There are few things in life that have a greater impact on our
well being than the places in which we work. In this issue we celebrate those
companies that have created great workplaces. We’re not talking about
organizations that offer special treats like free massages, although such
amenities are certainly nice to have. What employees cite most frequently when
evaluating their companies are characteristics that don’t cost a dime: respect,
a family atmosphere and managers who inspire them to do their best.
Being a “Best Company to Work For” is not just about being nice.
It’s about being smart. Given the right environment, people will work very hard
for very little pay. Consider entrepreneurs. Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman recently
told a roomful of entrepreneurs not to complain about their long work hours but
to consider it an opportunity to make an impact. “If you don’t like it, you can
quit,” he advised. “But if you are going to stay… Do something big.” There is a
certain breed of reporter who thrives on covering war and there are climbers
who aren’t content unless they are scaling the impossible peak.
What do these people and their extreme work habits have to
do with the rest of us? Plenty, it turns out. Tap into your passion and you are
liable to discover reserves of energy you never knew you had. Organizations,
too, can benefit if they can find a way to harness the passions of their
employees.
But it is a delicate task that requires a great deal of
attention and care. The worst managers compel their employees to work long
hours through fear and intimidation. They are bullies that spread misery,
suppress initiative and incite dishonesty. They create the hell on earth that
inspires comic strips like “Dilbert” and TV shows like “The Office.”
By contrast, the companies in our top 100 Best Companies to
Work For list are companies that have built healthy workplace cultures. These
companies let employees know what is expected of them, evaluate them fairly and
allow them to live a well-balanced life. Consequently, they tend to see lower
turnover and a higher level of customer satisfaction. This in turn helps
improve the bottom line. But the glow of the healthy workplace also has a way
of radiating outward to improve the health and stability of employees’ homes
and communities.
Although we score companies based on surveys sent to
thousands of employees, we realize that each company faces a different
challenge. A high-tech startup will have a much different environment and
workforce than a nonprofit medical clinic. Our goal is to encourage all
companies to continuously improve their workplaces. And for their efforts,
every company that participated in the competition should be proud.