Fortune’s Best Companies To Work For Prioritize The Employee Experience

Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For highlights businesses that not only pay well, but also focus on providing workers with the support needed in everyday life. 

Although updated work policies emerged due to the pandemic, many companies are entering the post-pandemic era and implementing these benefits permanently. The organizations that topped Fortune’s list are embracing perks including flexible working, remote arrangements, financial health services, childcare, expanded sick leave, and more. 

“Employees are setting boundaries around work time and workplace that’s not going to revert back in six or nine months,” said Julie Stone, a managing director of Willis Towers Watson’s North American health and benefits group.   

While Big Tech has historically topped the list, businesses from various industries have also emerged thanks to their newfound focus on healthy company culture.  

For instance, home construction firm David Weekley Homes, which ranked number 9, offers full-time employees a 401(k) plan, a profit-sharing program, new-home discounts, and college scholarships for employees’ children. 

Cisco Systems, which ranked number 1 for the second year in a row, has focused on reducing mental health stigma in the workplace. For instance, Cisco employees can gain access to free counseling sessions. The company also launched Day for Me, which provides workers with more paid vacation days a year.  

“Day for Me is a way for the company to say, ‘Hey, everyone step away,’ knowing that it truly gives our people a break,” said Fran Katsoudas, chief people, policy, and purpose officer at Cisco. 

The focus on mental health was seen across many of the companies featured on Fortune’s list. Law firm Orrick, which was ranked 13, started offering workers 40 hours of “unplugged time” last spring to discourage employees from working on weekends.