Building a strong workplace culture requires intention, planning and agility at a time when the foundations of work are experiencing seismic change.
Labor markets are shifting, workplaces can be in the office, at home or both, and employee expectations are transforming. Retaining current team members and attracting new ones is a challenge and employees have newfound freedoms and responsibilities.
One major challenge lies in where the workplace is located. The KPMG CEO Outlook Survey found 64% of global leaders predict a return to the office by 2026. But the consulting firm McKinsey discovered that when workers are offered flexibility in a new role, 87% took the offer.
Finding success in the marketplace while balancing all of these factors is no small feat.
Against that backdrop, some Madison-area firms found solid, lasting footings. This sixth edition of Top Workplaces spotlights their accomplishments as places where people find company support, work-life balance, excellent benefits and top-notch managers.
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The Wisconsin State Journal — partnering with Pennsylvania-based Energage, an employee engagement and workplace improvement research firm — today celebrates a strong crop of companies that put extra effort into creating high-performing workplaces.
“Madison’s strong and growing economy depends on building creative, supportive and rewarding workplaces,” said Kelly Lecker, editor of the State Journal. “Top Workplaces spotlights the innovative approaches of those organizations and inspires others to follow suit.”
Top Workplaces affords organizations a chance to be recognized for creating excellent workplaces and to raise their profiles in the community.
“Being honored with a Top Workplaces award is a distinctive mark of excellence, setting companies apart in a recognizable way,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “Top Workplaces embody the highest standards, and this award, rooted in authentic employee feedback, is a point of immense pride.”
At a time when talented employees are treasured by organizations, Top Workplaces also plays a role, said Rubino.
“Top Workplaces awards are a powerful tool for companies to attract exceptional talent,” he said. “They showcase distinctive culture strengths and communicate a clear message to potential recruits: ‘This is a place where you can thrive and excel.’”
Energage surveyed 19,401 employees at area firms and identified 70 organizations as Top Workplaces.
Overall, employees surveyed in the Madison area were positive about their organizations’ values, felt included as part of a team, and felt that they have managers who care about their concerns. They also gave companies high marks for feeling appreciated and for working for firms that are going in the right direction.
Some firms have been remarkably consistent in their rankings. Five companies — Kwik Trip, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, The Douglas Stewart Co., Horizon Develop Build Manage and Palmer Johnson Power Systems — have been named to the Top Workplaces list for six years running. Another seven firms have made the list in five of the six years.
The companies in this year’s survey spanned construction, software development, biotechnology, engineering, finance, and many other sectors. Their workplace cultures are as diverse as their products and services, but all have won the confidence of their employees by creating supportive places to work.
Check out this year’s section to learn more about the winners, their approaches, and how workplace culture translates to marketplace success.
