Sun Life International is a new name in the Top Ten Employers rankings, making an impressive debut in fourth place. The life insurance company that specialises in products for high net worth and ultra high net worth clients has a 67-strong workforce of whom nearly three quarters are women and a similar proportion Bermudian.
Sun Life is part of an international group that has been around since 1865 and it has clearly learnt a thing or two about how to motivate employees.
Many staff described a positive culture at Sun Life, with an emphasis on teamwork, respect for all team members and the encouragement of personal and career development.
One employee said simply: “Sun Life International not only show they care about you, your development, and your work-life balance, but they also encourage you.”
Another said: “Great compensations and benefits. Great environment to work in. My manager is awesome.”
Benefits include an annual bonus, a percentage of salary based on personal and company performance, full healthcare coverage for staff and their dependents, and a yearly wellness benefit of $860 for external gym memberships and other wellness-related activities.
Employees are also offered paid sabbatical leave after each five years of service, “to give them a chance to to relax, recharge, and take part in any activities they weren’t able to take part in due to working for us” in the company’s words.
A hybrid, flexible working model allows employees to work from home when they need to, particularly valuable for working parents when their children are at home.
Sun Life gives two or three students a taste of life at their company each year, by participating in the Biltir Summer Internship Programme. Employees can also benefit from “speed mentoring” events and the company’s global mentoring programme.
Sun Life’s proactive support of local charities is exemplified by its Relay for Life team, the Sun Lifers, who won the award for top fundraising corporate team for the second successive year in 2023. On each occasion, they raised more than $45,000 — a staggering contribution to the cancer fundraising event.
WHAT THE EMPLOYEES HAD TO SAY …
“I am always busy and my immediate manager challenges me to be better.”
“They provide an array of educational opportunities, ensuring you’re enhancing yourself every step of the way.”
“I respect Sun Life for its fast and major initiatives in digital enterprise in response to Covid.”
