Highway Transport Encourages Others to Think Outside the Standard Benefits Box

Raegan Grooms is a benefits and LOA specialist at Highway Transport in Knoxville and is immersed in the benefits offered to employees. The company provides bulk transportation of specialty chemicals and boasts a 500-plus truck tanker fleet that operates from 20-plus service centers in major chemical manufacturing areas across the United States. With more than 730 employees and roughly 60% professional drivers, her team understands the importance of thinking outside the benefits box to serve their employees well. 

“I think the reason we prioritize an expanded set of benefits is rooted in support,” Grooms said. “It’s important that Highway Transport finds unique ways to reward employees for the work they do and offer benefits that can be used by the families of employees as well. Drivers are often away from home, so family benefits are especially important.” 

Highway Transport has put tangible resources toward that employee support philosophy by more than doubling its human resources team in the past two years. Raegan has a great perspective and some useful insight for ways to boost benefits and their impact on bottom line business metrics. 

Benefits of boosting benefits   

• Employees can learn about benefits the company offers through a benefit guide that is updated annually. “We ask for employee photos to include in the design of the guide – them with their trucks, snapshots with other employes and more – and we use those in the guide. It shows them they’re valued.” 
  
• Highway Transport works with a wellness program vendor, and pushes out programs internally under the name, Highway to Health, offering incentivized activity programs, monthly and quarterly competitions. Prizes include portable heated lunchboxes, ninja blenders, cash and gift cards. 
  
• Programs are communicated through newsletters, such as the monthly Filling the Tank newsletter. 
  
• Some benefit vendors offer opt ins, such as healthy tips and tricks, which can be sent directly to employee mobile phones via text.
  
• One vendor offers employee discounts for entertainment, travel and shopping and is offered free to Highway Transport employees. Searchable by city, the app covers discounts across a spectrum from movie tickets to sport events to car rental discounts.  

• Highway has a partner that offers Medicare planning to employees and anyone in their household. This includes education and follow-up on questions and concerns. It’s a distinctive offering to help those approaching retirement age. 
  
• The company offers accident insurance for accidents that happen outside of work – another perk is that it includes a $50 benefit for those who get annual health screenings, which helps offset premium costs. 
  
• Employee assistance programs are more common – but so important – and are offered free to employees and families. From a crisis hotline to help finding childcare and movers – it’s more than mental health. Counseling services, referrals, legal and financial services across the country can be found with one vendor – beneficial for mobile employees. 
  
• Expanded benefits can be a recruiting and retention tool – something to catch a potential employee’s eye.  
  
• The perks to the employees outweigh the cost of the benefits, as evidenced by feedback from employee surveys with specific benefit questions. “We ask what they’re looking for, what would help them stay longer, what benefits they utilize, and we review that data and make decisions based on that. Some benefits are affordable and really mean a lot to employees.” 
  
• “Look around for the right program – sometimes you pay for benefits based on utilization, some are based on the number of employees – that can help you find the fit you need.” 
  
• “Listen to your employees. See what’s beneficial. Request feedback in a tangible way. Give them access to the benefit team – my direct number is listed on the benefit guide. Employees have great ideas.”

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Raegan Grooms, Benefits and LOA Specialist | Highway Transport