Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Recognized as a Top West Michigan Employer for Excellence and Innovation

HASTINGS, MI--(Marketwired - Mar 27, 2014) -   Hastings Mutual Insurance Company, a regional Property Casualty insurance carrier serving six states and based in Hastings, Mich., is honored to be selected as one of West Michigan's 101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For by the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA) in 2014. This is the fourth consecutive year that Hastings Mutual has been recognized by the MBPA as a top West Michigan employer demonstrating innovative human resources strategies.

"Hastings Mutual is defined by the talent, dedication, and commitment of our employees," said Dana Walters, vice president of Human Resources at Hastings Mutual. "We are pleased to be acknowledged as a company that exceeds traditional human resources practices and to represent our community as an award-winning organization."

An independent research firm evaluates each company's entry based on key measures in various categories. These categories include Compensation, Benefits and Employee Solutions; Employee Enrichment, Engagement and Retention; Employee Education and Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance; and the Best of the Best Small Business.

The winning 101 companies will also compete for eleven elite awards, one in each evaluation category and an overall winner that has excelled in each category will receive the Best of the Best Overall award. The winners will be announced during the MBPA's awards luncheon taking place on Thursday, May 8 at the Pinnacle Center in the greater Grand Rapids area.

"The selection, recognition and awarding of this year's Best and Brightest companies allows our organization to showcase their best practices. The honorees have clearly demonstrated why each of them would be an ideal place for employees to work. The companies that we are recognizing this year are an example of exceptional human resource practices and represent high standards in today's economic climate," said Jennifer Kluge, MBPA president.

About Hastings Mutual Insurance Company

Hastings Mutual Insurance Company is an award-winning, A. M. Best: A (Excellent) rated, regional Property Casualty insurance company. Hastings Mutual operates in six the Midwestern states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The company, based in Hastings, Michigan, was founded in 1885. Hastings Mutual writes commercial, farm, and personal lines business through a network of independent insurance agents. For more information about Hastings Mutual visit the company website at www.hastingsmutual.com or find them on Facebook and Twitter.

About Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA)

Based in Warren, Mich., the Michigan Business & Professional Association (MBPA) is the largest business organization of small to medium-sized businesses in Michigan, representing more than 20,000 members who employ over 200,0000 persons. Members include attorneys, physicians, architects, accountants, construction companies, banks, retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers and the like. Member businesses receive numerous benefits including free legal and financial consultations; discounted technology, automotive and office products; employee training and recruitment assistance; and competitive insurance rates. The MBPA is a sister association to the Michigan Food & Beverage Association (MFBA) with more than 3,400 members. Visit them online at www.michbusiness.org or www.michfood.org.