Top Workplaces

Why Do Employer Recognition Awards Matter?

Energage — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 22:34:57 +0000

Organizations of all shapes and sizes chase after the same brand recognition dream. You might think you have a great product, excellent customer service, and a thriving company culture. But how do you know for sure? You need proof from a credible third-party source to know where you stand. And that’s where employer recognition awards come into play.

Employer recognition awards are more than a shiny plaque on a wall; they demonstrate the qualities of a great workplace. They show that an organization can hold its own with the best in the industry and that they are leaders in their communities and beyond. Employer recognition awards come in many forms, from local and national honors to industry and culture excellence diversity.

However, not all employer recognition awards are alike. So, before you pursue earning an employer-of-choice award, do some homework to understand how different programs work, how awards are determined, and how they can benefit your organization.

Benefits of employer recognition awards

Achieving employer recognition awards isn’t just a victory for your organization; it’s a celebration, a source of immense pride, and a powerful morale booster. These accolades go beyond the trophy shelf — they shape a narrative of trustworthiness for your employer brand, influencing your ability to attract top talent and win over new customers. Let’s take a closer look at the primary benefits of employer recognition awards.

Awards strengthen your employer brand

Employer recognition awards are an important component of a successful employer branding strategy. Beyond tokens of achievement, they deliver a powerful message proclaiming, “We excel!” A strong and effective employer brand tells a compelling narrative about your organization’s key differentiators. These endorsements contribute to a competitive advantage, establishing your organization as a standout player in the industry.

Awards unlock valuable media exposure

Earning employer recognition awards gives your organization visibility, publicity, and extensive reach. These accolades bring valuable media attention at both regional and national levels and elevate your brand’s credibility, establishing your organization as a reputable industry leader. Employer recognition awards capture the interest of potential clients, partners, and top talent, serving as compelling testimonials of your commitment to excellence and success.

Awards elevate your recruitment strategy

Employer recognition awards are magnets for top talent. As job seekers scroll through potential employers, spotting these awards signals a workplace where excellence is the norm. The positive buzz draws in job seekers who want to be part of a success-driven culture.

Awards increase employee retention

Employer recognition awards are a source of employee pride, creating a meaningful connection between the individual and the organization. These accolades instill a sense of personal contribution in employees, and being part of an award-winning team inspires them to bring their best to work every day.

This heightened motivation contributes significantly to employee retention. As individuals feel recognized and valued, the awards create a positive, engaging work environment that fosters long-term commitment and reduces turnover rates.

Awards improve company performance

Employer recognition awards are a powerful tool for improving performance and achieving better business outcomes. Programs like Top Workplaces, rooted in authentic employee feedback, create a dual-purpose dynamic. These awards acknowledge and celebrate organizational strengths and unveil areas for enhancement by tapping into valuable employee survey insights. By analyzing feedback data, companies understand their workforce’s sentiments, identifying patterns and trends crucial for overall performance.

The impact of employer recognition awards extends significantly to key business metrics, notably in employee recruitment and retention:

Decrease hiring costs by 43%
Reduce time to hire by up to 20%
Minimize new hire turnover by 34%

Get noticed with Top Workplaces

Participate in the Top Workplaces employer recognition program to stand out and reap the benefits of enhanced visibility, reduced hiring costs, and improved employee retention. Don’t miss the chance to showcase your team’s excellence and people-first culture.

Start by nominating your organization here!

The post Why Do Employer Recognition Awards Matter? appeared first on Top Workplaces.

Improving Training and Development Strategies

Energage — Thu, 11 Jan 2024 20:12:51 +0000

Workplace skills, training, and values must constantly evolve to keep up with new ideas and technology. Employees are becoming more vocal about their need for meaningful employment and growth opportunities. In fact, a lack of training and development is one of the reasons why employees leave to grow somewhere else.

Recent data from the Top Workplaces Research Lab shows that 80% of employees respond positively to the statement, “My manager helps me learn and grow.” That number jumps to 85% at Top Workplaces and 94% at Top Workplaces in the tenth percentile – showing that employers of choice invest in training and development.

Organizations perform at a higher level when they understand and appreciate the value of an employee’s desire to improve themselves and the business. Efforts to nurture a culture of development are most successful when employees, managers, and leaders are all on the same page.

Benefits of improving training and development

Companies need to assess their current initiatives and figure out how to improve training and development strategies to benefit more people. Training and development programs improve the employee experience, which boosts company productivity and performance. The benefits of effective training strategies can help with a lot, including:

Improving employee retention by showing employees you’re invested in their professional development.
Future-proofing your business by equipping employees with relevant short-term and long-term skills.
Improving productivity and efficiency with well-prepared employees to perform their work saves you time and money.
Attracting top talent by offering competitive training and professional development.
Improving employee engagement by conveying to individuals that they are valued as professionals.

There are many other benefits to having well-rounded training and development programs, but a company will only realize those benefits with intentional improvement efforts. Here are twelve tips to keep employees engaged and retained with training and development.

12 tips to improve training and development

Successful companies take an intentional approach to improving their training and development strategies. Because organizations have unique struggles and needs, what works for one organization might not work for another. But there are some universal best practices. These tips will help any organization improve its training and development strategy.

1. Identify your needs

Companies must understand their business’s unique goals and requirements to create the most effective training and development plan. Even different teams might have unique needs.

Ask managers and department leaders what kinds of training and development they think would be the most effective for their teams. If there are a lot of opportunities for improvement, start by focusing on needs that directly impact critical organizational goals.

2. Analyze staff performance

Auditing company performance levels and employees’ feelings about their contributions is another great place to start. Training and development strategies are about improving autonomy and organizational performance. The more data you have about productivity, the more effective your solutions become.

When analyzing staff performance data, looking at employee feedback is helpful. Often, employees provide incredibly insightful information about gaps in their productivity. Those insights help leaders understand the “why” behind different teams’ performance levels.

3. Set realistic goals

Start by aligning training and development programs with company goals to achieve the best results. While this may sound simple, it’s an often overlooked step. From higher productivity and quality to customer and employee satisfaction, working towards an established goal is a key training recommendation. Company leaders should benchmark any business goals against their competition to understand how to adjust their existing programs.

4. Create metrics to measure progress

Metrics to measure training and development strategies can be simple, but managers should incorporate them into every step. Examples include cost of training, completion rates, and employee goal impacts. In addition, employee surveys are an effective method of capturing feedback and valuable input on how to improve training and development strategies.

5. Engage with your employees

Understanding employee needs and gaining buy-in is critical to effective training and development strategies. While accelerating your company’s ability to achieve business goals, it’s also important to consider employee satisfaction. Individuals are more likely to believe the organization wants them to learn and grow when their input and participation are part of the training and development strategy. Examples of questions employers can ask employees include:

What aspects of your job role interest you most?
What responsibilities do you find challenging?
What resources do you need to succeed in your role?
Do you feel like you’re learning new things?
Are there projects or positions that interest you and your growth?
What new areas or skills would you like to explore?

6. Match training and development with employee and management goals

Companies should ask employees about their goals and listen. Effective training strategies prioritize management and employee goals equally. Today’s workforce includes employees across multiple generations, meaning employees may have varying values and goals.

Active participation in training and development strategies is one of the qualities of great managers. They recognize that these programs strengthen their employees’ skill sets. It is also constructive for managers and leaders to facilitate training sessions to engage employees and align employee and management goals.

7. Create a formal program

Effective training strategies are consistent and iterative, from goal setting to application and measurement. Schedule time for training and development programs, even if the topics are fluid, so the initiative doesn’t get forgotten when times get busier. A formal approach is better than ad-hoc training and ensures all team members have regular access to more training opportunities.

8. Start small and stay small

Rolling out a massive training and development program can be overwhelming and hard to maintain. Starting with smaller pilot programs that evolve with goal setting, metric measurement, and company communication are more beneficial.

Once a strategy takes hold and works for all stakeholders, it should stay small and actionable. Keeping realistic expectations and a fluid structure allows you to flex and change your training and development programs based on needs. You can also include smaller doses of continuous training to keep up with a rapidly changing environment.

9. Provide various training types

Not all employees learn the same way, so it’s essential that companies offer many different types of training methods. Evaluate how your training and development programs can be more inclusive of all learning styles.

Different types of training include:

Lectures: Best suited for larger audiences and effective for delivering general, easy-to-understand information.
On-the-job training: Appropriate for managers or employees to offer skills training in real-time.
Group discussions: A effective way to create space for open thinking, discussion, and asking questions.
Games and quizzes: Try these fun and interactive ways to incorporate competition into the mix and increase learning retention.
Videos: An effective training tool for visual learners that can be viewed multiple times.
Simulations: Realistic scenarios presented in a safe environment allowing individuals to apply learning and make improvements before applying it to the real world.

Finding the right balance of different training types takes time and communication with all levels throughout the organization, but the investment is well worth the effort.

10. Set aside time for regular constructive feedback

Feedback is a critical part of effective training and development strategies. Asking employees about their experience and the effectiveness of programs offers helpful insight for improvements and can also inform new training initiatives.

There are several ways to capture feedback about your training and development programs, including:

Employee engagement surveys
1:1 meetings
Group discussion
Evaluations

11. Amend training and development strategies based on employee feedback

Companies with the best training and development programs operate with frequent, honest feedback. Whenever possible, incorporate employee feedback into training and development improvements. Firsthand experience with the material provides valuable insights, but it also shows employees that you heard and value their input.

Take the extra step to share the changes you intend to make based on their feedback. And when you cannot use every suggestion, communicate the reasons why.

12. Measure the outcomes

An important final step is to measure the outcomes of your training and development strategies. After all, none of these tips are helpful if you don’t know what impact they’ve made on your initiatives.

A good starting point is to measure employee feedback data against previously set metrics and goals. Evaluate both successes and failures when considering how to improve training and development.

Top Workplaces prioritize their training and development strategies because they know these are among the key drivers of employee engagement.

Get recognized for your training and development programs

If your company excels at training and development, get recognized for it! Nominate your organization for Top Workplaces, the employer recognition program that offers awards in 60+ regional markets and national awards for culture and industry excellence.

The post Improving Training and Development Strategies appeared first on Top Workplaces.

Building An Employer Brand

Energage — Fri, 05 Jan 2024 16:30:40 +0000

In an era where employee turnover hiring challenges have reached unprecedented levels, the need for a compelling employer brand is more crucial than ever. Here’s what a recent Top Workplaces Research Lab study about recruiting and hiring recently uncovered:

Despite 80% of employers believing they effectively convey their company culture, only 30% of candidates share the same perception.
The dissatisfaction with the time it takes to fill vacant positions is palpable, with nearly half of employers expressing concern.
In the post-pandemic landscape, 60% of employers and 55% of job seekers acknowledge the increased difficulty in recruiting and job hunting.

Nowadays, every company competes for the attention of top-notch talent. Employer brand is your game-changer.

Evolving from a mere buzzword to a strategic initiative, employer brand is the secret ingredient that attracts the best talent and retains them. Improving your recruitment process goes beyond ticking boxes; it’s about crafting a culture story that job seekers find irresistible.

Why employer branding matters

Investing in your employer brand is not just a luxury; it’s a smart move that sets your company apart from the competition. Recent research underscores the impact, revealing that companies with a robust employer brand are three times more likely to secure top-tier talent. Trust is also a pivotal factor, with job candidates being three times more likely to believe what your employees say about your company than your polished corporate pitch.

Organizational benefits of great employer branding include:

Increased inbound recruitment and top talent attraction
Higher retention levels and lower turnover costs
A more authentic and engaging company brand (different but related to employer brand)

How to build an employer brand

Stay tuned for eight impactful ways to build an employer brand that attracts top-notch candidates and fosters an aligned workplace culture. These strategies empower organizations to create a lasting impression and stand out as an employer of choice.

1. Start with an employee engagement survey

Initiating your employer brand strategy? Start with an employee engagement survey — your workplace x-ray to evaluate the workplace experience at your organization. Look for a research-backed, confidential survey that identifies key themes, such as:

What are employees’ perceptions of fairness around pay, benefits, and work-life flexibility?
Is there inclusion, support, openness, and appreciation?
How do employees feel about training, learning, and reaching their potential?
Are there shared beliefs in your organization’s direction, values, and meaning?
Is there communication, collaboration, and low operational friction?
Are employees committed and productive, and do they advocate for your organization?

Employee feedback sheds valuable light on your organization’s workplace culture, including strengths, unique characteristics, and areas for improvement. Utilizing your organization’s culture strengths can help you to build an authentic employer brand. Consider this your powerful magnet that attracts new talent and customers.

2. Understand your employee value proposition

Your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is your organization’s unique offering beyond basic compensation. It conveys the tangible and intangible benefits that make your workplace distinct, including company culture, employee development opportunities, work-life balance, and additional perks.

EVP is closely tied to employer brand, which is how your organization is perceived in the job market. EVPs form the foundation of an employer brand, influencing how current and potential employees view your organization. When your EVP aligns with the values and expectations of your workforce, it contributes to a positive employer brand. This enhances an employer’s ability to retain, engage, and attract top talent.

Effectively communicating EVP is crucial for building and maintaining a strong employer brand that resonates authentically with your employees and sets your organization apart in the competitive talent landscape.

3. Promote an authentic, credible brand

Communicating and promoting a credible employer brand is imperative for attracting top talent and fostering a positive workplace culture. Creating a robust careers page is an excellent place to start. A window into your company’s workplace culture, a careers page should offer a genuine glimpse into the day-to-day workplace experiences of your employees. By showcasing candid employee insights and culture strengths, employers give potential candidates a transparent view of what it’s like to work for their organization.

Get the most out of your careers page by leveraging employee feedback for credibility and transparency. A well-conveyed culture resonates with job candidates who share similar values. Highlighting anonymous employee comments found in your engagement survey data also adds a human element, which can improve recruitment and authenticity.

Discover more: 16 Employee Recruitment Strategies to Attract Top Talent

4. Earn credible employer recognition

Credible employer recognition, such as Top Workplaces awards, goes beyond office wall decorations. They signify third-party verification and legitimacy, showcasing your organization’s ability to stand tall among industry leaders. Whether local or national, focused on industry or culture excellence, these awards play a pivotal role in a compelling employer brand. These awards offer two key benefits for your employer brand:

Credibility

First, employer recognition awards provide credibility by offering tangible proof that your organization excels, dispelling potential employee uncertainties, and establishing trustworthiness.

Media exposure

Secondly, these accolades bring valuable media exposure, creating opportunities for networking, sponsorships, and engagement with prospective employees and other organizations.

Embracing and showcasing these awards is more than just a symbol of achievement; it’s a strategic move that places your company in a position of strength, communicating a commitment to excellence that resonates with current and potential employees.

Discover more: Why Do Employer Recognition Awards Matter

5. Refresh employee feedback to stay updated

Staying current is the key to a sustainable, successful employer brand. Refreshing your employee survey data ensures that your employer brand remains authentic. By embracing this iterative approach, your organization attracts top talent and cultivates a workplace culture that adapts and thrives in the ever-changing professional landscape.

6. Build a meaningful onboarding experience

Onboarding experiences make or break new hires. It’s up to employers to ensure every employee is positioned for success. The most effective employer brands align messages across all channels to set clear expectations and lay the groundwork for productive employer-employee relationships.

Candidates often get introduced to employer brands during recruitment, but it’s also vital to reintroduce your brand during onboarding. This way, employers control the narrative, and employees are better equipped to understand the culture. And thrive within it.

7. Use social media to reinforce your brand

When potential hires check out your company on social media, especially platforms like LinkedIn, what they see matters. The tone and vibe of your posts should match your brand. If your social media game reflects the same employer brand voice you want employees to experience, it will make your company more attractive.

8. Keep policies up to date

When you make changes to your employer brand, make sure they are reflected in your company policies. This keeps things clear for everyone and avoids any mixed signals.

Boost your employer brand with Top Workplaces

Make credibility part of your recruitment strategy. Participate in Top Workplaces, the employer recognition program based solely on employee feedback. It begins with a brief research-backed engagement survey and includes the option to promote your culture’s strengths, regardless of receiving an award.

To start, nominate your company below. Our specialists are ready to ensure a quick and efficient process, and there are no downsides to participation.

The post Building An Employer Brand appeared first on Top Workplaces.

Top Companies for DE&I in 2023

Energage — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:57:36 +0000

Companies With the Best DE&I Practices

More companies are promoting workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion every year – and for a good reason. A recent Deloitte study found that diverse teams perform 80 percent better than their non-diverse counterparts. And according to Boston Consulting Group, diversity and inclusion companies generally achieve 19 percent higher revenue than their less inclusive peers.

But aside from greater profits and better team performance, the human element is just as important to consider. Employees deserve to be treated with respect and care. They should also feel comfortable and safe in the workplace.

Before we get into the best companies for diversity and inclusion, let’s look at what employees gain from working at a DE&I-focused organization.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace

DE&I refers to the active programs and policies a company enacts to promote representation, acknowledgment, and participation of people of different backgrounds, races, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, age, ability, and religion. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, let’s look at how diversity, equity, and inclusion differ.

Diversity is the presence of difference. It typically refers to representing others across a spectrum of race, gender identity, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and others.

Equity is about putting employees on equal footing. Companies can create fair access to opportunities and advancement by recognizing and minimizing the barriers some face in the workplace.

Inclusion creates the opportunity for team members and employees to feel a genuine sense of belonging and value within a workplace.

Benefits of working at a diverse and inclusive company

The best companies for diversity and inclusion create a welcoming environment that leads to greater employee productivity and loyalty. They also benefit from multiple viewpoints and perspectives that bring innovative and creative solutions. Some additional benefits that diversity and inclusion companies experience include:

Improved revenue: Employees who feel part of the company take pride in their work and give more discretionary effort. These great workplaces achieve higher revenue levels as a result.
Access to quality talent: Widening the recruitment scope gives opportunities to individuals who otherwise would have been overlooked.
Higher employee engagement: A diverse and inclusive workplace can improve employee engagement. If team members feel respected and important, they feel a greater connection to the company.
Employees are less likely to leave: Diversity tactics also improve employee retention. Employees who feel valued and appreciated are more loyal and engaged.

Now that we’ve explained the benefits of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, let’s explore some of the best diversity and inclusion companies.

Top companies for diversity and inclusion

Top Workplaces awards companies based on employee surveys that measure employee engagement and satisfaction. These ten companies exhibit the best DE&I practices and deserve recognition for their efforts and accomplishments. Learn more about these top companies for diversity and inclusion below and by checking out their company profiles.

10 Best Companies for DE&I

Eight Eleven Family of Companies

Eight Eleven Family of Companies is redefining the staffing industry with creative collaboration and a dedication to individuality. Eight Eleven employees believe the work environment welcomes and empowers professionals of all backgrounds.

Leadership and hiring teams also pay particular attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. So much so that the organization recently achieved 52% diversity across genders and races. Senior Account Executive Ephrem Chedid says, “By bringing more people to the table, we all go further together.”

Industry: Staffing
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 IndyStar Top Workplaces
Company Profile: Eight Eleven Group

First National Bank

A 2023 Top Workplace for DE&I Practices, First National Bank is dedicated to building a diverse workforce where people from all backgrounds can learn, grow, and win together. The company values innovative ideas and the individuals behind them.

Industry: Banks
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Baltimore Sun Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Financial Services, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices
Company Profile: First National Bank

MicroHealth LLC

MicroHealth is another 2023 Top Workplace for DE&I Practices. Claude Hines, Chief Operating Officer, describes the company culture as dynamic, growing, and inclusive. Explore MicroHealth’s company profile for more information, plus a link to their website and active careers page.

Industry: Managed Services & Outsourcing
Location: Vienna, VA
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Washington Post Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Technology, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices
Company Profile: MicroHealth

Advantis Credit Union

Advantis Credit Union’s inclusive workplace culture celebrates each employee’s unique skills. The credit union advocates for diversity and empowerment while creating a sense of belonging for all employees. Advantis uses DEI Councils and Belonging Communities to ensure every voice is heard.

Industry: Credit Unions
Location: Oregon City, OR
Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Oregonian Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Financial Services, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices.
Company Profile: Advantis Credit Union

GreenPath Financial Wellness

GreenPath Financial Wellness is an award-winning nonprofit on a mission to improve financial wellness and remix the American Dream, so it works for everyone. GreenPath is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access – essential for fostering a creative and people-centered workplace culture. Employees at GreenPath bring mission-driven passion and creativity to work, knowing that cultivates successful, powerful teams.

Industry: Nonprofit
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Detroit Free Press Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices, 2023 Top Workplaces for Innovation
Company Profile: GreenPath Financial Wellness

Fairway Independent Mortgage

Fairway Independent Mortgage recognized that supporting DE&I is the right thing to do and good for business. To be successful in an increasingly diverse world, Fairway is committed to building an inclusive environment for its workforce, partners, and clients. That commitment to diversity helps Fairway Independent Mortgage stay competitive and retain the very best talent at all levels.

Industry: Mortgage Lending
Location: Madison, WI
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Boston Globe Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices, 2023 Top Workplaces for Purpose & Values
Company Profile: Fairway Independent Mortgage
Learn more: Fairway Independent Mortgage Success Story

Aledade, Inc.

Aledade provides innovative solutions in the population health industry. They empower healthcare providers and patients by advancing America’s push towards value-based healthcare, where physicians and hospitals profit by keeping people healthy and costs down. The organization values inclusion, equity, diversity, and community. Employees at Aledade are encouraged to learn from different backgrounds and perspectives, creating a curious and creative workplace culture.

Industry: Healthcare
Location: Bethesda, MD
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Washington Post Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Healthcare, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices
Company Profile: Aledade, Inc.

CapEd Credit Union

CapEd Credit Union knows belonging, diversity, equity, and inclusion improve innovation and well-being. The organization respects and values all people, experiences, skills, and opinions equally. At CapEd Credit Union, an empowering environment drives collaboration and a shared mission of superior community enrichment and service quality.

Industry: Credit Unions
Location: Meridian, ID
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Idaho Press Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Financial Services, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices, 2023 Top Workplaces for Professional Development
Company Profile: CapEd Credit Union
Learn more: CapEd Credit Union Success Story

The Village for Families and Children

The Village for Families & Children works to build strong and healthy families by providing behavioral health treatments and support to children and adults, ranging from substance abuse treatment to foster care and adoption. The Village’s mission is driven by diversity and anti-racism. The organization, which recently won the 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices award, pledges to use the power of staff, policies, practices, and partnerships to fight biases and discrimination.

Industry: Human & Social Services
Location: Hartford, CT
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Hartford Courant Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for Nonprofit, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices,
Company Profile: The Village for Families & Children

Paycor

Paycor uses its cloud-based Human Capital Management (HCM) software to help companies manage their most valuable asset: their people. The workplace culture at Paycor embraces diversity, continued learning, and equitable systems. To support this commitment to DE&I, Paycor also offers Perspectives+, an online resource complete with articles, templates, webinars, and practical tips to help employees implement DE&I throughout the organization.

Industry: Payroll
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Recent Top Workplaces Awards: 2023 Top Workplaces USA, 2023 Cincinnati Enquirer Top Workplaces, 2023 Top Workplaces for DE&I Practices, 2023 Top Workplaces for Leadership
Company Profile: Paycor
Learn more: Paycor Success Story

Explore careers at the most diverse and inclusive companies

Read the full list of Top Workplaces DE&I Practices award winners to explore career opportunities and learn more about the power of people-first cultures.

Does your employer deserve recognition? Nominate your organization for Top Workplaces, the program that offers awards in 60+ markets and national awards for culture and industry excellence.

The post Top Companies for DE&I in 2023 appeared first on Top Workplaces.

Employer Branding Mistakes to Avoid

Energage — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:55:30 +0000

Why do some companies attract top-notch talent almost effortlessly while others struggle? It has a lot to do with effectively communicating and showcasing a solid, authentic employer brand. Once considered a trendy buzzword, the concept of employer brand has become the secret ingredient that drives a successful recruitment strategy.

Research suggests organizations are missing the mark. A recent Top Workplaces study shows that employers and job seekers alike are struggling with the recruiting and hiring process. One thing stands out:

While 80% of employers believe they effectively convey their company culture to job seekers, only 30% of candidates share the same perception.

Many well-intentioned employer brand strategies face this challenge, but the good news is that there is a solution. Let’s explore the issue by first exploring the most prevalent employer branding mistakes. Afterward, we’ll provide you with best practices for crafting an irresistible employer brand.

What employer brand is and why it matters

Employer branding isn’t about self-promotion to attract top talent. At the core, it’s about spotlighting and championing your organization’s workplace culture and what makes it unique. It offers prospective candidates an authentic glimpse into the day-to-day experience of being part of your team. Employer branding is essential to your recruitment and retention and brand reputation strategies because it provides an honest portrayal that helps candidates decide if your organization is a good fit.

Common employer branding mistakes to avoid

Understanding the potential pitfalls is one of the first steps in crafting a successful employer brand. Here are the most common mistakes:

1. Lack of strategy

Without a strategy, you are left without a clear direction for communicating your organization’s unique workplace identity. This leads to an inconsistent message, which makes it challenging to attract top talent that aligns with your culture and purpose.

2. Inauthenticity

An inauthentic employer brand poses a significant problem because it creates a discrepancy between the company’s portrayed brand reputation and the actual workplace experience. It also erodes credibility, leading to increased levels of employer turnover.

3. Lack of consistency

Inconsistency leaves job candidates unsure about what your company truly stands for and dilutes the impact of your organization’s purpose and values. When your employer brand varies across channels or over time, it undermines establishing a strong and recognizable corporate identity.

4. Excluding employee feedback

When you don’t consider or include employee feedback as part of your strategy, you fail to know what drives your workplace culture. It also deprives your employer brand of authenticity.

5. Neglecting online brand reputation

Job candidates look to online reviews and social media to form an opinion about your organization. Allowing negative perceptions to fester can significantly impact the employer brand you carefully crafted.

6. Bland job descriptions

Generic and uninspiring job descriptions fail to capture the attention of potential candidates and convey the organization’s unique culture and employer brand.

7. Limited employee involvement

Employees are firsthand witnesses to your organization’s workplace culture. Neglecting them as talent ambassadors means missing out on a genuine and relatable narrative that can positively influence external perceptions.

8. Underestimating employee advocacy

Underestimating employee advocacy disregards the important role satisfied and engaged employees can play in shaping your company’s reputation. Failing to harness their influence means missing an opportunity to amplify your company’s positive image.

9. Limiting the talent pool

Recent survey data from the Top Workplaces Research Lab reveals that a limited talent pool is the number one obstacle to hiring and recruiting. Unintentionally limiting your talent pool is an employer branding mistake because it narrows the opportunities to attract and engage a diverse range of qualified candidates.

10. Lack of employer recognition awards

A lack of employer recognition awards is an employer branding mistake because these accolades are powerful endorsements of a company’s positive workplace practices. In a competitive landscape, where job seekers rely on external validations, the absence of recognition awards may signal a missed chance to showcase the company as an employer of choice.

11. Shortsightedness

Recruitment and retention are a long game. Strong employer branding requires dynamic strategizing over long periods, not random, one-time campaigns.

12. Not delivering on promises

Failing to deliver on promises hurts your employer brand, eroding trust and credibility. When a company fails to fulfill its commitments to employees regarding work culture, benefits, or growth opportunities, it disjoints the promised employer brand and the actual employee experience.

13. Lack of investment

A lack of investment in employer branding diminishes an organization’s ability to create a compelling and competitive image in the job market. Without it, organizations may struggle to differentiate themselves from competitors, attract top talent, and retain their existing workforce.

14. Not measuring success

Assessing whether the implemented strategies achieve the desired outcomes becomes challenging without measurable metrics. Failing to gauge the impact of employer branding efforts can lead to missed opportunities for improvement and hinder the ability to attract, engage, and retain top talent.

Three steps to build an authentic employer brand

Listen to employees

Start by conducting an employee engagement survey to measure what drives your organization’s workplace culture. Using a third-party survey that is confidential and research-backed will ensure a healthy response rate and build employee trust. By actively listening to your employees, you will show them you value their input.

Act on feedback

Analyze employee feedback to identify key themes and then act on that data. By responding to employee feedback, you demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and foster a workplace culture that values and prioritizes the employee experience.

Showcase your culture

Promote culture strengths found in the employee survey feedback and showcase third-party employer recognition awards. Integrating genuine employee feedback improves your employer brand credibility, providing job candidates and stakeholders with a transparent and compelling view of what makes your workplace culture unique.

Related: Build and Drive Employer Brand

Build your employer brand with Top Workplaces

Third-party employer recognition awards such as Top Workplaces are important in employer branding. The accolades provide tangible evidence of excellence, laying the foundation for a trusted employer brand. Top Workplaces awards enhance your organization’s visibility and attract valuable media exposure. Showcasing these awards goes beyond aesthetics; they position your company as an employer of choice.

Make a credible and authentic employer brand part of your recruitment strategy. Participate in Top Workplaces, the employer recognition program based on employee feedback. It begins with a brief research-backed engagement survey and includes the option to promote your culture’s strengths, regardless of receiving an award. To start, nominate your company below. Our specialists are ready to ensure a quick and efficient process, and there are no downsides to participation.

The post Employer Branding Mistakes to Avoid appeared first on Top Workplaces.

14 Best Companies for Work-Life Balance & Flexibility in 2023

Energage — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 21:59:39 +0000

Workplace flexibility refers to organizations giving employees more control over how, when, and where they work. This flexibility acknowledges that everyone has different preferences, and gives individuals the freedom to choose what works best for them. When executed well, this flexibility boosts employee productivity and well-being by putting individuals in the drivers seat of their own success.

Now, workplace flexibility is more important than ever. The ability and willingness of a company to adapt or change under different circumstances attracts job seekers and business partners alike. That’s because the flexibility places more importance on efficiency and quality over physical location.

Employee Benefits of Work-Life Balance & Flexibility

When an employee has a healthy work-life balance, they have more energy and higher morale to get things done. It’s because productivity and satisfaction are directly related to leadership support and employee perks and benefits. Meeting those needs and giving employees the autonomy to work whenever and wherever they’d like creates a more rewarding culture and employee experience.

Companies committed to workplace flexibility best practices also have excellent employee retention rates. Employees are less likely to search for a new job opportunity when they have workplace flexibility, which enables them to:

Be more creative
Remain motivated
Find a healthy work-life balance
Increase productivity
Experience reduced stress
Feel loyalty to their employers

Having the best employee recognition programs can help retain employees and keep them happy.

Top Companies for Work-Life Balance & Flexibility

Top Workplaces represent the best of the best. By prioritizing the employee experience, these award-winning companies out-produce, out-innovate, and out-deliver the competition.

The awards are based entirely on employee feedback. The Top Workplaces process begins with a research-backed employee engagement survey. Energage, the company that powers the program, uses several mechanisms to determine Top Workplaces with truly remarkable cultures:

Anonymous employee feedback
Well-designed scientific measurement
Data captured from more than 70,000 organizations
Proprietary software

Top Workplaces winners can showcase the prestigious recognition to their employees and promote their status to the world. The award supports their employer brand reputation, attracts the best talent, and boosts employee morale. Here are 14 of the best Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility:

CGI

CGI is one of the biggest IT and business consulting firms globally. Supported by almost 13,000 US employees, CGI is passionate about putting its employees first.

Industry: Consulting
Location: Fairfax, VA
Benefits & Perks: Heavy focus on work-life balance, flexible schedules
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Employee Well-Being
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Top Workplaces
- See CGI’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: CGI careers

Zoro

Zoro is a customer-centric enterprise. An eCommerce supplier, the Zoro team makes its mission to provide customers with anything they may need to run and operate their business successfully.

Industry: Industrial/Commercial Supplies
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL
Benefits & Perks: Employee swag, team bonding
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplace for Compensation & Benefits
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Wisconsin State Journal Top Workplaces
- See Zoro’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Zoro careers

CBIZ

CBIZ offers financial services that include accounting, risk advisory, real estate counseling, and valuation services. The company makes it a point to keep its culture focused on its core values, which revolve around the idea that everyone matters.

Industry: Financial Services
Location: Cleveland, OH
Benefits & Perks: Flexible scheduling, emphasis on employee satisfaction
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Financial Services
- 2023 Denver Post Top Workplaces
- See CBIZ’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: CBIZ careers

KnowBe4

KnowBe4 is a robust information security company. Advanced security awareness training and simulated phishing make them a formidable company in the security industry. KnowBe4 is serious about cybercrime, but it makes plenty of time to have fun with its staff.

Industry: Information Security
Location: Clearwater, FL
Benefits & Perks: Team members are valued stakeholders, remote yoga and fitness classes, philanthropy events
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Appreciation
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Technology
- See KnowBe4’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: KnowBe4 careers

Mimecast

Mimecast developed into a software giant using intentional and scalable design architecture, focusing on the most vulnerable parts of the internet — email and web communications. While putting a stop to cyberattacks, Mimecast is committed to keeping employee morale and retention high.

Industry: Enterprise Software
Location: Lexington, MA
Benefits & Perks: Social responsibility program, career development training, global diversity
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Innovation
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Compensation & Benefits
- See Mimecast’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Mimecast careers

Daugherty Business Solutions

Daugherty Business Solutions helps enterprises leverage modern technology to boost business results dramatically. Daugherty is known for providing quality service and analytics.

Industry: Custom Software Development and Consulting
Location: St. Louis, MO
Benefits & Perks: Transparency encouraged, work-life balance put first
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Leadership
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Compensation & Benefits
- See Daugherty’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Daugherty Business Solutions careers

Ulteig

Ulteig is a leading engineering company that provides consulting services for infrastructure companies and field service projects. The company also has planned and designed several Lifeline Sectors, including Power, Transportation, and water. Ulteig prides itself on a collaborative workplace that encourages innovation and creativity.

Industry: Engineering
Location: Fargo, ND
Benefits & Perks: Flexible workplace, employee ownership
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Employee Well-Being
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Denver Post Top Workplaces
- 2022 Top Workplaces USA
- See Ulteig’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Ulteig careers

Credigy Solutions, Inc.

Credigy is a global specialty finance company with flexibility across the capital structure to acquire or finance a diverse range of assets. They invest in consumer-related assets, and they’re the partner of choice when financial institutions face complex challenges and strategic changes. Credigy believes its most important investment is its people.

Industry: Credit and Finance
Location: Norcross, GA
Benefits & Perks: Innovative flexibility program, generous paid-leave policies, meaningful training and development opportunities
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Compensation & Benefits
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Financial Services
- See Credigy’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Credigy careers

PTC

PTC’s purpose is the Power to Create, and they promote work-life best practices. Their technology helps industrial businesses create products that benefit their customers and the world. From advanced hospital equipment and sustainable buildings to spacesuits, PTC is a leading tech company.

Industry: Vertical Industry Software
Location: Boston, MA
Benefits & Perks: Employee-focused, flexible workplace
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Innovation
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Leadership
- See PTC’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: PTC careers

MIL Corporation

Tech companies with the best work-life balance practices aren’t easy to come by. MIL Corporation does an excellent job of encouraging employee bonding with team-building exercises. This company provides advanced technical and administrative services to the federal government, ranging from IT to engineering services.

Industry: Information Technology
Location: Bowie, MD
Benefits & Perks: Seasonal employee celebrations, encouraged corporate networking, on-site training
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Appreciation
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Washington Post Top Workplaces
- See MIL Corporation’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: MIL Corporation careers

CallRail

CallRail believes in making sure employees are able to bring their best selves every day. They empower their people to turn it off and to seek personal and professional fulfillment — like taking advantage of a $2,000 annual education allowance or tapping into its Repair the World program to make a positive impact in its hometown of Atlanta.

Industry: Advertising & Marketing
Location: Atlanta, GA
Benefits & Perks: 401k match, stock options, paid parking and public transit
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Innovation
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- See CallRail’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: CallRail careers

Shure Incorporated

Shure has led the electronic audio industry for almost 100 years. Shure thrives as a global audio equipment manufacturer, ensuring its employees are fulfilled and engaged.

Industry: Electronics/Computers
Location: Niles, IL
Benefits & Perks: Employees regularly are gifted SHURE equipment
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Compensation & Benefits
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Manufacturing
- See Shure Incorporated’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Shure Incorporated careers

ENSCO

ENSCO provides engineering, advanced tech, and science solutions for various clients and has a culture that promotes creativity and innovation. It is proud to be a progressive employer that is serious about diversity.

Industry: Information Technology
Location: Springfield, VA
Benefits & Perks: Diverse workplace, charity drives, employee activity committees, picnics
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Employee Well-Being
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Technology
- See ENSCO’s Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: ENSCO careers

Chenega MIOS

Chenega is a Military Intelligence and Operations Support (MIOS) firm and a Strategic Business Unit (SBU). Chenega is passionate about preserving its heritage and traditions, and the company supports its employees who hold similar values.

Industry: Data Analysis and Research
Location: Lorton, VA
Benefits & Perks: Charity, Company investing, Native preservation support
Top Workplace Awards:
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Professional Development
- 2023 Top Workplaces USA
- 2023 Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility
- 2023 Washington Post Top Workplaces
- See Chenega MIOS’ Top Workplaces awards
Job Listings: Chenega MIOS careers

Become a Top Workplace for Work-Life Balance & Flexibility

The importance of employer recognition awards is growing every day. In addition to brand visibility, Top Workplaces participants also benefit from valuable insights from the employee engagement survey. Companies that earn the Top Workplaces for Work-Life Flexibility award find it easier to attract top talent and improve employee retention.

Nominate your organization for Top Workplaces, the program that offers regional recognition in 60+ markets and national awards for culture and industry excellence.

The post 14 Best Companies for Work-Life Balance & Flexibility in 2023 appeared first on Top Workplaces.

Workplace Appreciation

Energage — Thu, 09 Nov 2023 20:59:25 +0000

Create an appreciation culture with insights from HR professionals, Top Workplaces experts, and research-backed best practices.

In a workplace where recognition and appreciation are elusive concepts, the daily routine can feel like an endless treadmill for employees. Maybe their ideas are lost in a void, or their contributions are met with silence. In these environments, motivation dwindles, and commitment wanes, leading employees to become increasingly uninvested in their tasks. Over time, the experience of having their contributions met with indifference makes it challenging for employees to stay motivated day in and day out.

The continuous cycle of feeling undervalued eventually brings the employee to a crossroads. They must decide whether to stay, hoping for change that may never materialize, or seek a new organization where employees are recognized for their contributions. And guess what? The option to leave becomes increasingly appealing with each passing day.

This article explores workplace appreciation and uncovers how to improve your organization’s approach to recognizing employees. We’ll inspire and equip you with lots of employee appreciation ideas you can use to ensure your employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best day after day.

Learn more: Why Employees Leave & How to Prevent Turnover

Why workplace appreciation matters

Workplace appreciation isn’t about warm feelings and friendly pats on the back. Instead, it’s a catalyst for a healthy company culture and a driver of improved employee retention. It’s also among the most cost-effective methods for positively influencing morale, productivity, and retention rates.

How and what gets celebrated sends a powerful statement about your organization’s culture and what gets prioritized. When authentic employee appreciation is woven into daily operations, starting from leadership and permeating the workforce, motivating employees to bring their best to work every day.

Leaders at Top Workplaces recognize the significant impact of employee appreciation, and this recognition is backed by compelling research. Aspiring organizations seek to emulate the success of Top Workplaces, often characterized by stronger-than-average workplace cultures.

When measuring employee responses to the Appreciation statement on the Energage Workplace Survey, aspiring organizations recorded a commendable 84% positive response rate. Award-winning Top Workplaces achieved even more remarkable results, with an impressive 90-97% of employees expressing positive sentiments, underscoring the power of prioritizing employee appreciation and the qualities of a great workplace.

Creating a successful workplace appreciation strategy

Recent findings from a Top Workplace Research Lab study show that only 35% of HR professionals and company leaders consider their workplace appreciation efforts as very or extremely effective. This underscores the pressing need for meaningful employee recognition. To craft a successful workplace appreciation strategy, it’s crucial to understand what matters most to employees based on their feedback.

In developing an effective strategy, aim to balance informal gestures and formal recognition programs. The same research study reveals what HR professionals deem essential:

Personalized forms of appreciation
Recognition from senior leadership and direct managers
Financial incentives
Opportunities for training and growth
Consistency and fairness
Alignment with employee values
Celebrating professional milestones

Workplace appreciation ideas

Showing appreciation is all about being authentic, and everyone plays a role, including leaders, managers, and employees. Next, we’ll dive into how you can show appreciation in the workplace. These ideas will inspire a culture of gratitude where employees feel valued and seen. Let’s get started!

1. Saying thank you

Don’t underestimate the power of saying “thank you.” You can also enhance this with a handwritten or digital note to convey gratitude.

2. Employee-of-the-month award

Take the classic employee-of-the-month award to the next level by encouraging fellow employees to nominate their peers with personal comments, highlighting their alignment with company values.

3. Work anniversaries

Work anniversaries are meaningful milestones for your team members. Make them feel valued by commemorating these each month. Celebrate at company-wide meetings, internal channels, and thoughtful gifts for milestone years.

4. Passion projects

Allow employees to carve out time to explore their interests and passions alongside their regular work duties.

5. Company swag

Providing branded merchandise like T-shirts or mugs creates a sense of belonging and pride among your employees.

6. Customer service excellence recognition

The customer service award is a standout choice for companies with customer-facing teams. Acknowledging and appreciating these employees goes a long way in ensuring positive customer experiences and building a stronger brand reputation.

7. Social media spotlight

Shine a light on your employees through social media shoutouts. It shows appreciation and gives your brand extra exposure. Even if your company isn’t a social media giant, it’s an excellent way to showcase your most valuable assets – your dedicated employees. Plus, it can attract top talent who value recognition.

8. Summer Fridays

Shorter workdays or early Fridays during the summer are a refreshing way to show appreciation and encourage employees to recharge.

9. Employee appreciation events

Boost team morale with employee recognition ideas like happy hours, office outings, and company-sponsored social events. These occasions praise employees for their hard work and provide an opportunity for connection that strengthens workplace relationships.

10. Appreciation wall

A tangible way to motivate and appreciate your employees, an appreciation wall can be a creative and inspiring centerpiece in your workplace. These walls often feature peer-to-peer recognition, leadership quotes, and guidance on how to express gratitude.

11. Driving success award

Reserve this idea for employees who have made a significant impact on your company through their creativity, hard work, innovation, and embodiment of essential company values. It’s a more formal recognition, often accompanied by an award ceremony and celebration.

12. Above and beyond accolades

This award is great for employees who consistently go the extra mile and actively promote a culture of gratitude. It’s even more impactful when the recipient regularly shares their appreciation, setting a powerful example for their colleagues.

13. Birthday celebrations

Recognizing employee birthdays is a simple yet meaningful way to show them you care about their special day.

14. Wellness stipend

A wellness stipend is an excellent investment in employee well-being and physical and mental health. It can also minimize employee burnout.

15. Dinner out

Treating your team to a meal is a delicious way to show workplace appreciation and connect with employees.

16. Recognize outside achievements

Acknowledging your employees’ personal milestones, such as weddings, graduations, or births, shows you care about people as individuals, not just employees.

17. Virtual lunches

Hosting virtual lunches is a fun way of engaging remote employees to ensure they feel connected and appreciated.

18. Workplace flexibility

Offering employees additional workplace flexibility is a welcome way to balance work and life according to their needs.

19. ‘No meetings’ day

Designate a day free from meetings, allowing employees to focus on tasks without interruptions.

20. Gift cards

Surprise employees with gift cards to their favorite stores or restaurants as a special treat to express gratitude and appreciation.

21. Monthly subscriptions

Surprise your team with monthly subscriptions to services like streaming, magazines, or meal kits.

22. Monetary bonuses

Let’s face it: everyone appreciates a little extra cash. While not as personal as other ideas, it’s an excellent complement to more individualized gestures.

23. Holiday Celebrations

Marking holidays with festive events and decorations can create a joyful atmosphere within the workplace.

24. Team retreat

Organize team-building retreats to strengthen bonds and express appreciation for your employees’ hard work.

25. Non-profit donations

Supporting causes that matter to your team members demonstrates a commitment to their values.

26. VIP parking spot

Reward exceptional performance with a coveted parking space.

27. Extra PTO

Providing additional paid time off gives employees a well-deserved break to recharge.

28. Appreciation round

Start team meetings by encouraging employees to share their gratitude for other team members and celebrate teamwork.

29. Customer praise

Highlight positive reviews from customers and share how it makes a positive impact on the organization.

30. Be a role model

Starting at the organization’s top and throughout, encourage and model a culture of appreciation.

31. Measure employee appreciation

Employee engagement surveys such as the Workplace Survey measure employee sentiment around appreciation and provide the opportunity to provide context through anonymous comments.

See the latest research and get more employee appreciation ideas

In times when retention, morale, and motivation are critical, learning what matters most to your employees is a great place to start. After all, appreciation consistently ranks as one of the strongest drivers of employee engagement.

For a deeper dive into the world of employee appreciation and to discover the innovative strategies and approaches of award-winning workplaces, download this Top Workplaces Research Lab report.

Top Workplaces for Appreciation

Which of the nation’s companies excel at employee recognition? Check out award-winning Top Workplaces for Appreciation.

If your company believes in the power of a people-first culture that prioritizes employee appreciation, get recognized for it! Top Workplaces is the nation’s leading employer recognition program, offering awards in 60+ regional markets plus national honors for culture and industry excellence. To participate, begin by nominating your organization here.

The post Workplace Appreciation appeared first on Top Workplaces.

6 Companies with Great Employee Recognition

Energage — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 22:28:25 +0000

Create an appreciation culture with insights from HR professionals, Top Workplaces experts, and research-backed best practices.

Who and what your company celebrates tells your employees a lot about the kind of culture you have — and the type of culture you want. When genuine appreciation is modeled every day from the top down, you’ll create a culture that people want to be a part of and contribute to in every way.

There are plenty benefits of employee recognition, including better retention and morale. The best employee recognition programs also drive people to perform better. Not to mention, workplace appreciation consistently ranks as one of the strongest drivers of engagement.

Companies with great employee recognition programs

Companies with the best employee recognition programs go beyond tangible benefits to make employees feel appreciated, valued, and motivated. They’re also more likely to stay with your company, significantly impacting employee retention.

Not all employee recognition programs are successful. They should align closely with your company’s mission and values to be effective. Here, we feature six award-winning Top Workplaces that rank highly for employee recognition and highlight employee rewards and recognition program examples.

CBIZ

CBIZ delivers top-level financial and employee business services to organizations of all sizes and individual clients by providing national-caliber expertise and highly personalized service offered locally.

The company provides financial services, including accounting, tax, financial advisory, consulting services, risk management, and corporate finance, alongside retirement plan consulting and administration, payroll, HR outsourcing, health care reform consulting, and other employee benefits consulting services.

Employee recognition programs: Total Rewards Employee Experience
Standout employee recognition features: Purpose and growth are considered pillars of compensation and the employee experience at CBIZ.
Employee appreciation goals: To enhance the quality of peer and employee-supervisor relationships, create a sense of purpose in each employee’s work through recognition and appreciation.
What employees say:
- “I love my team. They’re supportive and make coming to work enjoyable and fun.”
- “Verbal praise of doing a good job. Employees can be nominated for recognition awards when they go above and beyond for our clients and coworkers, both nationally and locally.”
- “My team members make me feel like my work matters, and I contribute to the company’s success.”
CBIZ’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

Baldwin Risk Partners

As a company, Baldwin Risk Partners comprises entrepreneurs and professionals dedicated to delivering risk management services and insurance solutions tailored to the needs of individuals and businesses nationwide.

At Baldwin Risk Partners, it’s not just about what they do for their clients but how they treat their employees. The company’s ethical approach to risk management results in a warm and welcoming atmosphere for employees when they join the team.

Employee recognition programs: Equity-based Compensation
Standout employee recognition features: Employees earn compensation bonuses as a reward for achieving goals in the workplace.
Employee appreciation goals: Uses an ethical and honest approach to management, making employees feel welcome when they join the company.
What employees say:
- “Great company with access to learning and development and good leaders.”
- “My boss is very open to new ideas, and I feel a great deal of trust and empowerment.”
- “I can speak my mind, offer ideas, and make suggestions — and I’m heard.”
Baldwin Risk Partners’ Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

Gorilla Glue Company

The Gorilla Glue Company has a mission: to make a wide range of high-quality, innovative, and affordable products that form a lasting bond between people and the things they build, repair, and create. The Gorilla Glue Company is proud to be based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with manufacturing and distribution sites worldwide.

The Gorilla Glue Company is an industry leader that strives to make premium products and deliver value to its customers. Gorilla Glue Company is built on strength, loyalty, and innovation.

Employee recognition programs: ‘People Committee’
Standout employee recognition features: Company-wide team-building events, cross-functional outings, ongoing focus groups, and a conversational atmosphere.
Employee appreciation goals: The ‘People Committee’ is dedicated to creating a workplace with better communication and improved employee recognition.
What employees say:
- “The ability to have a voice that is heard by all levels of the organization.”
- “The company has gone above and beyond to keep us safe this year.”
- “Leaders take the time to talk to you; everyone wants to help when they can.”
Gorilla Glue Company’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

KnowBe4

KnowBe4, the provider of the world’s largest security awareness training and simulated phishing platform offers solutions used by tens of thousands of organizations around the globe. With KnowBe4’s platform, organizations can better manage the ongoing problem of social engineering and these top cybersecurity problems.

The company’s culture is built upon a commitment to its team members and is dedicated to staying true to their core values: integrity, diligence, creativity, fun, and positivity. KnowBe4 focuses on hard work and strives to maintain an atmosphere where employees feel welcome and valued.

Employee appreciation goals: ‘Fun’ is included in the company’s mission statement, as management strives to create an atmosphere where employees feel welcome and valued.
What employees say:
- “Leaders make me feel appreciated when they tell me how my contributions are making a positive impact.”
- “There is concern for our well-being from the bottom to the top.”
- “We practice the art of feedback constantly.”
KnowBe4’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

Power Design Inc.

Power Design is a National Design Build Contractor disrupting the industry with energy and innovation. The company values growth: “We grow as a company when we grow as individuals.” And everyone who works there seems to be on the same page.

The company invests time in intentional employee recognition and career development opportunities to build a strong workforce and empower its community. Employees at Power Design can’t say enough good things about the company’s commitment to people and forward-thinking culture.

Standout employee recognition features: corporate support teams, construction apprenticeships, regular recognition, and appreciation, including on social media.
Employee appreciation goals: all unique talents are celebrated, and achievements are recognized.
What employees say:
- “I have never worked for an organization that makes me feel more wanted and appreciated than I do here.”
- “PDI does an incredible job making every team member feel like they are an integral part of the puzzle. You are supported, rewarded, and well taken care of.”
- “I have an appreciation here I have never received anywhere else.”
Power Design Inc.’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

CGI

Although CGI is one of the world’s largest business consulting and IT firms, it is serious about employee recognition. A large component of CGI’s strategy revolves around high diversity, equity, and inclusion levels. Not only does the company value employees, but it genuinely appreciates every person’s unique perspective and experience.

Employees at CGI describe their experience as inclusive, ethical, respectful, and authentic. Check out their impressive careers page for more information about the unique company culture.

Standout employee recognition features: ownership, listening, appreciation, health, and well-being benefits.
Employee appreciation goals: trust and flexibility for employees to be their best at home and work, opportunities to shape their career, feeling heard, valued, and a sense of belonging.
What employees say:
- “I feel appreciated, and I can directly impact my department.”
- “I am constantly learning new things and being allowed to grow in new roles.”
- “I feel valued as an individual, and I believe our team benefits from the value placed on diversity and inclusion.”
CGI’s Top Workplaces profile and featured awards

Top Workplaces for Appreciation

The Top Workplaces for Appreciation award celebrates high-performing companies that excel at employee recognition. Exploring these award-winning cultures is an excellent place to start if you’re looking for a great workplace and a motivating job you love.

Because the award celebrates employers of choice, it’s also the perfect resource for leaders and managers to find employee recognition inspiration and ideas. Plus, it’s a great way to stay competitive and innovative in today’s rapidly changing job market.

Find a job with companies awarded for appreciation

Looking for a new job but not sure where to start? Find more employers of choice by exploring all Top Workplaces award categories, including national, regional, industry, and culture excellence awards.

The post 6 Companies with Great Employee Recognition appeared first on Top Workplaces.

What Is Workplace Flexibility?

Energage — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 21:28:06 +0000

Today’s modern organizations know that work-life flexibility is essential for a healthy, thriving, productive culture. Some may refer to it as “flexible work arrangements” or “work-life balance.”

While the terms are often used synonymously, they don’t always mean the same thing in the eyes of company leaders. They often shudder when promoting work-life balance because it can feel like it encourages less work and more play. Work-life flexibility is not about finding balance. Instead, workplace flexibility means creating a culture where employees meet the demands of their personal lives while maintaining high levels of work performance. Flexible work arrangements include options for when, where – and how – the work gets done.

In the early days of the pandemic, many companies had to challenge convention and adopt new work practices to help employees through difficult times. Now, the value of workplace flexibility has increased for employees and job-seekers looking for a work environment that prioritizes it. Undoubtedly, workplace flexibility will continue to play an important role in organizations looking to attract talented employees in an ever-evolving work environment.

Workplace Flexibility for Employees

During the interview process, a great question to ask potential candidates is: What is workplace flexibility, and what does it mean for you? A flexible mindset is a sought-after quality among employers, and it can prove valuable for the employee as well.

When employees adopt a flexible mindset, they tend to experience lower stress levels and better overall well-being. It also enables employees to learn new skills in a changing environment, ultimately benefiting their career path down the road.

Flexibility and adaptability in the workplace can take on a lot of different forms, depending on the environment and industry you work in, but here are a few general ways employees can demonstrate flexibility:

Arrive to work early or staying later than regular working hours.
Learn new software or skills to streamline or improve a process.
Adapt to a changing role that requires additional tasks or responsibilities.
Set daily tasks aside when needed to address emerging emergencies.
Cover extra shifts or work when a co-worker is on vacation or calls out sick.
Train new employees or helping co-workers with tasks when needed.
Offer solutions rather than complaints when problems arise.
Stay up to date on industry trends.

Workplace Flexibility for Employers

Work-life flexibility has benefits that go beyond the scheduling needs of employees. It starts with encouraging managers to identify employee work styles and personal needs. Work-life flexibility requirements will differ significantly for people, and it is a good idea to create an inventory of what challenges need to be accommodated.

Managers play a vital role here, as they must adapt their communication and feedback methods to support employees through a host of challenges. Some workplace flexibility best practices to consider include:

Understanding a team member’s motivation.
Focusing on accomplishing goals rather than how the goals are achieved.
Encouraging creativity and the sharing of ideas.
Being transparent about objectives.
Creating an environment where employees feel comfortable taking time off for things that matter to them.
Providing gratitude or rewards to employees who need motivation or crave recognition.

An important note: Some companies fail to adopt a work-life flexibility mindset because they haven’t become comfortable trusting employees to perform and do their jobs.

Examples of flexible schedules

There are several ways you can help employees to achieve workplace flexibility while striving to achieve company goals, including:

Flextime: Allowing employees to work on a schedule that best suits their needs.
Part-time employment: Giving employees the option to go part-time in a good way (e.g., not as a punishment).
Condensed schedules: Changing the expected work schedule in a way that gives the employee more focused personal time (e.g., a four-day workweek).
Remote work: Creating a work environment where working from home is accepted and encouraged.
Freelancing: Allowing employees to work on a contract/project basis of their choosing.
Unlimited PTO: Encouraging employees to take the personal time they need without counting days.
Alternative scheduling: Setting non-traditional work hours (e.g., not 8 to 5) such as starting earlier or later in the day to avoid the commute or meet school schedule demands.
Telecommuting: Some employees may prefer to do their work outside the office. This flexible method establishes the same hours of work but from a remote location. Telecommuting can occur regularly or meet specific needs when weather, commitments, or other unforeseen circumstances arise.
Job sharing: In this flexible approach, two employees share a job that would usually be considered a full-time position for one employee, thus creating two part-time positions.
Permanent part-time arrangements: A part-time position where an employee doesn’t work a whole week but may work two or three full days per week.

Benefits of Workplace Flexibility

When done right, flexibility and adaptability in the workplace produce positive outcomes for the employees and broader company performance. The benefits include improved employee commitment, morale, retention, and satisfaction. To build more work-life flexibility, focus on what employees have accomplished rather than the schedule used to complete it.

Employee satisfaction and morale

Improved work/life balance contributes to employee satisfaction as well as higher morale. It improves employee engagement because individuals feel their needs matter to the organization. As a result, they are more productive at work – and more likely to refer your company to others too.

Employee retention

For employees looking for flexibility in the workplace, providing an adaptable approach can also foster a greater sense of loyalty to your organization, especially for those employees whose life circumstances may require a more flexible approach. Studies show higher engagement also leads to lower turnover. Similarly, the best companies for work-life balance benefit from higher levels of employee retention. This is especially important for talented employees who may be tempted to look for better opportunities elsewhere that consider their desire for a flexible work approach.

Employee work-life balance

Balance is one of the best benefits of flexibility in the workplace. Often, remote or hybrid employees are more satisfied with their work-life balance. Workplace flexibility allows individuals to have greater control over their schedules, enabling them to better balance their work and personal life. This flexibility can reduce the stress and time constraints associated with commuting, leading to improved overall well-being.

Increased recruitment pool

At its core, workplace flexibility is all about removing geographic barriers and letting individuals work flexible schedules. Those factors allow employers to attract a greater array of top talent. Not to mention, there a lot of remote job seekers in the current hiring market.

Improved productivity & results

Workplace flexibility enhances productivity by enabling employees to work during their most productive hours and reducing distractions. It also saves money by reducing the need for large office spaces, lowering overhead costs, and potentially increasing retention rates, which reduces recruitment and training expenses. That efficiency and extra revenue is great for your bottom line.

Challenges of workplace flexibility

Although flexibility in the workplace has many benefits, there can also be challenges. Issues like remote employee burnout and inefficient communication can also impact your bottom line. When offering workplace flexibility, keep an eye out for these common, costly challenges.

Lack of face-to-face communication

Workplace flexibility can impact face-to-face communication in several ways. In-person interactions decrease, and for some employees that can be difficult. While some individuals may find remote work more productive, others may find it hard to communicate without the body language and interpersonal connection that comes from a face-to-face conversation.

Learn more: Engage Remote Workers

Blurring work life and home life

Even though workplace flexibility has work-life balance benefits, some individuals find it hard to separate home life from work life. Often, remote employees have a hard time creating schedules, while results in longer hours and the risk of burnout.

Connecting with the bigger picture

Physical separation makes it hard for employees with flexible workplaces to connect their day-to-day activities to shared goals and company vision. Engaging remote employees with the company vision is essential to ensure they remain aligned with shared objectives. To do so, facilitate regular communication, sharing the company’s vision and goals, involving remote employees in important discussions, and recognizing their contributions. All of this can help create a sense of belonging and purpose within the organization, no matter what your work location or schedule look like.

Managing employees in a flexible workplace

In addition to checking up on employees’ progress and tasks, it’s essential to check in on your people. Micromanagement can erode employee autonomy and trust, which are key components of a successful flexible work environment. By checking in on employees, you show that you trust their abilities and are interested in their progress, fostering a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that boosts productivity and job satisfaction.

Understand What Matters to Your Team

Ultimately, there are many ways to build workplace flexibility into your culture. Companies with flexible work arrangements start by first reflecting on what’s possible, realistic, and what the company is willing to do. Regular, anonymous employee engagement surveys are a great way to gauge what your team thinks about their work environment, including work/life flexibility and if your current workplace flexibility benefits are working.

It is undeniable workplace flexibility is essential to employee engagement and retention. It’s also critical to building a thriving business structure. Energage research shows that Top Workplaces excel at building and maintaining a culture of work-life flexibility. On average, 85 percent of employees at Top Workplaces responded positively to the Workplace Survey statement, “I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life.” Recently, Energage announced the winners of the Top Workplaces national award for Culture Excellence.

Find out what matters most to your employees. Nominate your company for Top Workplaces, the recognition program that’s powered entirely by employee feedback

The post What Is Workplace Flexibility? appeared first on Top Workplaces.

13 Strategies for Employee Retention

Energage — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 21:54:12 +0000

Dive into insights from the Top Workplaces Research Lab by downloading the infographic on Employee Turnover and Retention.

An effective employee retention program is essential for companies looking to attract top talent and reduce unwanted employee turnover. It’s also critical to business performance because retaining your best employees is more efficient than recruiting, onboarding, and developing new talent.

It begins with workplace culture — every company has one. But a culture that keeps employees engaged, motivated, and committed doesn’t happen by chance. It takes intentional effort to create a people-first culture.

Based on more than a decade of workplace research, we compiled a list of 13 successful strategies for improving employee retention. These are strategies you can incorporate starting today.

We also included information about the value of employee retention and its role in developing a culture positioned for growth. So, let’s get started.

Why is employee retention important?

There are many ways employee retention strategies are beneficial to your organization. When employees want to stay with your company, a knowledgeable and experienced workforce is the result. Employee retention also saves your organization a lot of expense.

According to Forbes, the turnover cost of an entry-level job is estimated at 50 percent of the annual salary. That number increases 125 percent for mid-level employees. And for senior executives, the associated expense is as much as 200 percent!

But what’s the most significant reason you should improve employee retention? Retaining engaged employees who are motivated, productive, and willing to recommend your company to their networks.

Best employee retention strategies

The employee retention strategies best suited for your company are based on what matters most to your employees, but here are 13 proven ideas to reduce unwanted turnover and boost employee engagement.

1. Evaluate and address employee pain points

The most effective and productive way to uncover why employees want to leave is to ask them directly. Seek feedback through one-on-one conversations, team meetings, or employee engagement surveys.

Once you have captured that feedback, it’s up to you to listen and take action. In addition to gaining valuable insights, employee engagement surveys can strengthen the connection with employees who feel valued and heard.

2. Offer competitive pay and benefits

It’s no secret that competitive salaries are an attractive way to retain employees. When your workforce doesn’t have to worry about financial stability, they’re motivated to do their job and do it right.

Great benefits are equally important. They keep your workforce mentally and physically healthy. Strong benefits also help to prevent employee burnout. If you’re looking for employee retention strategies that have an immediate impact, competitive wages and benefits can be effective.

Tips for improving pay and benefits:

Understand the market
Benchmark your salaries
Offer a variety of optional benefits
Encourage feedback about pay and benefits

3. Prioritize improving employee engagement

To increase employee retention rates, focus on improving employee engagement. The two concepts are related. When employees are engaged at work, they’re far less likely to leave.

Employee engagement starts with leadership that believes in and prioritizes a people-first culture — and that begins with knowing what matters most to your employees, listening to their feedback, and taking action on that input. It’s how you create a connection that makes employees feel valued and appreciated. In return, they will bring their best to work every day.

If you have remote workers, maintaining engagement requires some unique approaches. Here are some remote employee engagement strategies that work.

4. Emphasize effective leadership and managing for retention

Poor management harms employee experience and engagement. When your workforce believes leadership fails to communicate and doesn’t understand what’s really going on, they are less likely to stick around. Putting effort into developing strong leadership and hiring the right managers is one of the most effective employee retention strategies.

5. Focus on building a people-first culture

If you’re not intentionally building and nurturing a people-first culture, you’re left with a culture that will form independently. Accidental cultures are often toxic, leaving employees feeling unsafe, uncomfortable, and undervalued. They’re also a primary reason employees choose to go.

The solution for improving company culture is to prioritize and pay attention to it every day. Employ strategies that enhance relationships throughout your organization, promote connection and inclusivity, and encourage two-way communication.

6. Improve employee work-life balance and prevent burnout

Employees look for great workplaces that respect their personal lives and prevent employee burnout. If your organization is looking for innovative employee retention strategies, pay attention to workplace flexibility and work-life balance. Done right, employees will be more productive, energized, and engaged.

To get started, here are five tips:

Consider the ways your company is willing to support workplace flexibility.
Recognize employees based on what they do, not the hours they work.
Experiment with various hybrid work models to find one that suits your company culture.
To reinforce work-life flexibility in your culture, it is essential that those at the top lead by example.
Implement strategies to prevent employee burnout.

Learn more: Ways to Deal With Burnout in the Workplace

7. Offer professional development and advancement opportunities

Your employees want to know that they’re working toward something bigger and better than where they started. They’ll look elsewhere when they sense there’s little room for growth.

Some things to consider:

Employees own their development, but they need manager support to succeed.
Help managers keep an eye out for cross-training or development opportunities with interdepartmental manager meetings.
Make sure new job opportunities are publicized within the organization.
Ensure managers are incentivized for the growth of their employees, even if it results in transitions across teams.
Consider ways to improve training and development strategies.

8. Recognize employees through positive feedback and awards

Who — and what — you celebrate tells employees a lot about the type of culture you have and the culture you want. Appreciation is a key driver of employee engagement. It’s also one of the simplest, least expensive ways to show employees they are valued.

Quick tips for incorporating employee recognition and appreciation into your culture include:

Take every opportunity to offer a sincere compliment or a simple “thank you.”
Think about the ways people prefer to be appreciated. If you don’t know, ask.
Encourage and role model a culture of peer-to-peer appreciation.

9. Encourage creativity in the workplace

Employees sometimes leave because of simple boredom. The same old work day in and day out can trigger some to search for new employment and maybe even a new career.

To prevent unwanted employee turnover, incorporate ways to encourage creativity in the workplace. Creativity makes work fun. It also encourages innovation, which is essential to growth and success.

Ideas for encouraging creativity:

Build a diverse team of people.
Start the workweek with an icebreaker or team-building activity.
Don’t be afraid to break the rules.
Use brainstorming activities to spark out-of-the-box thinking.

10. Hire the right employees and onboard effectively

Sometimes, the most talented and qualified candidate is not the best fit for the job. Hiring the right employees is the difference between a revolving door and a team that sticks around. Consider these ideas to improve your employee recruitment process.

But don’t stop there. The right hire can be wasted by a poor onboarding process. Make sure that the experience of joining your organization is an exceptional one.

11. Build an employer brand employees can be proud of

Employees want to work for a company that aligns with their personal beliefs. A strong employer brand and clear company values serve as a strong foundation that holds your company together, especially during challenging times.

Becoming an organization that makes employees proud gives them a reason to stay. Consider these ideas to boost your morale and build your employer brand:

Earn credible employer recognition as a people-first culture.
Showcase what makes your organization special and unique.
Encourage commitment across the diversity spectrum by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

12. Avoid significant and sudden changes

It’s natural for people to resist change — in their everyday lives and at work too. Jarring shifts can leave employees feeling anxious and unbalanced. Frequent changes can also cause them to pack up and leave.

While change is inevitable, avoiding big, abrupt changes is in your company’s best interests. Being transparent and communicative about what’s happening sets expectations and helps employees to feel more secure.

13. Encourage collaboration

Encouraging collaboration and team building is a great way to improve employee engagement levels. Collaborative teams are often more engaged and productive because they can rely on each other for support and motivation. That connection fosters new ideas and decreases the risk of burnout or disengagement. Just imagine how productive an organization can be when that collaboration crosses team lines and goes interdepartmental.

How to implement an employee retention strategy

With several employee retention strategies to consider, it’s time to choose those best suited for your company and then take action. How you implement your plan is just as important as choosing the steps to take.

Here’s a basic four-step outline for implementing your employee retention strategies:

Review your company’s turnover rates to assess your needs.
Base your employee retention strategies on those needs.
Establish a plan of action for implementing strategies.
Execute and evaluate your results.

Start developing your employee retention strategy

The first step in developing an employee retention strategy is to understand and address employee pain points within your organization. These insights can help to inform your actions going forward. Start by capturing honest and anonymous feedback from your employees who know your organization best.

Top Workplaces is based solely on the results of an employee engagement survey. In addition to measuring your company’s current turnover threat, you’ll also qualify for credible employer recognition.

Nominate your organization for Top Workplaces, the recognition program that’s powered entirely by employee feedback.

The post 13 Strategies for Employee Retention appeared first on Top Workplaces.