Workplace

100 Best Companies to Work For 2017

The list every business wants to be on.

By TERESA KENNEY AND JOHN LEVESQUE June 20, 2017

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This article originally appeared in the July 2017 issue of Seattle Magazine.

Who wouldnt want to work for the best of the best, the top of the heap, the cream of the crop? (Ok, you get the idea.) Thats why we do the research and list the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Washington.

We rate companies on the basis of confidential employee surveys weighted against the level of employee participation. If a company has high scores in each of our categories but only a small percentage of their employees responded, it wont do as well as a company that scored well and had a higher rate of participation.

The research firm Fieldwork Webwork conducts the surveys and ranks the responses across 10 categories: benefits, communication, corporate culture, hiring/retention, executive leadership, performance standards, responsibility/decision making, rewards/recognition, training/education and workplace environment.

Congratulations to this years 100 Best Companies to Work For!

SMALL COMPANIES: 15 to 59 employees

Rankings are based on scores derived from confidential employee surveys. Quotes are actual comments given anonymously by employees.

1/ Prime Team Partners
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 15
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The personal ethics of founder and principal Darren Hogben resonate throughout this recruiting agency. One staffer notes: Our owner has more integrity than anyone I have ever worked with.

2/ Parker Staffing Services
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYES: 17
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The company match on 401(k) contributions doubled from 4% to 8% at this recruitment firm, where an amazing corporate culture … encourages employees to be their true and authentic selves.

3/ Tangelo Health
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 31
—-
Cofounders Michael Bourbonnais and Sean Masters exude positivity. A rigorous hiring process ensures that Tangelo employees are just as upbeat something that patients of the sports medicine/chiropractic clinic appreciate.

4/ Schlemlein Goetz Fick & Scruggs PLLC
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 25
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Like many 100 Best Companies, this law firm pays 100 percent of employees health insurance premiums. Amenities such as a fully equipped gym mean the office never feels like an office.

5/ Sweeney Conrad
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 50
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The accounting firm recently initiated half-day Fridays during the non-peak season. Employees still get paid for a full-days work. The firm provides catered lunches during the busy tax season.

6/ Board & Vellum
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 23
—-
Employees at the architecture firm have the same title regardless of experience. The level of respect for each other, says one staffer, … is unlike anywhere I have ever worked.

7/ Sustainable Interiors
LOCATION: Fife
EMPLOYEES: 32
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No one on the team has an attitude of thats not my job. Instead, the mentality is always, Oh, you need help. Everyone is willing to jump in and make it work.

8/ Mighty AI
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 33
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According to one employee of the machine-learning startup formerly known as Spare5, Mighty AIs demanding hiring process fosters a close-knit, ambitious and accountable culture.

9/ Bizible
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 53
—-
This maker of marketing-performance software gets high marks for the leadership of cofounders Aaron Bird, Andy Turman and Peter Thompson and for an environment that encourages independent thinking.

10/ Adler Giersch
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 18
—-
One employee says: So many law firms have a dividing line between money makers and support staff. At Adler Giersch, we are all important. Investment in the firm goes across the board.

11/ Carlisle Classic Homes
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 27
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People clearly enjoy working for this home builder/remodeler. Our CEO Rob [Carlisle], hes an amazing guy, an employee asserts. I want to be like him when I grow up.

12/ Pacific Alaska Tours
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 16
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The Seattle affiliate of Alaska Coach Tours offers charters throughout the region. Our management strategy is highly team based, says a staff member. … No one is left in the dark.

13/ Volt Athletics
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 17
—-
The sports-performance planner provides training plans for every employee. Says one: Its not every day you can talk about how much you can squat … and not have it be weird!

14/ Total Merchant Concepts
LOCATION: Vancouver
EMPLOYEES: 17
—-
Dean and Cheri Perry, cofounders of this credit/debit-card-processing firm, earn high praise for providing an energetic, encouraging and exciting environment that engenders mutual respect and communication.

15/ Evergreen Beauty College
Location: Everett
EMPLOYEES: 41
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Our culture is hands down the best because of the Trieu familys leadership, says an employee of the nationally accredited cosmetology school, which operates campuses in Everett, Bellevue and Renton.

16/ Total Benefit Solutions
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 18
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Workers at this insurance brokerage often cite the firms Work Hard, Play Hard mantra. As one staffer puts it: This core value rewards our hard work with memorable celebrations.

17/ Peoples Injury Network Northwest
LOCATION: Kent
EMPLOYEES: 56
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With five locations, this physical therapy clinics staff has full support to go above and beyond and not just offer clients basic support. We are able to treat them as family.

18/ FLEXE Inc.
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 28
—-
The clearinghouse for warehouse space has smart, accomplished people who are all nice, is becoming a big, meaningful company and offers opportunities for everyone to learn what they want to learn.

19/ Parker Remick Inc.
LOCATION: Bellingham
EMPLOYEES: 23
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At this executive-search firm, respect, accountability and fun count for a lot. Harriet the office dog gets much love, too, along with the passion to deliver unparalleled client service.

20/ Full Beaker Inc.
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 22
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Full Beaker provides websites that help people through complex decisions. It provides employees freedom to try things and move on if they don’t work or double down if they do.

21/ Classifiedads.com
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 15
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Internet entrepreneur Edward Yim is CEO of this advertising website and of the preceding company on the list, Full Beaker. He gets credit from employees for welcoming new ideas.

22/ CardTapp
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 42
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The creator of the mobile business card has a culture committee that organizes events to bring everyone together and have fun. A dog-friendly office and free gym access also rate.

23/ Ookla
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 40
—-
Eighty percent of the worlds internet service providers use Ookla technology to measure performance. Taking the measure of their employer, Ookla staffers value our product and value each other.

24/ Goldberg Jones
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 17
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Focusing on mens divorce cases, the law firm has offices in Seattle, Portland and San Diego. Cofounder Rick Jones says it represents husbands and fathers aggressively and smartly.

25/ Bonanza
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 34
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Besides generous stock options, “Work from Home Wednesdays,” and monthly massages, Bonanza prides itself on creating a “culture of listening, both to our customers and to everyone within the company.

26/ Level 11
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 54
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The software development firm takes its name from the film This Is Spinal Tap: Youre on 10 on your guitar. … Where can you go from there? Where? You put it at 11. Exactly. One louder.

27/ Evia
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 32
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Formerly Tri-Digital Inc., this media services provider for corporate events owes much to its president, Hilary Laney, who wins praise for trying to make this office special and different.

28/ Versium
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 21
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Versium helps clients increase marketing effectiveness by predicting customer behavior. It helps its employees save money by being situated at a shopping mall, with plenty of free parking.

29/ Wheelhouse DMG
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 20
—-
Having worked at other firms, says a staffer at the digital marketing agency, I sometimes feel people dont realize how good we have it in terms of benefits, perks, work hours, etc.

30/ Panopto
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 35
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Demo Fridays, when we get together to drink beer and show off the cool things weve been working on, make a definite impact at this provider of video-management software.

31/ Rice Fergus Miller
LOCATION: Bremerton
EMPLOYEES: 47
—-
Among architecture/design firms, Ricer Fergus Miller stands out. Over and over again, we hear from potential employees that there is nothing out there like RFM, says a proud staffer.

32/ Pacific Lifestyle Homes
LOCATION: Vancouver
EMPLOYEES: 45
—-
The home builders core values encompass accountability, candor, humility, integrity, respect and teamwork. One staffer adds that the company truly cares about its employees and is grateful for them.

33/ Echodyne Corporation
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 33
—-
From Im allowed to wear Rollerblades to dogs, Kegerator and ping pong to high standards without high pressure, the maker of metamaterials-based radar products wins consistent acclaim.

34/ Altriva Solutions
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 16
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Employees for the business management consultant cite the companys ability to foster a noteworthy balance between heads-down serious hard work and social conversation and fun.

35/ Icertis
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 36
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The provider of contract management software preaches the principle of FORTE: fairness, openness, respect, teamwork, execution. Daily team lunches encourage best-practice sharing.

MIDSIZE COMPANIES, 60 to 149 employees

Rankings are based on scores derived from confidential employee surveys. Quotes are actual comments given anonymously by employees.

1/ Outreach
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 85
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At this maker of sales engagement software, everyone is driven and willing to dive in, help and contribute. There is no passing the buck or finger pointing.

2/ OAC Services Inc.
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 64
—-
On day one, a staff member of the construction management firm recalls, I was told we have a no jerks policy. This is a great place to work.

3/ American IncomeAltig
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 102
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As the largest distribution system for American Income Life Insurance, Altig rises on the incredible leadership of Chairman Rick Altig Jr. and CEO Ilija Orlovic

4/ ZipWhip
Location: Seattle
Employees: 92
—-
Employees at this texting-software company can bring their dogs to the office. And thats not all. Gourmet-lunch Fridays and an awesome and welcoming culture garner high marks.

5/ Olympia Federal Savings
Location: Olympia
Employees: 110
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Founded in 1906, this financial institution now operates eight branches in Thurston and Mason counties with a steadfast commitment to the communities it serves.

6/ Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence
Location: Seattle
Employees: 67
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A former University of Washington professor, Etzioni has built a culture that combines the best of startups and academia, emphasizing goals, growth, openness and continued education.

7/ Pacific Capital Resource Group
Location: Bellevue
Employees: 73
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At this financial services and business planning firm, one associate lauds the bravery of our leadership and the unbridled loyalty of our employees.

8/ Logic20/20
Location: Seattle
Employees: 100
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According to a staffer, the business management consulting firm promotes a culture of we, where every single person is valued and recognized as a contributor.

9/ L4 Digital
Location: Seattle
Employees: 83
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The digital product agency, now part of San Francisco-based Globant, boasts workers who are inspiring, passionate, reliable, flexible, brilliant and patient.

10/ Chef Software
Location: Seattle
Employees: 105
—-
This IT management software provider wins praise for fostering a corporate culture that respects diversity and forces you to think, grow, study and develop yourself.

11/ Whitepages
Location: Seattle
Employees:100
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Free snacks and lunches are great, but sincere and open communication at all levels of the company register big at the national clearinghouse of contact information.

12/ Pillar Properties
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 69
—-
The goal of this developer and owner of upscale apartment buildings is to create quietly awesome experiences for its tenants. Employees say the workplace vibe is similar.

13/ PRR Inc.
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 78
—-
Employees at the public relations and marketing firm appreciate its commitment to the triple bottom line to do good, have fun and make money.

14/ Axon
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 105
—-
Axon’s focus is on doing things differently. Theres not an area where the executive sits that is quarantined off. No one has offices. It allows for a lot of free thinking and talking on the go, and allows people to collaborate in a way that is action oriented.

15/ RealSelf
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 144
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The online community that shares information about elective cosmetic procedures keeps growing and keeps celebrating people who like to try new things.

16/ Verity Credit Union
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 126
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Founded in 1933, the credit union supports 712-hour workdays for its staff members and emphasizes its longstanding commitment to the local business community.

17/ Qumulo
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 116
—-
The builder of software for storing, managing, retrieving and curating data boasts an executive team that consistently hires people with passion and integrity.

18/ Hanson Consulting Group
LOCATION: Kirkland
EMPLOYEES: 75
—-
Amy Hanson, founder and CEO of the management consulting firm, created an open and transparent environment where everyone supports each other in a collaborative manner.

19/ Bader Martin
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 81
—-
The public accounting and business advisory firm offers flexible work weeks and a collegial atmosphere not normally associated with the CPA industry.

20/ Brighton Jones
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 61
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I feel like Im working with friends and extended family, says one associate of the wealth management and financial planning firm. Awesome people, says another.

21/ AIM Consulting
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 90
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One associate of the consulting firm says AIM perfectly blends the excitement and agility of a startup with the processes and infrastructure of a larger enterprise.

22/ RedCloud Consulting
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 75
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The leaders of this consulting firm are very clear about what we are and are not and committed to supporting a good blend of people working on whats important.

23/ The Spur Group
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 86
—-
The work we do is focused and rigorous, says a member of the consulting firm, but the people are playful and fun.

24/ Caiman Consulting
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 65
—-
The consulting firms annual meetings, always held in a tropical place like Hawaii or Mexico, serve to inspire and motivate, in the words of one staffer.

25/ Lee & Hayes
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 108
—-
According to one associate, this law firm focuses on making sure the environment is the best it can be and lauds those who work hard to improve the business.

26/ FlowPlay
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 60
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Employees at this easygoing maker of social games get to work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays and enjoy catered lunches at the office on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

27/ Convoy
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 79
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Convoy, which connects shippers with available truckers, revels in a culture of being scrappy, according to one staffer. We dont let process get in the way, unless it helps.

28/ Artefact
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 60
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Working at the industrial design, says one associate, feels like meeting up with a group of friends and working on a passion project every day.

29/ Remitly
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 102
—-
The digital money-transfer services CEO, Matt Oppenheimer, and his leadership team earn high marks for encouraging employees to take ownership in the company.

30/ Prime 8 Consulting
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 120
—-
Our top-notch directors create a culture of inclusivity, knowledge and expertise and lighthearted fun, says one member of the management consulting firm.

LARGE COMPANIES, 150 or more employees

Rankings are based on scores derived from confidential employee surveys. Quotes are actual comments given anonymously by employees.

1/ Evergreen Home Loans
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 467
—-
Evergreen does business in seven western states. Its president, Don Burton, is revered by employees. One calls him the most committed leader in the mortgage industry.

2/ Absolute Mortgage
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 165
—-
The provider of home loans has a leadership group that moved one employee to say: They walk the walk and talk the talk and it makes all the difference.

3/ Zillow Group
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 1,191
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The online real estate database company is health conscious. It offers gym-membership reimbursement, Fitbits for all staffers on their first day, standing desks and treadmill desks.

4/ PayScale
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 296
—-
From unlimited personal time-off, to Fido Fridays, to team-sponsored happy hours – Payscale truly believes in flexibility and trusting its employees.

5/ Inrix
LOCATION: Kirkland
EMPLOYEES: 155
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Inrix provides real-time traffic information globally. Closer to home, it has a water-ski boat docked two blocks from the office that employees can take out anytime.

6/ Bridge Partners
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 190
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Says one member of the consulting firm: You believe you are wanted and needed in the company. Eighty percent of its consultants have at least eight years experience.

7/ Rover.com
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 185
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For dog lovers, this pet services provider is heaven. All the puppies can make your day better, an employee vows. Just play with one and all the stress is gone!

8/ Nintex
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 156
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Heres one review of the workflow automation software firm: If you took away the weekly free food, cocktails, ever-present beer … and snacks, Id still think its a great place to work.

9/ Pushpay
LOCATION: Redmond
EMPLOYEES: 247
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Pushpay is extremely purpose driven. People here are very aligned. We believe that a healthy organization is one with a lot of clarity,” says a member of the team.

10/ Prime Electric
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 400
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The fast-growing electrical contractor it bought a Bay Area company last year prides itself on unparalleled customer service. Employees are fond of very generous bonuses and profit sharing.

11/ Yesler
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 195
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This marketing agency is on the move. One employee says, I had offers from Amazon, T-Mobile and Microsoft and I chose Yesler because of the culture and the people.

12/ Bensussen Deutsch & Associates (BDA)
LOCATION: Woodinville
EMPLOYEES: 270
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If you own a bobblehead doll, chances are good that it came from BDA. Workers love this marketing and branded merchandise agency for its dynamic work environment.

13/ Valley Electric
LOCATION: Everett
EMPLOYEES: 398
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The full-service electrical contractor offers its employees unlimited vacation and paid volunteer time. It opened a second office in Seattle to ease commute times for some workers.

14/ Baker Boyer
LOCATION: Walla Walla
EMPLOYEES: 181
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Founded in 1869, the banking and financial services company makes it easy [for employees] by making smart decisions and consistently moving forward in the clients best interest.

15/ DiscoverOrg
LOCATION: Vancouver
EMPLOYEES: 315
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This maker of sales and marketing intelligence software operates in a judgment-free zone [where] you can speak your mind [and] be free to be who you are.

16/ DataSphere Technologies
LOCATION: Bellevue
EMPLOYEES: 205
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The internet marketing consultant boasts a workplace environment in which everybody is easily accessible, no executive is out of reach, including the CEO [Satbir Khanuja].

17/ Mutual of Enumclaw Insurance Company
LOCATION: Enumclaw
EMPLOYEES: 365
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While continuing to grow as a major employer in King County, the insurance company manages to foster a small-business feeling, says one employee.

18/ Columbia Hospitality
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 450
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For management and staff of this fast-growing hotel-management and hospitality-consulting firm, the popular abbreviation OMG means Own the values; Make it fun; Get it done.

19/ Family Home Care
LOCATION: Liberty Lake
EMPLOYEES: 195
—-
A family-owned business that treats its employees like family. Thats one staff members assessment of the home health care providers operating style.

20/ MG2
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 210
—-
A new hire at the architecture/design firm recently noted: I have never felt more valued as an employee. … They understand what a true team culture is.

21/ TUNE
LOCATION: Seattle
EMPLOYEES: 262
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The drive at this mobile software firm is palpable: Everyone is striving to turn this place into their dream job, according to one employee.

COMPANIES HEADQUARTERED OUTSIDE WASHINGTON

Rankings are based on scores derived from confidential employee surveys. Quotes are actual comments given anonymously by employees.

1/ Navy Federal Credit Union
Location: 10 branches in WA
HOME OFFICE: Vienna, VA
WA Employees: 91
—-
Says one staffer: I look forward to coming to work every day because I know I have the support of my peers.

2/ Edward Jones
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: St. Louis
WA Employees: 1,092
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People working for the financial services provider appreciate remarkable autonomy while being part of a dynamic team.

3/ GoDaddy
Location: Kirkland
HOME OFFICE: Scottsdale, AZ
WA Employees: 220
—-
Beer on tap and the best view rank among the cherished perks at the provider of websitedomain registry services.

4/ Hulu
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Santa Monica, CA
WA Employees: 116
—-
Morale is as high as can be, says one employee at the local office of the online streaming TV programmer.

5/ Accolade
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Plymouth Meeting, PA
WA Employees: 61
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What strikes people is our most senior leaders are sitting among our team. Youre never too far away from a leader, and theyre never too far away from you,” says a member of the company.

6/ Collabera
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Morristown, NJ
WA Employees: 20
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The IT recruitment and staffing agency creates a fun environment that recognizes individual and team work.

7/ Andersen Construction
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Portland, OR
WA Employees: 110
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Management really cares about providing a workplace thats focused on employees first, says a member of the construction firm.

8/ Grand Hyatt Seattle/Seattle Olive 8
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Chicago
WA Employees: 415
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Grand Hyatt Seattle/Seattle Olive 8 are known to have an “open-door policy” and colleagues are “encouraged to speak to anyone at any level within the organization.

9/ Harvey Nash
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: London
WA Employees: 30
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At this IT recruiting firm, an associate says, They pay us VERY well! Ive never heard of a company with this commission plan.

10/ West Monroe
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: Chicago
WA Employees: 74
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A tribute to the management consultancy: Ive always thought we have an amazing company and it feels like it gets better each year.

11/ The Partners Group
Location: Bellevue
HOME OFFICE: Portland, OR
WA Employees: 50
—-
This insurance agency is described as being more employee focused than most companies in the industry.

12/ Cowi North America Inc.
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: North Vancouver, BC
WA Employees: 30
—-
The benefits are fantastic at one of the worlds leading bridge, tunnel and marine engineering consulting firms.

13/ Allison+Partners
Location: Seattle
HOME OFFICE: San Francisco
WA Employees: 17
—-
The public relations firm supports a Culture Is King policy that makes the hard days or late nights a little easier.

14/ Astronics AES
Location: Kirkland
HOME OFFICE: East Aurora, NY
WA Employees: 505
—-
Mark Peabody, president of the aviation electronics firm is approachable and authentic the reason why this company is the ultimate office.

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