The 100 Best Companies to Work For
This is the year that separates true best companies from
pretenders. An economic contraction the country hasn’t seen since the Great
Depression has put pressure on all aspects of a business. Layoffs, pay freezes
and cuts, benefits pruning—all have been the norm during these turbulent times.
Many employees are simply thankful to have a job, and are less concerned with
health club memberships and other perks.
The JudgesRankings in the Best Companies to Work For were determined Al Lopus: President, Best Workplaces Institute John Hartman: Executive coach, Waldron & Co. Scott Ofstead: Vice president of human resources, Kibble Nita Petry: Area president, Washington state, Gallagher Scott Rabinowitz: Managing director, Seattle, DHR Josh Warborg: District president for Northwest operations, |
But there are standouts, as there always are. Some companies
realize that an investment in human capital can have a positive effect on the
bottom line. It can be something as simple as listening to the employees—that
is, management visiting each location, talking directly with the staff and
paying much more than lip service to what they say—or a comprehensive effort to
improve the health of the entire workforce. One company goes as far as to
publish its financials internally every month, so that all employees are given
the same picture of the firm’s health. Another funds an employee’s education,
whether or not it’s work related. Yet another issues each new employee a Nerf
gun for the occasional skirmishes that break out in the office.
These are the companies that have survived turbulent times
and managed to keep their employees happy. These are the Best Companies to Work
For.
Click below to see the lists:
- Large
Companies - Large
Companies Headquartered Outside Washington - Midsize
Companies - Small
Companies - Nonprofit
Organizations
Click below to read the stories:
- Hall of
Fame Winner - Large
Companies - Large
Companies Headquartered Outside Washington - Midsize
Companies - Small
Companies - Nonprofit
Organizations
(The small and midsize company lists have been updated to correct for an error in one company's size.)
Click here to see the photo gallery from our June 17 awards banquet.
Seattle Business Events & Awards
Business Calendar
- Stores and state liquor board get ready
- Multinational Skanska Places Bets on Seattle Real Estate
- Seattle Business honors the 2011 Green Washington Awards winners and announces the first Washington Green 50 list
- Alaska Airlines to power commercial flights with biofuel blend
- Physio-Control Ownership Changes Hands
Comments
non-profits
It would have been a better and more honest survey if former employees were surveyed. I mean the ones that left on good terms. One of your non-profits has a huge turnover rate…ever wonder why? Is it possible that logistically on paper they look great but why so many people left not one but several of their programs is disturbing? Why someone who had been there for 20 years left so quickly she didn’t even pack all her belongings? Just saying. I think it’s just as important to get the real reason why people leave a company AND not through their exit interview which could ruffle feathers if they were actually honest. There are so many toxic work environments out there and by stroking their egos by adding them to a list of 100 Best, you enable the behavior and good people get stuck choosing between a job to take care of their family and gossip, back stabbing, name calling, micro management etc. What a dis-service to Washington. The Survey needs to include current and former employees….maybe, (saying this very lightly) those who were terminated. Don’t you ever wonder what the REAL truth is? Washington is an “at will state” and people are afraid of that. Many fear being honest. I did.
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