Educational groups like local schools and higher education institutions deserve benefits solutions as unique as they are. We'll partner with you to design customized benefit packages for educational groups, because we’re dedicated to supporting local schools through our community service efforts.
The Needs of Today’s School Employees
According to a 2024 study, twice as many teachers reported experiencing burnout compared with other working adults. Three times as many teachers reported having difficulty coping with job related stress.1 The American Federation of Teacher’s (AFT) Beyond Burnout report from 2023 highlights the need for both individual and systemic solutions to improve well-being and enable educators to do their best work.2
At The Hartford, we believe those solutions can come from choosing the right benefits and insurance carrier to meet the needs of employees who work in education.
The Hartford Experience: Benefits Tailored to Teachers
A key element to maintaining well-being for any employee is a benefits package that works for them.
“The education industry has unique benefit needs,” says Michelle Anthony, public and education sector market lead for Employee Benefits at The Hartford. “It’s critical for insurers to not only accommodate the school system’s unique billing cycles, but also for frontline claims personnel to understand the specific needs of teachers.”
Schools that contract with The Hartford have access to our core products, with the addition of several extra advantages to meet their specific needs, including:
- Regional and state-specific contract language
- Plan design and payroll cycle match
- Flexible leave of absence and sabbatical provisions
- Flexible definition of earnings
- Customizable definitions of eligibility to match educators’ work schedules
Examples of accommodations include:
- State Teacher Retirement Systems
- Sick leave bank programs
- Collective bargaining agreements
Supporting Educators Beyond Benefits
We’re committed to supporting educators beyond the insurance policy. Each year, the company’s employees actively participate in various community service activities, including collections for school supplies and backpack drives, reading and math tutoring, and mentorship programs. These initiatives are designed to provide essential resources and support to school employees and students, ensuring they have the tools and guidance to be successful.
In addition to these annual activities, we have a long-standing history of supporting education and school-age children in Hartford, Connecticut, and across the country, such as:
- Supporting educators with free fire-safety prevention education. We help keep children safe through our Junior Fire Marshal Program. Since its inception, 112 million students have earned the title of Junior Fire Marshal.
- Serving as a major funder to Grace Academy and Covenant Preparatory Schools, two tuition-free schools in Hartford, Connecticut.
- Sponsoring college scholarships for Hartford high school students through Hartford Promise.
"At The Hartford, we recognize that our customers are individuals with diverse needs beyond insurance," says Anthony. "Our commitment to flexible accommodations for educators and our unwavering dedication to the communities we serve reflect our deep understanding and responsiveness to the needs of this industry.”
To learn more about employee benefits for school employees, contact your local representative at The Hartford today.
