Top Companies for Work/Life Balance
by Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)
The issue of work/life balance presents challenges for employers as well as employees. As there is no one-size-fits-all set of benefits that would satisfy all employees, the smart companies—and the ones that are successful—are the ones that put in place a smorgasbord of benefits that support employees in their quest to juggle home and work responsibilities.
Within its 100 Best Companies list, Fortune magazine highlights ten companies that have created cultures and offered benefits that afford their employees the best work/life balance. Interestingly, although many of the 100 Best Companies were from the Fortune 500, only one Fortune 500 company was among the best companies for work/life balance in 2008. The Great Places to Work Institute in San Francisco, which assembles the annual Best Companies list for Fortune, notes a strong correlation between a high-quality work environment and business success. It is no wonder then that companies seem to be working harder than ever to lure and keep some of the top and rising talent.
The companies on the work/life balance list:
1. Edward Jones (#4) is a financial service giant that offers paid sabbaticals, job sharing, shortened workweeks and telecommuting to its staff of over 30,000 in the U.S.
2. Recreational Equipment Inc. (#34), based in Kent, WA, marked its 10th year on the list. REI is a national retail cooperative providing quality outdoor gear and clothing. They offer generous sabbaticals starting at 4 paid weeks after 15 years of service, as well as same-sex partner benefits, telecommuting and shortened workweeks.
3. Shared Technologies (#25), a total solutions provider specializing in voice, data and converged technologies boasts employee loyalty and retention nearly unparalleled on the list.
4. Johnson Financial Group (#37), based in Racine, WI, provides six weeks paid paternity leave, graduate tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000 a year), and child-care reimbursement when employees travel. The corporate culture supports job-sharing, telecommuting and flexible workweeks as well, allowing associates to “create harmony between their personal priorities and career commitments.”
4. David Weekley Homes (#17) is the third largest privately owned homebuilder in America. They attribute their financial success to a happy team and a dedication to core values.
5. MITRE (#42) is a not-for-profit organization manages three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): one for the Department of Defense (known as the DoD Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence FFRDC), one for the Federal Aviation Administration (the Center for Advanced Aviation System Development), and one for the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the Center for Enterprise Modernization). Mitre offers up to $20,000 in tuition reimbursement and bonuses for advanced degrees. They also offer job sharing, flexible workweeks and telecommuting to their employees.
7. David Evans & Associates (#73) – In addition to 100% health care coverage, on-site fitness, gym reimbursement, and the trifecta—job sharing, flexible workweeks and telecommuting—all employees earn overtime, whether salaried or full-time.
8. Devon Energy – (#48) Devon provides generous bonuses to its employees. This oil and gas exploration and production company, headquartered in Oklahoma City, is the only Fortune 500 company to make the 10 Best list this year.
9. Nugget Markets (#12) – This family-owned grocery store chain, based in Woodland, CA, offers domestic partner benefits, as well as a warm, friendly employee environment.
10. SAS Institute (#29) offers onsite childcare for 600 children in one of its four centers. The cost? A relatively inexpensive $350/month. They also offer 100% paid healthcare coverage and on-site fitness, job sharing, flextime and telecommuting.
