Residential and commercial services, insurance, health care, social services, manufacturing services and a hair salon. The Herald-Tribune’s 2019’s list of Best Places to Work in Sarasota and Manatee contains quite a variety of workplaces, from larger companies to small and medium-sized companies alike. And ‘alike’ is the operative word. After examining the results collectively, the attributes that make a company a great place to work are similar. No matter the diversity of people, talents and personalities amongst employees and regardless of industry or corporate structure, four themes shine the brightest:

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We are a family at work – in a big way. This is not just about having multigenerational owners continuing a family business, although there are a few of those in the mix. It is about a sense of caring and closeness. It manifests in employers genuinely supporting what employees need and employees having true concern for each other.

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Employees appreciate when their company offers significant educational opportunities in the workplace. Whether online courses, training programs or company mentoring, people know that the chance to learn new skills translates into the ability to grow in their careers and in their lives.

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Real communication between employer and employee is vital to workplace success. When an employer effectively communicates company goals, and an employee feels his or her contribution is valuable, an environment is created that fosters innovation and positive outcomes.

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Fostering an environment where employees feel good about working hard, and also feel like they ‘have a life,’ reduces stress and helps prevent workplace burnout. This can be anything from work from home options and sponsoring events that help others, to contributing to fitness or health-related programs, encouraging fun and much more.

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While the companies on 2019’s Best Places to Work list are ranked, it’s clear to employees that every single one is a winner. If all of the above doesn’t illustrate how much these businesses care about their employees, then the serious commitment it took to participate does. In order for an organization to take part in the Best Places to Work program it has to complete two surveys:

first, at least 80 percent of the company’s employees must complete a 76-question, confidential Employee Engagement & Satisfaction Survey, expressing their views and experiences with company culture. Second, a company manager – typically HR – fills out another survey about benefits and other company details.

 

The employee survey makes up 75 percent of each company’s score. The combined data is analyzed to determine each company’s strengths and challenges, with survey results determining the ranking of the list. All of the survey data is handled by Best Companies Group. This independent Pennsylvannia firm, founded in 2004, manages 60 Best programs and is a division of BridgeTower Media, a publishing and events business.

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Source: the Herald-Tribune. To read the full article, please click here.