While sexual harassment at some companies have made headlines, many firms continue to demonstrate exemplary HR practices, according to "2018 Workforce 100: Ranking the World's Top Companies for HR." "Just as bad people practices sour employees on their employer, a great HR department can turn even the most difficult circumstance into an opportunity for a better workplace," Workforce writes. Related: How do 'world-class' HR departments spend their money? To determine which companies make the list, Workforce editors work with researchers from the Human Capital Media Research and Advisory Group, the publication's research arm. Companies are scored in seven core areas: workplace culture, employee benefits, diversity and inclusion, employee development and talent management, human resources innovation, leadership development, and talent acquisition. Companies are ranked higher if they are recognized across multiple core areas on well-known lists from sources such as Great Place to Work, Glassdoor, Fortune and the National Business Group on Health. "In addition, organizations that are not as heavily represented in external recognition programs are still acknowledged for their HR efforts through the posted opinions of their employees," Workforce writes.