100 Best Companies to Work For 2014: Large Companies

Large Companies | 1st Place

Redfin

Location: Seattle / Employees: 244 / Top score: Leadership of Executive

Its lunchtime on a typical Thursday at Redfins downtown Seattle headquarters, and the entire staff has gathered in a massive dining room overlooking Elliott Bay. On the menu: sushi. Redfins employees eat together here three times each week, with departments mingling over all kinds of cuisine.

Redfin CEO Glenn Kelman, a self-described chowhound, maintains that eating lunch with employees is the best way to find out whats really going on.

Redfin, which combines a web-based real estate search tool with actual brokerage services, goes far beyond providing lunches. Although it operates in 25 markets throughout the United States, Redfins Seattle headquarters is the epicenter of its game-changing corporate culture. On most afternoons, software engineers gather for a 30-minute workout in a conference space. Employees hold impromptu happy hours in the spacious lounge with occasional ping pong tournaments breaking out.

Redfin doesnt just look like a great place to work, though. The company provides generous benefits, especially PTO. Each staffer is eligible for a sabbatical after five years of employment. And the companys lines of communication are as open as any weve seen.

As one employee wrote: My ideas and input are always welcomed and supported.

You want to have people be willing to take risks, says Kelman, explaining Redfins emphasis on corporate transparency. You want people to be fearless. And if the consequences of screwing up are off with their head, no ones ever going to take a chance. No ones ever going to have an idea.

Large Companies | 2nd Place

Zillow

Location: Seattle / Employees: 552 / Top score: Work Environment

Has a former president of Mexico ever spoken at one of your companys monthly lunches? Has your boss ever given you a week to design and create any piece of technology you desired? If you answered yes, you work for Zillow, the online real estate marketplace that has transformed the industry. Zillow attracts top-tier talent to its sparkling headquarters in Seattles Russell Investments Center with an unparalleled atmosphere of creativity and fun. One software engineer even used his semiannual Hack Week to create a smart kegerator, complete with Android-linked monitor for keg level and temperature.

Large Companies | 3rd Place

Evergreen Home Loans

Location: Bellevue / Employees: 195 / Top score: Leadership of Executive

Since 2007, the mortgage industry hasnt exactly been sunshine and daisies. Thanks to a committed workforce, Evergreen Home Loans has weathered the storm. With 28 branches in seven western states, the Bellevue-based mortgage firm treats its workers like gold. For starters, they receive industry-leading health insurance and PTO benefits. Each year, Evergreen pays for $500 of continuing education costs, covers eight volunteer hours and matches $250 in charitable giving per employee.