
1. CISCO
97% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "The attention that the executive team pays to the health and welfare of the surrounding community is extraordinary. Company leadership works to ensure that the company is an active member of the communities in which we operate and are quick to provide resources to support the most vulnerable. I also am heartened by our CEO's focus on social justice issues, specificly those in support of the Black community. Before it became en vogue to do so, he was vested in listening and taking authentic strategic, meaningful actions."
(Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)

THE TOP 10 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN 2021
10. AMERICAN EXPRESS
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask the employees: "I love being a part of #teamamex. The leadership team is agile, does the right thing, and communicates a clear vision. I particularly love that Steve [Squeri, CEO] has taken a clear stance to champion inclusion and diversity - with initiatives aimed to promote women, root out unconscious bias, and support the Black community. He's also supported LGBTQ+, voting, and immigrants' rights. He sets the tone and his leadership team and leaders across the enterprise model this behavior. He is unapologetic about it and does not hedge his support - he is all in."
(Photo: Marcus Quigmire, via Wikimedia Commons)

9. CAPITAL ONE
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "CapitalOne has great benefits and a focus on using new technologies to automate our IT infrastructure and deploy services in the cloud. This is a good software development job and initially that was all I thought of it. But during the Covid-19 crisis this company not only took care of employees, but also paid third-party contractors who couldn't come to our closed offices and worked in the company cafeteria, security, and janitorial services. The company also made special allowances for customers who lost their jobs and loved ones to the pandemic. The CEO and management show that they care about people with their actions."
(Photo: Jer123/Shutterstock.com)

8. CAMDEN PROPERTY TRUST
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Just take the Pandemic for example. Not only did Camden take swift action to ensure the safety of all employees by creating avenues to work remotely from home, but they sent every employee an abundance of safety supplies including masks and antiseptic wipes. Then they created a relief fund for employees who may be dealing with extraneous circumstances such as a spouse who lost a job or paying for child care. But no, they did not stop there. They then created a fund of $10 million dollars to help residents living in our communities with financial assistance. Seriously? Who does that? Camden does!"
(Photo: ALM)

7. TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES
87% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "They listen to everyone's ideas and incorporate those they can. During COVID-19 they made sure we had PPE and encouraged us to use it to stay safe. They used to keep us all working when the pandemic census was low. They explain the whys of difficult decisions and listen to input. I practice to the full extent of my license. I am encouraged and supported but not micromanaged."
(Photo: ALM)
Advertisement

6. UKG
94% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Our approach to the pandemic was phenomenal. Management did forecasting far further out than I would have expected with a worst case scenario in mind and identified ways to make sure everyone could keep their jobs without salary reductions, then they shared those projections and committed to them. There has been clear communication every step of the way during these scary times, so I've never had to worry about my personal finances. What's more, they have made it clear that taking care of our families first is the number one priority and have provided ample time to help out as needs at home have increased, including providing resources to give kids at home camp experiences and craft supplies. None of my friends have had the kind of experience I have had the last 8 months with a caring, compassionate employer."
(Photo: ALM)

5. ROCKET COMPANIES
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "The first unique part about being with this company is the level of support we get here. Instead of getting laid off or being forced to still go to work during the pandemic, the company has gone out of their way early on to send all of us home with equipment to be able to work from home and keep our jobs. My director is always extremely helpful when I need him, the support my team provides as well is amazing. Though I have learned a lot by working from home, I feel that I'm still fully supported even without my team members right next to my side physically. The second unique part about this company itself is how much we give back to the community. I haven't seen any other business do quite what QL [Quicken Loans] has. Between donating, going out in the community to give back, donating our resources so that way we can help in any way we can during the pandemic, it is truly inspiring and has motivated me to give back much more than I normally would have."
(Photo: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg)

4. WEGMAN'S FOOD MARKETS, INC.
93% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "What makes Wegmans a great place to work are the employees going the extra mile to help our customers and communities, especially during the pandemic where we all had to come together and put in extra effort to help customers and the communities we serve get through uncertain times. It wasn't just employees stocking empty shelfs, doing extra cleaning and sanitizing around the store, and helping in other departments. It was a combination of those things that helped us get through this pandemic and will continue to get through these uncertain times. I also was very thankful for the ability to take the COVID job protected leave as I was very concerned about the risk being infected as I have two older parents in my house who could be at risk. Thank you for doing your best to keep us safe during the pandemic."
(Photo: Shutterstock)

3. HILTON
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Even in a year that our industry took an unprecedented hit from the pandemic and that we had to make some tough decisions about furloughing or letting go of some of our Team Members, all the actions were accompanied by tremendous hospitality, dignity and compassion. Whether it was extending their Go Hilton eligibility and reservations that would normally be cancelled or maintaining their Honors program longer than normal, or accelerating the preferred treatment that long tenure Team Members get on their unvested equity - each decision was made to do the best company could to help people in crisis. Equally significant was how leaders showed up during this year, enhancing their communications, showing support and empathy, not being shy of being vulnerable in front of others. Every company can be good in good years. Great companies like Hilton show what greatness is in crisis."
(Photo: Rick Kopstein)

2. SALESFORCE
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "During this pandemic, our company has shown its true colors. What the executive team has done for our communities and our country is outstanding and it makes me SO grateful every day. In fact, my employee is on the WINDforce employee group and asked our executive team if they could consider sending a large amount of PPE to a Native American tribe and guess what? The next day, they did."
(Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)
Advertisement

1. CISCO
97% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "The attention that the executive team pays to the health and welfare of the surrounding community is extraordinary. Company leadership works to ensure that the company is an active member of the communities in which we operate and are quick to provide resources to support the most vulnerable. I also am heartened by our CEO's focus on social justice issues, specificly those in support of the Black community. Before it became en vogue to do so, he was vested in listening and taking authentic strategic, meaningful actions."
(Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)

THE TOP 10 BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR IN 2021
10. AMERICAN EXPRESS
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask the employees: "I love being a part of #teamamex. The leadership team is agile, does the right thing, and communicates a clear vision. I particularly love that Steve [Squeri, CEO] has taken a clear stance to champion inclusion and diversity - with initiatives aimed to promote women, root out unconscious bias, and support the Black community. He's also supported LGBTQ+, voting, and immigrants' rights. He sets the tone and his leadership team and leaders across the enterprise model this behavior. He is unapologetic about it and does not hedge his support - he is all in."
(Photo: Marcus Quigmire, via Wikimedia Commons)

9. CAPITAL ONE
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "CapitalOne has great benefits and a focus on using new technologies to automate our IT infrastructure and deploy services in the cloud. This is a good software development job and initially that was all I thought of it. But during the Covid-19 crisis this company not only took care of employees, but also paid third-party contractors who couldn't come to our closed offices and worked in the company cafeteria, security, and janitorial services. The company also made special allowances for customers who lost their jobs and loved ones to the pandemic. The CEO and management show that they care about people with their actions."
(Photo: Jer123/Shutterstock.com)

8. CAMDEN PROPERTY TRUST
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Just take the Pandemic for example. Not only did Camden take swift action to ensure the safety of all employees by creating avenues to work remotely from home, but they sent every employee an abundance of safety supplies including masks and antiseptic wipes. Then they created a relief fund for employees who may be dealing with extraneous circumstances such as a spouse who lost a job or paying for child care. But no, they did not stop there. They then created a fund of $10 million dollars to help residents living in our communities with financial assistance. Seriously? Who does that? Camden does!"
(Photo: ALM)

7. TEXAS HEALTH RESOURCES
87% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "They listen to everyone's ideas and incorporate those they can. During COVID-19 they made sure we had PPE and encouraged us to use it to stay safe. They used to keep us all working when the pandemic census was low. They explain the whys of difficult decisions and listen to input. I practice to the full extent of my license. I am encouraged and supported but not micromanaged."
(Photo: ALM)
Advertisement

6. UKG
94% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Our approach to the pandemic was phenomenal. Management did forecasting far further out than I would have expected with a worst case scenario in mind and identified ways to make sure everyone could keep their jobs without salary reductions, then they shared those projections and committed to them. There has been clear communication every step of the way during these scary times, so I've never had to worry about my personal finances. What's more, they have made it clear that taking care of our families first is the number one priority and have provided ample time to help out as needs at home have increased, including providing resources to give kids at home camp experiences and craft supplies. None of my friends have had the kind of experience I have had the last 8 months with a caring, compassionate employer."
(Photo: ALM)

5. ROCKET COMPANIES
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "The first unique part about being with this company is the level of support we get here. Instead of getting laid off or being forced to still go to work during the pandemic, the company has gone out of their way early on to send all of us home with equipment to be able to work from home and keep our jobs. My director is always extremely helpful when I need him, the support my team provides as well is amazing. Though I have learned a lot by working from home, I feel that I'm still fully supported even without my team members right next to my side physically. The second unique part about this company itself is how much we give back to the community. I haven't seen any other business do quite what QL [Quicken Loans] has. Between donating, going out in the community to give back, donating our resources so that way we can help in any way we can during the pandemic, it is truly inspiring and has motivated me to give back much more than I normally would have."
(Photo: Emily Elconin/Bloomberg)

4. WEGMAN'S FOOD MARKETS, INC.
93% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "What makes Wegmans a great place to work are the employees going the extra mile to help our customers and communities, especially during the pandemic where we all had to come together and put in extra effort to help customers and the communities we serve get through uncertain times. It wasn't just employees stocking empty shelfs, doing extra cleaning and sanitizing around the store, and helping in other departments. It was a combination of those things that helped us get through this pandemic and will continue to get through these uncertain times. I also was very thankful for the ability to take the COVID job protected leave as I was very concerned about the risk being infected as I have two older parents in my house who could be at risk. Thank you for doing your best to keep us safe during the pandemic."
(Photo: Shutterstock)

3. HILTON
96% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "Even in a year that our industry took an unprecedented hit from the pandemic and that we had to make some tough decisions about furloughing or letting go of some of our Team Members, all the actions were accompanied by tremendous hospitality, dignity and compassion. Whether it was extending their Go Hilton eligibility and reservations that would normally be cancelled or maintaining their Honors program longer than normal, or accelerating the preferred treatment that long tenure Team Members get on their unvested equity - each decision was made to do the best company could to help people in crisis. Equally significant was how leaders showed up during this year, enhancing their communications, showing support and empathy, not being shy of being vulnerable in front of others. Every company can be good in good years. Great companies like Hilton show what greatness is in crisis."
(Photo: Rick Kopstein)

2. SALESFORCE
95% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "During this pandemic, our company has shown its true colors. What the executive team has done for our communities and our country is outstanding and it makes me SO grateful every day. In fact, my employee is on the WINDforce employee group and asked our executive team if they could consider sending a large amount of PPE to a Native American tribe and guess what? The next day, they did."
(Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)
Advertisement

1. CISCO
97% of employees say it's a great place to work.Why? Ask an employee: "The attention that the executive team pays to the health and welfare of the surrounding community is extraordinary. Company leadership works to ensure that the company is an active member of the communities in which we operate and are quick to provide resources to support the most vulnerable. I also am heartened by our CEO's focus on social justice issues, specificly those in support of the Black community. Before it became en vogue to do so, he was vested in listening and taking authentic strategic, meaningful actions."
(Photo: Jason Doiy/ALM)
So what makes a company a great place to work? For its 24th year of producing Fortune magazine's list of best companies to work for, Great Place to Work expanded its focus to include companies that went above and beyond for both their employees and their communities during the pandemic. The Oakland, Calif.-based "global authority on workplace culture" based its data on a 60/40 split: Sixty percent of each company's score came from confidential employee feedback, with particular attention to how each employee's experiences differed in terms of characteristics like job role, race/ethnicity, gender, and payroll status. The remaining 40 percent was based on programs companies created to support their employees and communities in response to COVID-19. To be considered for the list, companies were required to employ at least 1,000 U.S. employees. See our slideshow above for the best companies to work for in 2021. Read more:
NOT FOR REPRINT
© Touchpoint Markets, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more inforrmation visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
Richard Binder
Richard Binder, based in New York, is part of the social media team at ALM. He is also a 2014 recipient of the ASPBE Award for Excellence in the Humorous/Fun Department.