Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter is the 35th largest supermarket in the U.S., employing over 21,000 associates with 192 retail stores in North and South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, Florida, and the District of Columbia.
Harris Teeter’s Human Resources department was burdened with a tedious paper-based employee benefits administration system. In an effort to improve efficiency and communications, the company selected Empowered Benefits to implement a highly-customized online benefit management solution.
As a decentralized business with 21,000+ employees spread across eight states, converting Harris Teeter’s benefits administration from a standard paper system to a new, unfamiliar online benefits enrollment solution seemed a daunting undertaking. Harris Teeter needed an affordable, reliable solution that would offer a seamless transition.
Harris Teeter had complex eligibility rules and specialized needs that required extensive customization. While Harris Teeter was familiar with several other providers, Empowered Benefits proved to be the clear choice, according to Terri Priore, Vice President of Benefits and HR Administration. After learning about Empowered Benefits’ tools and unique approach, no other companies were seriously considered.
Terri explained, “We were looking for a progressive partner that offered flexibility and dedication to addressing our specific objectives, as opposed to a cookie-cutter solution. Empowered Benefits’ ability to completely tailor a solution to our needs was highly appealing. After walking us through several demonstrations, it was evident Empowered Benefits provided the best solution as well as the best value.”
Empowered Benefits worked closely with Harris Teeter’s Benefits/HR team to identify and address each of their objectives and potential challenges. Empowered Benefits delivered benefits administration software that included all the custom features Harris Teeter requested. Terri noted, “Empowered Benefits worked with us as a true partner with a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude. From the start, the team was clearly dedicated to developing and delivering a solution that would best meet our unique needs.”
Terri is impressed with the ongoing customer service and personal attention Empowered Benefits offers. “They have a very bright team that operates with a high level of integrity. Empowered Benefits has consistently delivered on every commitment and continues to impress us.”
After much customizing, Harris Teeter’s new benefits administration (BenAdmin) system officially launched on April 1, 2009. The transition proved to be smooth and seamless for both the benefits administrators and employees. The vast amounts of paperwork have been eliminated, and employees appreciate the ease of use of the system and immediate access to their benefits information. Harris Teeter employees can now pull up their W-2 and paystub information at any time, and they can quickly and easily make simple updates, such as address changes.
The new Software as a Service (SaaS) HR solution has delivered tremendous and ongoing value for Harris Teeter, saving both time and money. Efficiency within the HR department has improved significantly. The enrollment paperwork has been eliminated. With convenient, one-login access to benefits information, communications have improved resulting in less time spent responding to employee questions. Additionally, Harris Teeter has seen a cost savings, as well as an environmental benefit, from eliminating the printing of many benefits-related materials.
