NewsStories Of Opportunity: Total Employee Owner Well-being

This article was originally published on March 7, 2025, as part of the full release of the 2024 Stories Of Opportunity. The Stories Of Opportunity is VGM Group’s annual report, showcasing the successes of VGM and its employee owners.  

At VGM, the well-being of employee owners is of the utmost importance—because VGM is its employee owners. There are six overall aspects of well-being VGM has identified: physical, emotional, financial, social, environmental, and developmental. Throughout 2024, VGM worked towards providing as many opportunities as possible for employee owners to assist in one or more of these categories. 

Wellness Coordinator

In March 2024, VGM hired Cara Hintz as our Wellness Coordinator. Cara’s role at VGM involves handling corporate wellness initiatives, along with building relationships with employee owners to help them meet their holistic well-being goals. Through her Power Of One Well-being Series and Well-being Wednesday social posts, Cara promotes opportunities for employee owners to learn and take charge of their physical and emotional well-being.

Mental Health Visits

VGM’s zero co-pay benefit for mental health visits is a meaningful offering that helps to remove barriers to accessing quality mental health care. By eliminating the financial burden, employees can seek the support they need without worrying about the cost. This benefit reflects VGM’s commitment to the well-being of its employees, ensuring that everyone has access to essential mental health services. It’s a significant step toward fostering a healthier, more supportive work environment.

Earned Wage Access

In July 2024, VGM introduced the Earned Wage Access benefit through a partnership with Payactiv. All hourly VGM employees can access 50% of wages earned up to $500 before payday at any time and have it instantly transferred to their bank, checking account, or Payactiv Visa card. This benefit provides financial freedom to cover life’s unexpected expenses. Popped tires, hospital emergencies, sudden fees, or even a last-minute birthday gift—no matter what it’s needed for, the money is there for employees to access when they need it most. 

Leadership Summit

VGM Group’s Leadership Summit is a biennial event for current and aspiring leaders from across the company. It is VGM’s largest investment in the professional and personal development of employee owners. Over the course of two days, attendees engaged in thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and motivational presentations. The summit provides a platform for employee owners to exchange ideas, share their experiences, and learn from one another. 

Early Retirement

VGM is proud to offer early retirement to our employee owners, with an option to retire as early as 55! This work perk gives employee owners an easier transition to the next chapter of their lives with a step-by-step process of what to expect with retirement. Read about VGM’s retirement options in detail at vgmgroup.com/retirement.

Health & Safety Committee

Developed in January 2024, the Health & Safety Committee actively engages frontline employees in the promotion and maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment. The committee helps identify and mitigate hazards, ensure compliance with processes and policies, and engage and educate employee owners regarding health and safety.

Employee Engagement Events

As with every year, 2024 was no different in offering ample opportunities for employee owners to get together to Find The Fun In Their Day. From hockey and baseball games to trivia nights to holiday parties and everything in between. But we also take time to recognize the great work employee owners do for VGM and Cheer Each Other On with events such as the VGM Awards and The Reveal.

To read the 2024 Stories Of Opportunity in full, click here.