The top 10 companies for worker satisfaction
Our exclusive Monster•kununu Workplace Happiness Index ranks U.S. companies that have the highest worker satisfaction, so you can find a job that puts a smile on your face.
It’s Monday morning and you jump out of bed before your alarm goes off, eager to get back to that job you absolutely love. Wait, are you dreaming this?
Imagine if you were that excited to get to work. Sounds crazy, we know. But it’s definitely possible: Some best-in-class companies understand the value of worker satisfaction (after all, a happy worker is a productive one). These businesses are heavily investing in creating an “employer brand” that will keep workers smiling and loyal, from free lunches to napping pods to great 401(k) matching.
To understand what actually makes workers happiest, we at Monster recently polled our users and asked them to rank the workplace factors most important to their career satisfaction, aside from salary. The top answers might surprise you: No. 1 was good work-life balance (40%), followed by work they can be proud of (20%) and career development (14%).
Then we took this data a step further, and worked with our partners at employer-review site kununu to create the first ever Monster•kununu Workplace Happiness Index. Using kununu’s 18 key dimensions of workplace satisfaction, we identified the companies with the highest overall level of worker happiness. Then, through an exclusive Monster analysis of data from the TalentNeuron tool from insights and technology company CEB we culled job market analysis on hiring history at these companies, and matched it with job listings on Monster.
The winners are a diverse mix that crosses the industrial spectrum—from IT companies to fast food. But don’t just take our word that these are great companies to work for. Take it from the people who know the best: current and former employees who left reviews on kununu’s site. See if you too might be happy working at one of the companies below.
1. OMNI Systems
Corporate headquarters: Richmond Heights, Ohio
What they do: OMNI Systems is one of the largest, privately owned label converters in the U.S.
Number of jobs in 2017: 5
Frequently hiring for: Printing press operators, business development sales executives
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that OMNI Systems is a “dynamic company to work for” that “gives you the opportunity to expand on your abilities and grow with the company.” And the company’s leadership seems to be a huge reason that the employees are happy. The CEO and founder of OMNI Systems is a “fantastic leader with vision” who is willing to take risks, but also “shows a sincere interest in employees” and “lends support and guidance to assist in achieving success.”
Find printing jobs on Monster.
2. Berkshire Hathaway
Corporate headquarters: Omaha, Nebraska
What they do: Run by the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway serves as a holding company for a multitude of businesses, including Helzberg Diamonds, Kraft Heinz, and the residential real estate broker HomeServices of America.
Number of jobs in 2017: 17,579
Frequently hiring for: Real estate agents, customer service representatives, claims examiner, auditors, accountants
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that “being an employee of one of the most respected companies in the world,” you get to work with a “fun group, great leader, diverse co-workers” who are “flexible” and “caring.”
Find jobs at Berkshire Hathaway on Monster.
3. REI
Corporate headquarters: Kent, Washington
What they do: The country’s largest consumer cooperative, REI has stores throughout the country that sell sporting goods, camping gear, travel equipment, and clothing.
Number of jobs in 2017: 2,011
Frequently hiring for: Retail sales, customer service representatives, retail supervisors, marketing managers
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers describe REI as a “very welcoming job environment,” and add that “REI is a family and we share some of the same hobbies. We are constantly being challenged and inspired.” So it might not be uncommon for you and your co-workers to, say, go on a weekend hike or hit the ski slopes together. As far as work goes, though, right from the start, “they take new hires seriously and train staff well.” Oh, “and they have amazing discounts and benefits.”
4. Progressive Insurance
Corporate headquarters: Mayfield, Ohio
What they do: One of the largest auto insurers in the U.S., Progressive also insures homes, boats, motorcycles, and RVs.
Number of jobs in 2017: 1,803
Frequently hiring for: Claims adjusters, customer service representatives, lawyers, paralegals, insurance sales agents
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that Progressive is a “caring environment,” and that they are “proud to work for” the insurance company because “they are interested in your development and encourage moving up, learning new things, and other career enhancements” and they “stay true to the core.”
Find jobs at Progressive Insurance on Monster.
5. Kaiser Permanente
Corporate headquarters: Oakland, California
What they do: Kaiser Permanente is a nonprofit group-practice health plan, with aspirations to be the world leader in improving health through high-quality integrated health care, according to its website.
Number of jobs in 2017: 29,862
Frequently hiring for: Registered nurses, medical service managers, medical assistants, management analysts, pharmacists
Why they’re on the list: The “mission, the culture, the people,” as well as “great pay and benefits” are some of the things reviewers say they love about the health care network. At Kaiser, “safety and employee health are emphasized,” which could be why some say it’s the “best place to work.”
Find jobs at Kaiser Permanente on Monster.
6. Unites States Army
Corporate headquarters: Arlington, Virginia
What they do: The U.S. Army is one of the three military departments within the Department of Defense.
Number of jobs in 2017: 152,811
Frequently hiring for: computer support specialists, petroleum engineers
Why they’re on the list: The U.S. Army is “unlike anything you will find anywhere in the civilian world.” Workers love “the cohesive team building through mutual trust that was galvanized and established through the combat missions” and the “difficulty of the work itself.” Plus, they also love the “job security, health insurance, government quarters, travel, and assignment-based pay incentives” that the Army offers.
Find jobs at United States Army on Monster.
7. TJX Companies
Corporate headquarters: Framingham, Massachusetts
What they do: TJX is an international fashion and home décor retail conglomerate, which owns the Marshalls, HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and Sierra Trading Post brands.
Number of jobs in 2017: 5,419
Frequently hiring for: Store managers, loss prevention customer service associates
Why they’re on the list: Working at TJX you “become family”—a family that takes “pride in our store and a personal interest in its success.” Not to mention, “each store is given a monthly allowance to celebrate employee birthdays or other fun observations!”
Find jobs at TJX Companies on Monster.
8. In-N-Out Burger
Corporate headquarters: Irvine, California
What they do: In-N-Out Burger is a popular fast food hamburger chain that operates in six states.
Number of jobs in 2017: 111
Frequently hiring for: Butchers, travel and events supervisors, IT financial analysts
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that “it’s a positive and friendly environment” where “everyone has respect and confidence about what we do.” Co-workers become like family, as they “all care deeply for one another” and “always help each other out no matter what.” As for the work itself, you’ll always be “doing something different,” which employees say, “keeps [them] on [their] toes and ensures that [they] are never bored on the job.”
Find jobs at In-N-Out Burger on Monster.
9. Delta Air Lines
Corporate headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia
What they do: Delta is the second largest U.S. airline.
Number of jobs in 2017: 1,984
Frequently hiring for: Reservation and ticket agents, marketing managers, customer service agents
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that it’s “a wonderful company,” Delta gives off a “family atmosphere” where “the pay is great, the company is understanding, and the appreciation shown for the employees, as a whole, is amazing.”
Find all jobs at Delta Air Lines on Monster.
10. Wawa
Corporate headquarters: Media, Pennsylvania
What they do: Wawa operates convenience retail stores in six states plus the District of Columbia.
Number of jobs in 2017: 970
Frequently hiring for: customer service associates, night supervisors
Why they’re on the list: Reviewers say that “the culture of the company,” and the fact that the company “appreciates you and your work” are the top reasons for satisfaction. Employees say they “have had some of the most fun [they] have ever had at a job.” Others rank the company high because “they take care of their people with competitive wages and programs that make it worth staying.”
Find jobs at Wawa on Monster.
Methodology:
The Monster-kununu Workplace Happiness Index includes industry data provided by kununu from August 2016 to July 2017. Reviews on kununu are broken down into 18 key dimensions of workplace satisfaction with each dimension assigned a star rating. The above information takes into account the average of those ratings over a 12-month period. Only companies with a minimum of 15 reviews were considered.
Want to help other people choose a career or employer? Rate your company on kununu.