By Eric J. Wallace
1345 Perimeter Pkwy., Virginia Beach | 757-222-3400 | Geico.com
Founded: 1936
Employees: More than 2,925. Includes employees who report to the Virginia Beach Regional Office and those working remotely
Not only is GEICO’s Virginia Beach Regional Office one of Coastal Virginia’s biggest employers; staffers say it’s one of the region’s best places to work.
“I’m surrounded by colleagues that are excited to be a part of this team,” says Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist Toiya Sosa. Going to work is easier and more enjoyable when a company leaves its employees feeling “well-compensated and appreciated. It’s a pleasure to work alongside folks that feel satisfied and know they have plenty of opportunity.”
Human Resources Director Beth Roberts agrees. She says the secret is GEICO’s commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance.
“As a company, our first operating principle is to respect, support and provide opportunity to all employees,” she explains. “If we keep that in focus when making decisions as an organization, it really helps us thrive and be successful.”
Those decisions include a broad range of employee perks and benefits. For instance, the office is equipped with social areas for relaxing and congregating over ping pong and foosball tables. Comprehensive wellness programs bring complimentary classes that teach beneficial mental habits like gratitude and mindfulness, engaging stress-reduction techniques like yoga and tai chi and fun-fueled exercise options like Zumba, Pilates and more. Special paid time off encourages employees to help with local charitable causes. Diversity is celebrated through events showcasing the cultural backgrounds and heritage of associates. Financially speaking, compensation and retirement plans are competitive. Promotions are typically made internally. Advancement opportunities are supported through tuition reimbursement, job-specific training programs and unique self-development options. The list goes on.
Combined, the factors have created an award-winning company culture. Recent accolades include national top-10 rankings from human resources market research firm Potential Park and the job-hunting website CollegeGrad.com. In 2017, the Virginia Beach office’s efforts to promote workplace diversity and support surrounding communities won it both a Hampton Roads Employer Inclusion and Diversity Initiative Award and a Hampton Roads Volunteer Achievement Award.
“It’s great to work for a company that treats its employees like people first and foremost and really values what each person brings to the table,” says Sosa. “That makes for a super positive work environment. That makes our associates—myself included—want to give more than 100 percent.”
Work Perks
- Paid time off to participate in company-sponsored community service projects and assist at fun-fueled marketing ops including music festivals, state and county fairs and more
- Lakeside picnic area
- Frequent celebratory events, including veterans’ appreciation programs, high school career days, Founder’s Day, talent shows, picnics and barbecues, family days, book fairs, holiday parties and an annual GEICO Pride Day
- Employee Wellness Fairs and complimentary diet, mindfulness and exercise programs
- Virtually unlimited opportunity for advancement
- Chances to temp at other offices throughout the U.S.
- Annual Service Awards commending employee milestones and achievements
- Company-sponsored athletics including frequent golf tournaments and soccer, softball and basketball leagues
Why I Love My Job
“At GEICO, our associates take care of each other and believe in taking care of—and giving back to—the communities where we live and work. Employees have the opportunity to use paid time off to volunteer for charitable events. Through the GEICO Corporate Community Citizens program, our associates participate in walks, fundraisers and other community service opportunities benefitting a variety of national causes and local charities. We support groups such as the United Way, United Service Organizations, Armed Services YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society and many others.” —Toiya Sosa, Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist, 20 years with GEICO
