as well as to law firms, real estate-related entities, manufacturing companies and the general business community. Company principals are Jeffrey W. Cavignac, CPCU, ARM, RPLU, CRIS, MLIS; James P. Schabarum II, CPCU, AFSB; Scott A. Bedingfield, CIC, AAI, CWCA; and Patrick Casinelli, RHU. The firm employs a staff of 40 at offices located at 450 B Street, Suite 1800, San Diego, Calif. 92101.  More information about the company can be found on the Web at www.cavignac.com.