Heart of the Matter

The Best Agencies to Work for in 2010 do not all look or act alike. They are of different shapes and sizes and they serve different markets. They offer different programs and benefits. They support different community activities.

The Best Agencies to Work For survey measures employees’ attitudes. Employees rate their salaries, benefits, working conditions, personal job satisfaction, relationships with supervisors, respect for owners and the camaraderie within their offices. They express their appreciation for job stability during difficult economic times, as well as for the opportunities their employers give them to give back to their communities.

In addition to recognizing the tangibles including salaries and benefits, this popular survey is a reminder that the intangibles matter, too. Many of the best employers are those who sometimes act as friends, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, uncles or aunts to their employees – in short, family – at the same time they are bosses.

One employee had a son who was diagnosed with autism last year. An agency principal assured her that she could take off as much time as she needed for various doctor appointments and testing and that she should come to him if she needed help with anything including costs not covered by insurance.

Another had a house fire. She was quickly surrounded by a supportive owner and fellow employees who collected funds for her family.

Another gave birth to her first son. In addition to buying countless gifts for the baby during her maternity leave, her boss started a 529 education fund for her son.

Another boss let a worker bring her dog to the office for the whole day when Fido was injured and could not stay home alone.

A man whose wife is very ill says his employer and agency employees have all “bent over backwards” to see that he has the time and assistance he needs to take care of his wife.

One employee lost her home to a flood. The entire agency came together in a fundraising effort.

Another owner donated to a fund for a young boy who is very ill with a mysterious ailment. The boy was an extended relative of an employee.

One woman had complications following the birth of her son that required her to be out of work for several months. The owner had to fill her position so that accounts were maintained and the woman thought she would not have a job left. But her boss came up with a solution and she is back at work part-time and happy to be here.

One woman’s husband passed away last year from cancer. Prior to his passing, she was allowed to work from home for almost four months so she could be there to take care of him.

These are just a few examples of what is going on every single day in agencies across America. Employers should know that their compassion is appreciated by those around them. They are proving that best agencies to work for are not necessarily those with biggest bank accounts but those with the biggest hearts.