Fortune: Annual 100 Best Companies to Work For

posted by Kristin Case  |  Jan 26, 2010 12:39 PM [EST]  |  applies to Illinois

Fortune just published its annual 100 Best Companies to Work for.  Reading this article is a breath of fresh air in the midst of layoffs and the callous elimination of severance, pension and health benefits that we are seeing.  There is one thing stands out that seem to make almost all of these companies great places to work:  they make their employees feel valued.  

For instance, SAS, the top rated company, provides high-quality child care at only $410 a month, 90% coverage of the health insurance premium, unlimited sick days, a medical center staffed by four physicians and 10 nurse practitioners (at no cost to employees), a free 66,000-square-foot fitness center and natatorium, a lending library, and a summer camp for children. The company’s founder is quoted as saying the foundation of his business is "trust between our employees and the company.”  How often do you hear that?  Hardly ever. 

Far too many employer operate from an immediate suspicion and distrust of their employees.  And, in the era of company’s hacking away at employee benefits supposedly to “save money,” it is worth noting that SAS remains highly profitable and ranks as the world’s largest privately owned software company. Turnover is the industry’s lowest at 2%.  Google, the 4th best employer, allows its employees to devote 20% of their time to the project of their choosing, thereby instilling an unusual level of trust in their employees.  And Starbucks, who is number 93 on the list, provides part-time employees with health benefits. I have always believed that maintaining loyal employees and eliminating turnover is the best economic decision a company could make.  Imagine if all employers could be like these 100…

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