Some companies are legendary for how fantastic they are to work at. (Google, anyone?)
But little-known companies can also inspire employee approval and even pride. It's not just parental leave or free food or exceptional health insurance that makes these workplaces awesome. But employee benefits are still an important part of the picture.
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To find out what companies are the top workplaces, Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work for its annual 100 Best Companies to Work For list. How did they decide?
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Employee surveys counted for two-thirds of a company's score. These surveys randomly sampled employees from each company, asking questions based on such things as employee opinions about management, employee attitude, and workplace camaraderie.
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Company culture audits counted for one third of a company's score. These audits focused on more concrete things such as benefits, pay, communications, training, recognition, and diversity efforts.
Interestingly, some of the benefits touted by the higher-ranked companies really aren't that earthshaking–giving employees discounts at the company cafeteria? Taking them to baseball games? Come on.
Part of it must be the more intangible "culture" characteristics that keep employees engaged and happy. Still, a high match on 401(k) plans, flexible hours, and 100 percent health insurance don't hurt, do they?
Which companies are the top companies to work for–and why? See Fortune's list for yourself and decide, but here's our take on the benefits that may have helped these top 25 make the grade.
Type of industry: Health care, hospitals
U.S. employees: 14,792
Headquarters: Coral Gables, Florida
Some reasons to work here: It has won awards for best regional hospital (US News & World Report) and most ethical company (Ethisphere Institute). This health care system offers employee benefits that include on-site child care at various facilities, free online and on-site educational offerings, a fund that provides interest-free loans to employees who need help for an unusual or unexpected financial crisis, and an employee wellness program that includes free on-site employee clinics, free fitness centers, a health management program, and more.
24. ARI
Type of industry: Fleet (cars, trucks) management
U.S. employees: 1,456
Headquarters: Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
Some reasons to work here: Phrases describing this employer include "collaborative atmosphere" and "family-like culture." ARI's focus on employee development, its internal employee engagement and empowerment program and its 100-percent tuition reimbursement program have drawn praise. And last but not least, it's lauded for its support of work-life balance.
23. Salesforce
Type of industry: Cloud computing, including customer relationship management (CRM) tool
U.S. employees: 11,723
Headquarters: San Francisco
Some reasons to work here: Offers 50 percent 401(k) match of employee's contribution, up to 6 percent of an employee's salary. Tuition reimbursement is offered up to $5,250. All employees get six days of paid time off every year to volunteer and when that's completed the Salesforce Foundation awards them a $1,000 grant to donate to the nonprofit of their choice. Onboarding for new employees includes a day of executive keynotes, employee services and resource groups, a volunteer activity in the community, networking breakfast and lunch and happy hour.
22. Hilcorp
Type of industry: Oil and gas producer
U.S. employees: 1,400
Headquarters: Houston
Some reasons to work here: The company offers bonuses, noting that "during the past five years, employees have received an average of 36 percent of their base salary." Several years ago, when employees met stretch goals including doubling equity value, net production, and reserves, each eligible employee received $100,000. Retirement wise, the company offers 100-percent match of an employee's 401(k) contribution, up to 6 percent of an employee's salary. An incentive program offers employees the chance to participate in company projects and get a share in the return.
21. Stryker
Type of industry: Medical devices
U.S. employees: 12,579
Headquarters location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Reasons to work here: Like many of the award winners, the company offers compressed work weeks, telecommuting, and job sharing. However, tuition reimbursement is higher than most, at up to $15,000. For retirement, the company matches $0.50 for every dollar contributed by an employee to the 401(k) plan, up to 8 percent of their eligible wages. Each year the company makes a voluntary discretionary contribution to employees' 401(k) plans, putting 7 percent of their salary and bonus into their 401(k).
Type of industry: Boutique hotels, restaurants
U.S. employees: 7,754
Headquarters location: San Francisco
Reasons to work here: This company offers fully paid sabbaticals. How cool is that? But they're only for senior managers and they have to promise to "unplug." The company also offers back-up care for employees who have children and, interestingly, for those taking care of a parent. It also offers up to six weeks of parental leave.
19. NuStar Energy
Type of industry: Oil pipeline and terminal operator
U.S. employees: 1,235
Headquarters location: San Antonio, Texas
Reasons to work here: Their "no-layoffs" policy is a good start. The company also offers a 100-percent 401(k) match of employee's contribution, up to 6 percent of an employee's salary and 100-percent health insurance coverage of dependents.
Type of industry: Medical staffing
U.S. employees: 1,833
Headquarters location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Reasons to work here: Its on-site health centers are also available to employees and their families—and here's the cool part: Non-emergency office visits are free, whether or not they're enrolled in CHG's medical plan, and there's no need to use PTO for appointments.
Type of industry: Construction, real estate
U.S. employees: 1,336
Headquarters location: Houston
Reasons to work here: The company offers profit sharing, and like a few others on the list, it also offers sabbaticals—full time workers with 10 continuous years of service are eligible for up to six weeks of sabbatical, along with a monetary grant to use for activities, travel, or education. Employees and their immediate families get a discount on a new home. Retirement is 100 percent 401(k) match of employee's contribution, up to 8 percent of an employee's salary. The company provides college scholarships for employees' children.
Type of industry: Engineering
U.S. employees: 4,973
Headquarters location: Kansas City, Missouri
Reasons to work here: The write-up on Burns & McDonnell notes: "Employee ownership is automatic, and the company makes annual contributions to everyone's accounts so that some of the long-term, lowest-paid staff are among the largest shareholders. (No one owns more than 2%.)" A new wellness program offers wellness events, health coaching, online and on-site classes, and discounts as incentives.
Type of industry: Cloud-based human capital management
U.S. employees: 2,547
Headquarters location: Weston, Florida
Reasons to work here: The company offers matching 401(k) contributions at a rate of 35 percent with no cap on the matching amount, and it does so every pay period rather than at year's end. It pays 100 percent of the health insurance premium for all employees and their dependents. And all new hires get restricted stock units when they join the company.
Type of industry: Household storage products
U.S. employees: 4,281
Headquarters location: Coppell, Texas
Reasons to work here: The company offers 100 percent 401(k) match of an employee's salary, up to 4 percent of an employee's contribution. When employees reach 20 years with the company, they're offered two airplane tickets to anywhere in the U.S. and $1,000 in spending money. And part-time workers are eligible for health insurance.
13. Nugget Market
Type of industry: Grocery
U.S. employees: 1,555
Headquarters location: Woodland, California
Reasons to work here: The company pays 100 percent of health coverage for employees, and part-time workers are eligible after 22 hours a week.
Type of industry: Synthetic fabric manufacture
U.S. employees: 6,579
Headquarters location: Newark, Delaware
Reasons to work here: After a year of service, workers become shareholders in Gore through a stock ownership program that contributes the equivalent of 12 percent of pay to each worker's account. Interestingly, every Gore worker, no matter their role or tenure, has a sponsor who acts as a resource and guide with an interest in that worker's success. Part-time workers get benefits after 20 hours a week.
11. Genentech
Type of industry: biotechnology
U.S. employees: 13,704
Headquarters location: San Francisco
Reasons to work here: Sabbaticals (full-time, regular employees are eligible after six years for a six-week paid sabbatical), tuition reimbursement up to $10,000, compressed work weeks, on-site childcare, 100 percent 401(k) match of employee's contribution, up to 4 percent of an employee's salary. Some Google-esque perks include bike storage room and lockers and showers, and the willingness to pay employees who cycle to work $12 each day they do so.
10. Edward Jones
Type of industry: Financial services
U.S. employees: 38, 693
Headquarters location: St. Louis, Missouri
Reasons to work here: The firm hosts regional gatherings at resorts for employees and their families. Paid time off to volunteer and $5,000 tuition reimbursement are typical benefits.
Type of industry: Apartment property management
U.S. employees: 1,747
Headquarters location: Houston
Reasons to work here: The company offers 100 percent 401(k) match of employee's salary, up to 4 percent of an employee's contribution. Workers who live in Camden properties get 20 percent discount on rent. The company offers scholarships to employee children. Employees can purchase company stock shares at a 15 percent discount through payroll deduction and/or lump sum payment.
8. SAS
Type of industry: Software
U.S. employees: 6,859
Headquarters location: Cary, North Carolina
Reasons to work here: The company offers on-site childcare, job sharing, telecommuting, and meals at subsidized prices in campus cafes. An on-site health care center offers care to employees and dependents, with no co-pays, co-insurance or other out-of-pocket costs and services include primary care, pediatric and adult services, diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and more. A free on-site recreation and fitness and wellness center includes an Olympic-size pool, aerobic studios, basketball courts and more. Part-time workers get health care coverage after 20 hours a week.
7. Kimley-Horn
Type of industry: Engineering/environmental sciences consulting
U.S. employees: 2, 272
Headquarters location: Cary, North Carolina
Reasons to work here: This firm pays 100 percent of health care benefits, offers health insurance to part-time workers. Bonuses and retirement contributions include a two-to-one 401(k) match up to 4 percent of salary and a profit-sharing contribution. It offers flexible and compressed work week schedules. An intriguing twist on the cafeteria food benefit: Employees get six lunch coupons annually to take an employee guest out to lunch.
Type of industry: Financial services
U.S. employees:3,058
Headquarters location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reasons to work here: This company offers support for transgender reassignment—its insurance will provide up to $75,000 for such things as gender reassignment surgery, hormone therapy, and more. Flexible work arrangements are also offered, including compressed work weeks and remote work. Employees are eligible to buy stock in the company if they meet basic criteria.
Type of industry: Online lender
U.S. employees:11,504
Headquarters location: Detroit
Reasons to work here: The company offers 50 percent 401(k) match of employee's contribution, up to 50 percent of an employee's salary. And it partnered with other large Detroit businesses to offer housing incentives to live in downtown Detroit, such as a $3,500 rental stipend and assistance with buying a home. Part-time workers are eligible for health insurance.
Type of industry: Supermarket chain
U.S. employees: 44,272
Headquarters location: Rochester, New York
Reasons to work here: "Weggies" inspires fond memories by those who worked here in high school (among them, this writer's youngest brother). Wellness initiatives (health screenings, tobacco cessation, subsidized Weight Watchers, yoga and other activities), flexible schedules, and an interest in employee development are typical of this family-owned grocery chain.
Type of industry: Global consultancy
U.S. employees: 3,023
Headquarters location: Boston
Reasons to work here: This company offers 100 percent paid health insurance. In fact, the company notes, "Without paying any monthly premium, all BCG employees, regardless of role or tenure, receive comprehensive health care coverage with an average co-pay of $5 or less. Under this health care plan, emergency room visits are even free." Besides sabbaticals and compressed work weeks, the company offers such perks as its "Ambassador Program," where consultants at BCG can "live abroad and work in another BCG office for one year," as well as other intriguing programs.
Type of industry: Insurance
U.S. employees: 1,110
Headquarters location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Reasons to work here: Many will not be swayed by the four ping-pong tables and free popcorn at headquarters—still, the company does offer unlimited tuition reimbursement. The company's 401(k) program features an 8 percent contribution to all employee accounts, regardless of personal contributions. A profit-sharing bonus is offered, typically in two parts–as a check and as an additional contribution to 401(k) accounts. Wellness is important—an on-site fitness facility offers fitness classes and the company hosts a Weight Watchers at Work program.
1. Google
Type of industry: Advertising, search, marketing
U.S. employees: n/a
Headquarters location: Mountain View, California
Reasons to work here: Like many of these companies on this list, Google has been recognized for its workplace culture and benefits many times. Last year it added more health care coverage with virtual doctor visits, second-opinion services, and breast-cancer screenings at headquarters. Legendary perks include three prepared organic meals a day, free personal-fitness classes, "on-site oil changes, haircuts, spa truck, bike-repair truck, nap pods, free on-site laundry rooms, and subsidized wash and fold." Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks, the opportunity to attend in-person talks by internationally known artists, politicians, and celebrities speaking at Google, and presumably, just the ability to say "I work at Google" are reasons enough for many to remain happy Googlers.
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