The Richards Group Named One of the 2024 Best Places to Work in Vermont!

The Richards Group was recently named one of Vermont's 2024 Best Places to Work for a 9th consecutive year. This award was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Workforce Research Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, workforce, and businesses.

“At TRG, our staff's happiness and well-being take center stage and our culture is revolves around flexibility, collaboration and support,” said Antonia Crawford, Human Resources Manager at The Richards Group. “As we celebrate our ninth consecutive year, I am moved not only by the honor, but the unwavering commitment this achievement represents as we uphold our status of being a Best Places to Work employer. We don't rely on past success or accomplishments; instead, we recognize that our environment is always evolving, and it is critical that we remain in synch, prepared to fine tune and improve each year to meet the needs and expectations of our staff, clients and communities we serve. I am proud of our continued success and grateful to our staff who inspire us to always be at our best.”

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits, Wealth Management, and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm currently has over 160 employees and 11 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness, and Human Resources consulting. TRG Investment Advisors, LLC dba TRG Retirement Plan Consultants is a Registered Investment Adviser.

Amy Burns Recognized with Safeco Award of Excellence

Safeco Insurance Award of Excellence 2023

October 2023 (Wilmington, VT) – Amy Burns, Personal Lines Senior Account Manager at The Richards Group in Wilmington, VT has earned the Safeco Insurance Award of Excellence for her superior underwriting skills and long-term commitment to Safeco® Insurance.

This prestigious award recognizes those individuals with excellent underwriting skills who have developed a solid underwriting partnership with Safeco and whose agencies have qualified for the Safeco Insurance Premier Partner Award, the company’s top recognition program. Agents who earn this designation will have the ability to make selected underwriting decisions, in addition to being recognized publicly as an Award of Excellence recipient.

Burns, a resident of Wilmington, joined The Richards Group in 2000. An Accredited Customer Service Representative (ACSR), Amy is highly qualified to meet the complex insurance challenges facing today’s consumer. She helps The Richards Group deliver customized insurance solutions from many of the country’s finest insurance companies at competitive prices.

“Amy’s expertise, skill and dedication have been a true asset to The Richards Group and our clients,” said Hayley Hill, Personal Lines Manager. “We’re honored to have Amy on our award-winning Personal Lines team.”

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2023 Vermont Worksite Wellness Award Winners Announced!

More than 100 businesses and organizations that employ Vermont workers have been selected to receive a 2023 Vermont Governor’s Award for Excellence in Worksite Wellness. Developed more than 20 years ago by the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and presented in partnership with the Vermont Department of Health, the annual awards provide an opportunity for the governor and health commissioner to thank businesses and organizations for their efforts to support Vermonters’ health and make Vermont a great place to live and work.

 


The Richards Group is proud to partner with so many organizations committed to supporting the health and well-being of their employees. One out of every four 2023 award recipients is a TRG client! As a company, we are also deeply committed to the well-being of our own employees and offer a generous, varied set of wellness benefits. Learn more about our workplace well-being consulting services here. Contact Directors of Wellbeing Lindsay Simpson lsimpson@therichardsgrp.com or Mari Walsh mwalsh@therichardsgrp.com.

 

Congratulations to all TRG clients who received a 2023 Vermont Worksite Wellness Award:

 

GOLD LEVEL

ARIS Solutions

Brattleboro Retreat

Chroma Technology Corp.

Community Care Network

Copley Hospital

Franklin County Home Health Agency

Grace Cottage Family Health & Hospital

King Arthur Baking Company, Inc.

Lamoille County Mental Health Services

Mascoma Bank

New Chapter, Inc.

North Star Health

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services

Senior Solutions

Springfield Hospital

The Richards Group

Town of Brattleboro

United Counseling Service

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region

Washington County Mental Health Services

 

SILVER LEVEL

Aspire Living & Learning, Inc.

Bread Loaf Corporation

Gifford Health Care, Inc.

Health Care & Rehabilitation Services of Southeastern Vermont

Norwich University

Vermont Law and Graduate School

Vermont Packinghouse LLC

 

BRONZE LEVEL

Brattleboro Food Co-op

DEW Construction

Vernon Advent Christian Home

The Richards Group Named One of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Vermont !

The Richards Group was recently named one of Vermont's Best Places to Work for an 8th consecutive year. This award was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group. This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, workforce, and businesses.

"Our strategy has always been to create a culture where all our employees feel empowered to reach their full potential in addition to having a strong sense of comradery and purpose” commented Antonia Crawford, Human Resources Manager at The Richards Group. “Over the past year we have focused on re-establishing connections and opportunities for togetherness. Be it virtual or in-person, our sense of community is valuable to us, and it has been immensely rewarding and great fun to develop new and creative ways to enjoy each other’s company as we emerge from the pandemic. Our people are our greatest asset and thanks to their hard work and dedication, we’re honored to be recognized once again as one of the Best Places to Work in Vermont.”

 The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits, Wealth Management, and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm currently has 165 employees and 12 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness, and Human Resources consulting. TRG Investment Advisors, LLC dba TRG Retirement Plan Consultants is a Registered Investment Adviser. For more inform

W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency to Join The Richards Group!

The Richards Group is pleased to announce that it has acquired the W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency of Manchester, Vermont. The partnership with The Richards Group will benefit clients by ensuring that decisions and service remain local for years to come, while expanding client services and resources. Shaw Insurance's staff will remain at their current office, located at 135 Bonnet Street, Manchester, Vermont.

 

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Andy and Craig and the talented staff employed by W. H. Shaw. The respect and admiration are mutual and the fit undeniable. We’re so pleased that Andy and Craig would put their trust in The Richards Group to carry on the legacy of what their families built, over the past 100 plus years” said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group. “We look forward to collaborating with each of them as we move forward and to serving their customers with the same care and professionalism they’ve come to deserve and expect.”

 

“A great deal of consideration was given to choosing the right buyer for our business, and we truly believe that The Richards Group is an excellent fit for our clients and employees. We could have looked at selling to some national-based organization,” commented Andy Shaw, President of W.H. Shaw Insurance. “But frankly, we felt more comfortable with The Richards Group. They are family-owned and Vermont-based, and both of those things are big for us.”

 

The Richards Group has made a strong commitment to communities in Bennington County over the past decade, with the acquisitions of Wills Insurance, Briggs, Fowler Insurance, and now the W.H. Shaw Insurance Agency.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts since 1867. In addition, TRG offers consulting services to help employers with Safety, Wellness, Human Resources and Fiduciary Stewardship. The firm has over 150 employees in 12 locations and has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 7 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.

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The Richards Group Announces Partnership with SmartConnect

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Innovative Medicare Enrollment Resource Helps Seniors Navigate Complexities of Medicare

The Richards Group is pleased to announce a partnership with SmartConnect, an innovative Medicare guidance, and enrollment resource. The service is now available for Medicare eligible adults throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.

 

SmartConnect is an exclusive program designed for Medicare eligible adults and their family members who may be working or retiring and may not have explored the benefits of Medicare coverage in its entirety. SmartConnect will provide The Richards Group’s clients with individual consultations to help them better understand what the world of Medicare has to offer, including Parts A, B, and Prescription Drug Plans, as well as Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans.

 

“What appealed to me most about SmartConnect was the ease of their process,” said Tom Scull, a Partner of The Richards Group. “Their Medicare guidance and comparison shopping is free and done on a one-on-one basis. That level of personalization and care made the decision to partner an easy one.”

After scheduling a phone appointment, a licensed SmartConnect agent will work with clients of The Richards Group to find potential savings and benefits that meet their needs. This new offering is available now and can be accessed by calling (833) 502-2747 TTY:711, Mon-Fri, 7:30 am-5:00 pm CT. Learn more online by visiting therichardsgrp.com/medicare.

“Medicare can seem confusing, especially for people who are used to employer coverage,” says Vanessa Henry, VP of SmartConnect. “The good news is that we make understanding Medicare easy, and help people uncover potential savings and additional benefits, all at no cost to the business or individual.”

About the Richards Group

The Richards Group has provided Insurance, Employee Benefits, and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout New Hampshire and Vermont since 1867.  The firm has over 150 employees in 12 locations and has earned recognition both for contributions to our local communities and as one of the best places to work in the region.  The Richards Group is committed to helping employers with workplace safety, employee retention, and wellness.  We recognize that while we help employers manage the cost and complexity of their insurance and employee benefits, we use our expertise, technology, and resources for the betterment of their workforce.  For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com/medicare.

 

About SmartConnect

SmartConnect is an exclusive program created specifically for Medicare eligible, working or retiring adults and their family members. HR professionals can refer employees to SmartConnect and rely on this program for clear, accurate information about Medicare options and benefits. SmartConnect’s team of licensed agents focus on the needs of employees by comparing their employer coverage to a variety of Medicare options to unlock potential benefits and savings, all as an extension of a company’s benefits offerings. Learn more about SmartConnect: www.startsmartconnect.com

Resources based on Supreme Court Decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

On Friday, the Supreme Court rendered a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, overturning Roe v. Wade and eliminating constitutional protection for abortion. In the wake of this ruling, 26 states are expected to ban all or nearly all abortions.

The Richards Group recognizes you may want to consider travel benefit options to help support your employees in obtaining care where access is limited regionally.

Please see the following links to obtain resources for your staff.

Congratulations Vermont Worksite Award Winners!

We are so proud of the many TRG clients who received 2022 Vermont Worksite Wellness Awards. These organizations have demonstrated the commitment and creativity needed to support the health and wellbeing of their employees.

Thank you to the Vermont Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and the Vermont Department of Health for hosting this recognition program.

Chroma Technology

Community Care Network

Franklin County Home Health Agency

Grace Cottage Hospital

King Arthur Baking

Lamoille County Mental Health Services

Mascoma Bank

Mt. Ascutney Hospital

New Chapter

Northwestern Counseling & Support Services

Springfield Hospital

The Richards Group

Town of Brattleboro

United Counseling Service

Vermont Precision Tools

Washington County Mental Health Services

Gifford Health Care

IVEK Corporation

Vermont Packinghouse

VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region

Aspire Living & Learning

Contact Lindsay or Mari to learn more about TRG’s Wellness Services.

TRG has been named one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Vermont for a 7th Consecutive Year!

The Richards Group was recently named one of the 2022 Best Places to Work in Vermont, an award created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize, and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, workforce, and businesses.

“As the pandemic continues to reshape our lives, prioritizing the health and well-being of our employees continues to be at the forefront of our success” commented Antonia Crawford, Human Resources Manager at The Richards Group. “Many of our employees have embraced the flexibility that comes with a remote and virtual workspace. As a result, we are nurturing a culture of appreciation that ensures each member of our staff feels valued and connected as part of a virtual community. There is a great comfort in knowing that our capability to offer a flexible work environment has eased the strain on staff and allowed them to thrive professionally and personally. It is truly our role as a Best Places to Work employer to support our staff and give them the space to do and be their best. Their hard work, passion and commitment to our customers has been unwavering. It is an honor to receive and share this recognition with the exceptional employees at TRG.” 

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits, Wealth Management and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867.  The firm currently has 150 employees and 13 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.  TRG Investment Advisors, LLC dba TRG Retirement Plan Consultants is a Registered Investment Adviser. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.  

Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance to Join The Richards Group

The Richards Group is pleased to announce that it has acquired Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance of Springfield, VT.  The partnership with The Richards Group will benefit clients by ensuring that decisions and service remain local for years to come, while expanding client services and resources.  Lawrence and Wheeler's staff will remain at their current office located at 46 Main Street in Springfield, Vermont. 

“It means a lot to us that Paul and Bob Kendall felt The Richards Group was the best fit to continue the excellent work that Lawrence and Wheeler has done over many decades,” said Drew Richards, Vice President of The Richards Group.  “Their roots run deep in Vermont with a strong family history, just like ours.  We’re excited to make this investment in the greater Springfield area and to continue to serve this community.” 

“We’ve collaborated with The Richards Group for years now, so when we considered what firm was best for our clients, employees and the community, we knew they were the right fit. The Richards Group is Vermont based and locally owned, and we have similar priorities and values,” commented Paul Kendall, President of Lawrence and Wheeler Insurance. “Our clients will benefit from the new insurance markets and technologies that The Richards Group will make available, along with their employee benefit and retirement plan consulting expertise.”

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867.  The firm has over 150 employees in 13 locations and has been named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 6 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.  The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting. 

OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) Summary and Resources

Friday, Nov. 5, 2021: OSHA published the COVID-19 vaccination emergency temporary standard (ETS) plus a list of FAQs and a webinar. Under this new rule, employers with 100 or more employees must require COVID-19 vaccinations among workers or accept proof of negative tests each week and require face coverings. Employers will be required to comply with most provisions of the ETS by Dec. 5, 2021, and the testing requirements by Jan. 5, 2022. Companies that fail to comply may be subject to significant fines. read more >

Lacey Burleson of The Richards Group earns Cyber Insurance Designation

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The Richards Group is pleased to announce that Lacey Burleson has earned the Cyber COPE Insurance Certification SM (CCIC) designation, which is awarded by Chubb and Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy. Co-created by Chubb and Carnegie Mellon in 2018, the program gives commercial agents, brokers, and wholesalers the opportunity to learn and become certified in industry best practices in cybersecurity risk management, governance, and operations, as well as the ability to create a well-crafted commercial cyber insurance program to help protect and support a client in the event of a cyber incident.

“With the ever-increasing rate of cybercrime, The Richards Group identified a need to provide our clients expert advice regarding this critical topic. Lacey was the perfect choice to pursue this education and designation”, said Sharon MacEachern, Commercial Lines & Claims Manager. “Lacey demonstrated a high level of dedication by successfully completing this rigorous program. We are excited to continue to expand our unique value-added services for our clients”.

The eight-month program consisted of multi-day virtual sessions, a series of interactive webcasts, and a capstone project. Participants engaged in sessions about: origins of computer science; cyber risk resilience; cyber governance and insurance solutions; privacy and data security law; diagnostics, assessment and measurement, including presenting about exposures and subsequent coverage; and more.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867. The firm currently has 140 employees and 12 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting. For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.

TRG has been named one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Vermont for a 6th consecutive year!

BPTW2021.jpg

The Richards Group was recently named one of the 2021 Best Places to Work in Vermont, an award created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state's economy, its workforce and businesses.

“2020 transformed what it means to be a Best Places to Work employer” commented Antonia Crawford, Human Resources Manager at The Richards Group. “Safety, support and fostering a virtual community were essential components to protecting the wellbeing of our staff. Most of our employees continue to work remotely, many are homeschooling and caring for loved ones while simultaneously managing a full workload. And yet, despite the immense adjustments, our employees continued to provide excellent service, donated their time by giving blood, volunteering, sewing masks, and providing invaluable support to colleagues in need. It is an honor to work alongside the exceptional employees at TRG and I am extremely proud of the character we showed this year; we truly are a work family”.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Employee Benefits and Retirement Plan solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867.  The firm currently has 140 employees and 12 locations in Vermont and New Hampshire and has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.  For more information about the firm and its capabilities, please visit www.therichardsgrp.com.  

Industry Tech Insights Recognizes The Richards Group as Top 10 Ranking Innovative HR Tech Providers.

"Interconnected, Analytical, And Collaboratively Creative". These capabilities have proven to be effective assets for TRG as well as our clients as we continue to navigate the ever-changing environment of the COVID 19 Pandemic. We are thrilled to have been recognized by Industry Tech Insights ranking among the 10 Most Innovative HR Tech Providers of 2020.

COVID-19 Business Response Plans Workshop (Recording)

COVID-19 Business Response Plans Workshop

COVID-19 Business Response Plans Workshop

Shannon Prescott, Program Coordinator of The Richards Group hosted a COVID-19 Business Response Plan workshop with the Greater Keene Chamber of Commerce on Friday, 10/9/2020.

This workshop outlined the basics of what employers should cover in COVID-19 response plans. Topics include employee safety practices, HR policies for reporting illness, and leave time. If you weren’t able to attend the live workshop, you can find a recording below.

Shannon Prescott provides COVID-19 safety training to area employers.

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Shannon Prescott, Program Coordinator of The Richards Group has been leading the way as safety measures continue to change during the unprecedented times that we are in. Shannon has not only been leading TRG in the reopening of the economy, but she has been guiding our customers and other businesses as we slowly approach what will be our new normal in the workplace.

For assistance with reopening your business, consider the free recording of this webinar: RE-OPENING YOUR BUSINESS - INSURANCE AND SAFETY CHECKLIST

For other pieces of training led by Shannon, please visit here for VOSHA and here for OSHA.

The Richards Group named Best Employee Benefits Firm

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The 2020 Best of Business Award winners have been announced by Vermont Business Magazine and The Richards Group has won as Best Employee Benefits Firm for the third consecutive year. This awards program celebrates the best Vermont companies in business-to-business categories.

“A big THANK YOU to our clients for selecting us again as Vermont’s Best Employee Benefits Firm,” said Tom Scull, Vice President of Employee Benefits at The Richards Group. “Our Employee Benefits Team deserves this shout out because we do not get this recognition without each and every one of you!  During these trying times of COVID-19, employee benefits have never been more important to companies.  We’re here on our client’s behalf, raising our own bar to go above and beyond with our team of experts to help our clients get through and grow stronger.  Congratulations to our team of employee benefits experts and thanks again for the third year running to our clients for the recognition.”

The Richards Group’s Employee Benefits and Human Resources practice employs a ‘360 Degree’ strategy that focuses on employee benefits in the broadest sense of the phrase. We provide unique attention designed to meet each individual client’s needs and understand the challenges that HR leaders balance between maintaining a healthy workforce and fiscal responsibility. To that end, we provide clients with plan design and budgeting strategies, wellness expertise, leadership and training, robust technologies and compliance insights. We take a holistic approach to ensuring you have a healthy, engaged and dynamic workforce.

The Richards Group, headquartered in Brattleboro, Vermont, has provided local Insurance, Retirement Plan and Employee Benefits solutions to clients throughout Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1867.  The firm has over 140 employees in 12 locations and was named one of the “Best Places to Work in Vermont” in each of the past 5 years by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce.  The Richards Group has expanded services to include Safety, Wellness and Human Resources consulting.