Corrections or additions?
This article was prepared for the January 30, 2002 edition of U.S.
1 Newspaper. All rights reserved.
Progress for Employees: Best Places to Work
Every year Fortune magazine compiles a list of the 100
Best Companies to Work For, based on a survey of randomly selected
employees and Fortune’s own evaluation of a "culture audit."
This year only one of central New Jersey’s high profile corporations
made the cut — Johnson & Johnson at number 98. But more than a
dozen of the Best 100 Companies to Work For have offices or outlets
in our backyard. For job hunters, or job hoppers, here’s the Fortune
scorecard:
Edward Jones. Cultivating a reputation as a stockbroker
with small town values, the company avoided lay-offs last year, and
also paid year-end bonuses a week early.
Johnson & Johnson. The health care company, based in
New Brunswick, mandates fair treatment of its employees, provides
gyms, and day care facilities, and starts factory workers at $32,379
a year.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc.The Wall Street firm, with a
division on Mount Lucas Road, gave $10 million to relief efforts
and provided counseling to its own employees after September 11.
Charles Schwab Corporation. The discount broker won
praise for handling lay-offs with empathy, and sincerity and generous
severance packages.
A.G. Edwards.In December, the brokerage announced its
first-ever lay-offs, but, again, good communication kept it in its
employees good graces. Robert Bagby, the company’s CEO, fields
employee
questions during monthly internal radio broadcasts.
Deloitte & Touche. Growing at 8 percent a year, this
professional services firm sets aside one day a month to hand out
accolades to employees.
Ernst & Young.This Big Five accounting firm was judged
a "friendly place to work" by 88 percent of those surveyed.
One quarter of the new partner class last year was female.
Third Federal S&L. Born during the Depression, this
S&L, with several branches in our area, has never had a lay-off.
During
crunch times, the company brings in volunteers from slower branches
to avoid hiring (and then laying off) new employees.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The discount retailer is by far
the biggest company chosen, but employees praised its homey feel.
The Men’s Warehouse. Upper management is paid
significantly
less than counterparts at other retailers so that store employees
can be paid more. George Zimmer, the company’s CEO, tries to meet
all employees at least once a year.
Lenscrafters. Starting salaries are relatively low here
— $16,500 for an entry-level lab technician, yet the eye glass
retailer won a spot on the list because employees like its culture
of community service. They are encouraged to drive vans (with names
like Seemore) into poor neighborhoods to deliver free eye exams and
new glasses to children.
Starbucks. The coffee chain provides medical, dental,
and vision coverage to all workers, including part-timers.
Wegmans Food Markets. When 315 jobs at this supermarket
chain were phased out recently, displaced workers were offered the
option of another job without any cut in pay, or leaving with
severance
ranging up to one year’s pay.
Marriott International Inc. After September 11 this
hotel chain enhanced early-retirement packages and cut manager pay
to minimize lay-offs. Employees, 5,500 of them, contributed $3.25
million in paid leave to help out-of-work colleagues in New York.
FedEx Corporation. Most part-timers receive the same
benefits as full-time workers, including nearly 100 percent premium
coverage for health care. Entry-level couriers earn $34,014 a year.
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