You’d think the best place to work in America would be some sleek tech company with free meals, nap pods, and the other enviable perks. But no. According to a Forbes survey that covers hundreds of thousands of employees across the U.S., it’s your neighborhood grocery store.
Trader Joe’s took the top spot. As you process the surprise, let’s look into the reasons for that.
Why Trader Joe’s is ahead
Trader Joe’s scored a perfect 100. It is absolutely not because it’s flashy, but because employees actually like working there.
We’re talking ~7% average annual wage increases, health benefits, retirement benefits and clear paths to move up.
Trader Joe’s has built a reputation around actually treating employees well. And then, there’s the part where there is no self-checkout at the store and it’s humans working it.
Meanwhile, Big Tech is still Big Tech
Tech companies did not disappear from the list, with Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia ranking highly. Seven of the top 20 large employers are tech companies, which isn’t surprising. The perks are strong, the pay is high, and the brand power is still there.
But it’s not all roses.
Take Nvidia, for example. 90% if employees would recommend it. While it racked up strong scores for culture and values, its scores for work-life balance was lower.
So, great place to work, depending on how much life you want to actually have.
The midsize companies are doing their own thing
Once you step away from the tech titans, the leaderboard gets more eclectic. Toll Brothers (homebuilding) snagged the top spot, while Patagonia proved that saving the planet is still a top-tier benefit. Even Spotify is listed as a top company to work for.
The bottom line: – you don’t need a “Chief People Officer” or a meditation room to win. Turns out, competitive pay and actually treating employees like adults is the ultimate “disruptor.”
Source: Visual Capitalist