Making the World Better One Workplace at a Time

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.

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