What’s it like to work at Blue Cross? An independent survey asked Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota employees, and the majority agreed:

• Blue Cross has a friendly environment
• Our people are strongly engaged in the work we do
• The organization helps to build skills that are in demand in the marketplace
• Employees intend to stay with Blue Cross
• As a company, Blue Cross “lives” our company values

Blue Cross is an Equal Opportunity employer

It’s our policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, handicap or veteran's status, or status within any other protected group. We take affirmative action to make sure all of our employment practices are free from discrimination including compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, layoffs, return from layoff, company-sponsored training, education, tuition reimbursement and social and recreational programs. Blue Cross prohibits retaliation against employees or applicants who exercise their legal rights under the law. And we investigate any report of retaliation against an employee or applicant who makes a complaint.

You’ll experience a commitment to diversity

Blue Cross celebrates diverse experiences and backgrounds. By introducing new and innovative people to the company, we incorporate different perspectives and skills and achieve our goal of offering the best products and services on the market. Diversity, whether about attributes or behaviors, will give us a competitive advantage and allow us to grow and be successful.

One way Blue Cross supports diversity is through its Diversity Council, made up of employee members who work to promote a fair and respectful work environment where employees can achieve their full potential. The Council promotes cultural and educational opportunities for employees and sponsors employee resource groups based on affinity or interest areas. Read our Diversity Mission Statement (PDF).

At Blue Cross, we support your good health

In fact, Blue Cross was named a “Best Employer for Healthy Lifestyles” for our efforts to promote and improve a healthier working environment for employees. This distinction comes from The National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing solutions to health care problems.

Blue Cross received the award for its many programs that raise awareness and increase employee health. Programs include:

• Discounts for working out at fitness centers
• Blue Balance, Blue Cross’ worksite wellness program offering activities, events and education designed to improve health
• Weight Watchers at work
• On-site fitness centers with personal trainers and fitness classes
• Running clubs and recreational sports teams
• Brown bag lunch seminars on a variety of health and wellness topics.

You’ll receive recognition and rewards for your contributions

We believe in rewarding our employees with competitive wages, excellent benefits and generous incentives. Whether you’re in sales, service or another area, there’s likely a program that rewards you for your good work. Here are a few examples of our incentive and recognition programs:

• Corporate incentive plan — available to many of our employees, the plan offers bonus opportunities from four percent up to 20 percent of pay, depending on your job. This plan rewards you for your part in the organization’s success.
• Service anniversaries — employees who are celebrating service anniversaries at five-year intervals receive awards from Blue Cross.
• Celebrate Excellence employee recognition program — employees recognize co-workers and staff for excellence at two levels: “Bravo,” a personal "thank you" for a job well done, and “Hero,” monthly or quarterly awards for exceptional work

As a nonprofit, we’re passionate about improving health

Blue Cross is a taxable, nonprofit organization with a mission to make a healthy difference in the lives of Minnesotans. Chartered in 1933 as Minnesota’s first health plan, we’ve promoted wider, more economical and timely availability of health services for the people of Minnesota for more than 70 years. The work we do aims to advance public health and promote the art and science of health care. Our key values are:

• Social responsibility
• Integrity
• Compassion
• Continuous learning
• Financial responsibility

We make significant investments in community health

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation

The Blue Cross Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations throughout Minnesota that advance its purpose “to look beyond health care today for ideas that create healthier communities tomorrow.”

Community Affairs

Through community affairs activities, Blue Cross promotes and demonstrates its values by fostering an environment of social responsibility. The main channels for carrying out the company’s commitment include sponsorships and statewide programs. Blue Cross also provides employees with a direct, personal opportunity to make a healthy difference in their communities.

In 2007, employees:

• Volunteered more than 15,400 hours through the Heart of Blue employee volunteer program
• Adopted 85 needy families through Armful of Love
• Donated 44 tons of food to food shelves, 100 gift baskets of bath and body products to residents of a women’s shelter, hundreds of baby and kids clothes for families in flood-affected areas of southeastern Minnesota, and 703 pints of blood
• Pledged $677,295 to support Minnesota’s health and community nonprofit sector

You’ll be supported in your volunteering and giving activities

Blue Cross offers several incentives to encourage employees to volunteer in the community.

• Heart of Blue Volunteer Council — employees on the Heart of Blue Volunteer Council work to increase employee participation in volunteer activities and to make a positive, visible impact on the health and wellbeing of our community
• Volunteer Paid Time Off — Blue Cross’ volunteer program, Heart of Blue, sponsors volunteer opportunities for employees and publishes additional volunteer opportunities that employees can pursue independently. The Volunteer Paid Time Off policy pays for up to 20 hours away from work per calendar year to participate in eligible volunteer activities.
• Dollars for Doers — the Blue Cross Foundation donates $250 to eligible nonprofit organizations where employees volunteer 40 or more hours of their personal time