Comments on: 100 Best Companies to Work For

By: Kathy Manning, Columbus, Ohio

Kathy Manning, Columbus, Ohio — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:22:06 +0000

I am a health care professional working for OhioHealth, and as pointed by other OhioHealth employees, I am also puzzled by the fact that our organization is in the top 100. Pay may be good for MD and RN’s but for my particular allied health profession, our pay was the lowest in our region (15 states in the Midwest). Medical benefits have become significantly limited in the last 2 years, with only one plan available with very high deductibles. Retirement is not competitive with matching of only 2%. Number of vacation day is competitive. Culture, at least in our area, is very corrupt with emphasis on being superficial and pretending everything is great and positive, having no room for any (even constructive) criticisms or dealing with a real problem because people would rather pretend that there are no problems. I do not think that this organization value honesty and/or hard work. Saying what the organization wants to hear seem to get you promotions and acknowledgments rather than your abilities or having good work ethics. I also have seen organization retaliating against employees for blowing the whistle on ethical problems identified within the organization.

By: Brad from Waterloo, Iowa

Brad from Waterloo, Iowa — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:51:34 +0000

What about John Deere?
-401k matching of 10% of salary with employee contribution of 6%.
-Many opportunities for advancement and working abroad.
-On-site rec facilities.
-All promotion from within.
-$15k in education assistance per year.
-Flexible work day for salaried employees
-Perhaps the best: world class safety record.

By: Bill, Rochester NY

Bill, Rochester NY — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:29:29 +0000

LiDestri Foods is a great place to work! Their concern for employee health is second to none. They’re the tops in my book.

By: Chris, Washington, DC

Chris, Washington, DC — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:30:28 +0000

I agree with Shawn of VT. Stanley has jobs, but they don’t offer raises as such. They don’t give out performances appraisals. If you haven’t used your sick leave they will take it away from you or you have to cash it out. Also HR employees don’t return phone calls, emails, or letters when you have a complaint. You have to literally harrass them in order to recieve a response. Oh with Health insurance yes they’ll pay 100% for the EMPLOYEE, but the co pay and prescriptions are EXTREMELY HIGH! 40 dollars a visit when visiting a specialist. Health & Welfare is steady going up, but not the pay! One thing before I go. If you ever get terminated from Stanley they don’t care because it’s not them. Stanley worry about revenue and that’s it. If you have an issue you better et over it, and take it to and outside organization like EEOC.

By: Loyd Eskildson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Loyd Eskildson, Scottsdale, Arizona — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:36:58 +0000

Key to becoming a “Best Company to Work For” is their having a substantial, sustainable competitive advantage that allows above-average margins. That, in turn, allows nice employee perks. The “bad news” is that firms often allow their competitive advantages to be eaten away by competitors – ultimately, the employees pay.

By: Amalia, Chicago Illinois

Amalia, Chicago Illinois — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:49:22 +0000

Starbucks has in fact done a 180 since this survey. In fact, I bet if a new survey came out, Starbucks wouldn’t even be on it! I worked for the company for nearly 4 years. The last year and a half has been the worse! Although Starbucks has had an incredible turnover rate lately, the competitive benefits that they offer make up for it. I just left the company to sell insurance and so far it’s been the best decision I have ever made! I’ve made more money within the last three months selling insurance than I did in one year at Starbucks.

By: Lilbit,Williamston SC

Lilbit,Williamston SC — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:58:08 +0000

I would have to agree with you on this one. I can not believe they are in the top 100 either. 10yrs Service.

By: Joanie, Seattle, WA

Joanie, Seattle, WA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:01:32 +0000

Microsoft is the best company I have worked for. The benefits are outstanding – 100% FREE healthcare – it’s fantastic – employees pay $0 contribution from paychecks & $0 co-pays for doctor visits or prescriptions. WOW.

You are immediately 100% vested in your 401(k) as soon as you start. That’s HUGE.

As far as paid time off – 8 paid holidays plus 2 floating holidays, 3 weeks vacation per year, 2 weeks sick time…AMAZING.

I love this place!

By: Female in Minneapolis, MN

Female in Minneapolis, MN — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:37:00 +0000

I was recently offered a job at The Container Store and declined due to the pay. I was mislead by reading that Fortune states that The Container Store “has kept top entry-level pay at 50% to 100% higher than retail average”. I was offered $11 an hour and also told there was a salary freeze for a year so I shouldn’t expect an increase. Had I known what the pay was I wouldn’t have applied. What a waste of time.

By: Pete, Piscataway NJ

Pete, Piscataway NJ — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:29:32 +0000

Maybe Paychex Long Island office is overworked, but then living on Long Island is its own punishment anyway.
Maybe that’s why she’s so bitter. And she is wrong, the perks remain!

By: Mike, Phoenix, AZ

Mike, Phoenix, AZ — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:32:36 +0000

I am very surprised not to see USAA on your list.

By: Justin, Spartanburg, SC

Justin, Spartanburg, SC — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:43:54 +0000

I actually worked at Milliken & Company at their headquarters in Spartanburg, SC and I can not believe Milliken is anywhere near 100 top companies. I left within the last year and everything is still fresh in my mind. The benefits were horrible to say the least. My kid’s immunizations and physicals were not even covered by insurance and deductibles were outragoues. The systems are from 1970’s and very difficult to use. The culture is very old-fashioned and it is very difficult to get anything to change. I am not sure how they got on the list but they definately have no business being on it. And I think most of the employees there agree with me.

By: Alan Farber, Fort Lauderdale FL

Alan Farber, Fort Lauderdale FL — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:54:30 +0000

It’s good that no cruise lines have been mentioned, as they work on US territory but they claimed that they are not a US Company.

By: Russell, LaGrange, GA

Russell, LaGrange, GA — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:57:54 +0000

I see you list Milliken as having a work-out gym. Did you realize there is only one of these gyms out of the over 50 Milliken locations and it is located at the Milliken headquarters for the “top dogs” can enjoy. This one point may make it a good place to work but only for a select few. Suggest you modify your question wording to 1) how many separate sites does your comapny have, and 2) how many of those have work-out areas.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 21:28:24 +0000

Quicken Loans? Seriously? Ask someone who works their what they think! This list just lost its credibility

By: A., Houston, TX

A., Houston, TX — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:13:40 +0000

I agree with the fellow Methodist employee… here’s hoping we’ll be at #1 next year. Even outside the hospitals themselves, in areas like marketing, employees treat each other like family. This company truly lives its values.

By: Cindy, San Diego, CA

Cindy, San Diego, CA — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 01:44:42 +0000

I think Trader Joe’s should be listed. I love working there! Great benefits, too!

By: Evelyn, Thousand Oaks, CA

Evelyn, Thousand Oaks, CA — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 21:17:37 +0000

What about Amgen? It has many of the “unusual perks”, such as 5 weeks paid vacation and lots of company-subsidized events, like kayaking around the Channel Islands. It was on the list in the past…what made it drop out?

By: LaGrange, GA

LaGrange, GA — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:17:02 +0000

Dear Sirs:
I work for Milliken & Co. and have been shocked to see that you list them as one of the top 100 companies to work for. Who do you interview in the company? Certainly no one outside of the ivory tower headquarters in Spartanburg, SC. Honestly, for Milliken to have this rating is a joke among the employees inside the company. Please take a closer look on your next years evaluation!

Regards,
Russell

By: hidden, redmond, wa

hidden, redmond, wa — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:14:33 +0000

I am surprised to see MSFT at 86, I think its an awesome place to work ! I love every aspect of working here.