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.
Comments
Boy did you get Expedia wrong
I've just watch my spouse's health get destroyed by Expedia. Their workload was beyond ridiculous, there was no empathy for work life balance and any training offered was meant to be accomplished on personal time, which was non-existent because of the workload. When the management was approached for help they 'downsized' my spouse within the month. This was someone who had been there 4 years with a merit bonus every review.
Expedia are moving to a model where the trench workers are disposable. Their turn-over is now very high with people leaving the company due to stress AND not having another job to go to; they're just leaving. The funny thing is that they are offering FTE jobs to contractors who are turning them down as they recognize how bad the environment is!
They have a management structure that appears to based in consensus, which any green business student knows doesn't work. The management also appears to work on a perception basis rather than a production basis. i.e. If you come in and hang out for 16 hours in the day, make sure you're seen and achieve 20% of your goals, management look at you more favorably than if you work a solid 9-10 hours a day and actually accomplish 90% of your goals. Of course achieving your goals is difficult as the consensus model just results in huge scope creep, which you will get blamed for.
This year they appear to have increased benefits to employees, yet they are still missing the moral issue. HELLO! If you want to keep your employees treat them with respect and respect the work/life balance.
Bottom-line is: calling Expedia one of the top 5 companies in 2010 to work for is at best laughable and just pulls Seattle Business Magazines measurement instrument into question. Just go read some of the reviews at www.glassdoor.com.
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