Designing our work experience

Earlier this year Fortune magazine published it's annual list of the 100 best companies to work for in the U.S. Results are based on surveying employees. Sure, not all companies have jets or yachts to share with employees but there is still plenty to learn from reading the company snapshots.

The reasons these companies have been nominated as great places to work by those that work there are:

1. Good rewards
   • incentives, profit sharing, bonuses, above average pay for industry
2. Strong and clear company mission
3. Benefits
   • health insurance, health programs, childcare facilities, generous leave, workplace flexibility, other perks
4. Physical work environment
   • food, access to services like dry cleaning, even walking tracks
5. People
   • considered recruitment efforts, long tenure of employees
6. Culture
   • recognition of excellence, adherance to, and evaluation based on values, fun incentives, games and events, happiness commitees, herograms, "no jerk" culture
7. Feedback
   • Staff suggestions implemented, feedback mechanisms and forums in place
8. Visible leadership
   • Leaders touching base with employees regularly or based on high performance of teams
9. No layoffs
   • The US has faced tough economic times recently. Many companies on this list avoided lay-offs 
10. Career paths
    • Progression plans, internal promotion, investment in training and education
11.  Acknowledging role of families
    • Inclusion of families in company events, acknowlegement of their contribution supporting employees

To see all the company snapshots go to: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/best-companies/2012/snapshots/1.html

Gienda Kwek of smh.com.au reports that workplace loyalty is diminishing due to less commitment on the part of employers to their employees with increased use of contractors and casuals. Dr Rafferty of the University of Sydney's Workplace Research Centre notes that the risk of employment security once shared between workers and employers is now being shifted onto employees. Job security is now a top concern of employees and HR departments are responding in turn to keep talent.

"We have noticed that the retention of good people is such a critical HR focus at the moment. I see a little bit of focus of energy and investment by employers of all industries ... and by doing that, they are offering a very wide variety of job benefits, from the traditional gym memberships and days off for charity work."