Keys to creating a Best Places work environment

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What does it take to be a Best Places to Work in Connecticut?

There's no single standard.

It takes an organization that is not only successful in growing its business and satisfying customers, but also grooming its workforce.

It's a company that invests in its employees, not only offering competitive pay and benefits, but a roadmap to future growth and a work environment that promotes collaboration and even fun.

Let's face it, the day-to-day grind of the working world can be challenging and sometimes even mundane, but it is the companies that are able to consistently motivate their workers — and maintain employee loyalty — that are able to get ahead and retain and attract top talent.

Hartford Business Journal's 2016 Best Places to Work are a hodgepodge of technology companies, marketing firms, nonprofits, law and engineering firms, financial service companies, etc.

While they all compete in different industries they each have created work environments that promote productivity, enthusiasm and even levity.

Whether it's offering weekly, monthly or annual bonuses or recognitions, work-life balance flexibility, continuing-education incentives, fun social gatherings, or even a place for employees to exercise, these companies know how to engender positive feelings from their workers.

As you read their profiles in the pages that follow, think about how your company can incorporate some of their tactics to improve the workplace environment.

Because at the end of the day the most important asset any company can invest in, is its people.

– Greg Bordonaro, Editor

How the ranking process works

Now in its 11th year, the Best Places to Work in Connecticut program was created by the Hartford Business Journal and Best Companies Group to identify and recognize best places to work in the state of Connecticut. The program is managed by Best Companies Group, a third-party research firm that manages similar programs all over the United States and in Canada.

The Best Places to Work in Connecticut program was open to all public or privately-held organizations, either for-profit or not-for-profit. To be eligible for consideration, companies must have had a total of 15 or more employees working in the state of Connecticut. Companies with headquarters in another state, but with 15 or more employees working in Connecticut, were also eligible. Participation in this program required organizations to go through a workplace assessment process, which included surveying their employees, as well as taking an inventory of the company benefits, policies and offerings. The information was processed and analyzed by Best Companies Group and then used to determine the Best Places to Work in Connecticut.

All participating companies went through a two-part workplace assessment process. Part one of the assessment (worth 25 percent of the evaluation) consisted of a employer questionnaire about benefits, policies, practices, and other general information. Part two of the assessment (75 percent of the evaluation) consisted of a 72-question, confidential employee engagement and satisfaction survey. This comprehensive, two-part assessment allowed the workplace experts at Best Companies Group to perform an in-depth analysis of each company's strengths and weaknesses and ultimately determine which companies deserved to make the list. Susan Springer, Best Companies Group Director of Workplace Assessments, managed the overall analysis process.

Companies received the in-depth employee feedback report, which showed the percent of positive responses for each of the 72 questions, along with the percent of positive responses within seven demographic categories (gender, age, ethnicity, duration of employment, full- or part-time status, job role, and department). Companies received state benchmarking reports in which they could compare themselves against list-making companies and all participating companies.

More information about Best Companies Group is available at www.BestCompaniesGroup.com. Information on the Best Places to Work in Connecticut program can be found at www.bestplacestoworkinct.com.

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