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In January 2003, companies nominated for Computerworld's 100 Best Places to Work for IT professionals received a 100-question survey asking about their organizations' average salary and bonus increases, percentage of IT staff promoted, IT staff turnover rates, training and development, and percentage of women and minorities in IT staff and management positions. In addition, information was collected on how each organization rewards outstanding performance, its retention programs and its benefits, ranging from child and elder care to flextime and reimbursement for college tuition and technology certifications. What follows is aggregate data from those 100 winning companies' surveys:
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Where are They?
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The Typical Best Place, By the Numbers
 Revenue: $12.3 billion
In business for 72 years
38,668 total employees
1,375 IT employees
35% of IT staff members are women
35% of IT managers are women
3% of IT staff members are minorities
15% of IT managers are minorities
IT budget: $481.6 million
Spends $2,174 per IT employee on training
Offers seven training days for IT staff
Average Workweek: 43 hours
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The Tops
For Diversity:
1. McKesson Information Solutions
2. University of Miami
3. Freddie Mac
4. Assurant Group
5. United Services Automobile Association
6. Southern California Edison & Edison International
7. Discover Financial Services
8. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
9. Fannie Mae
10. Verizon Wireless
For Training:
1. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
2. Allstate Insurance Co.
3. J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.
4. University of Miami
5. Saint Luke's Health System
6. Cerner Corp.
7. American Fidelity Group
8. McKesson Information Solutions
9. Harley-Davidson Inc.
10. PHH Arval
For Career Development:
1. Lockheed Martin Corp.
2. Household International Inc.
3. University of Miami
4. Sonoco Products Co.
5. Cerner Corp.
6. General Mills Inc.
7. CIGNA Corp.
8. Harrah's Entertainment Inc.
9. Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
10. Domino's Pizza LLC
For Retention:
1. University of Miami
2. Hershey Foods Corp.
3. Network Appliance Inc.
4. Caraustar Industries Inc.
5. Saint Luke's Health System
6. American Fidelity Group
7. Harley-Davidson Inc.
8. Harrah's Entertainment Inc.
9. Domino's Pizza LLC
10. Roadway Express Inc.
For Benefits:
1. Avon Products Inc.
2. J.D. Edwards
3. Fannie Mae
4. United Services Automobile Association
5. Computer Associates International Inc.
6. Capital One Financial Corp.
7. Verizon Wireless
8. Harley-Davidson Inc.
9. University of Miami
10. Network Appliance Inc.
The following factors were used to determine the top 10 lists:
Diversity Percentage of women and minorities in staff and managerial positions.
Training Average number of training days and average cost of training per IT worker per year.
Career Development Tuition reimbursement for college classes and technical certifications; mentoring programs.
Retention frequency of employee satisfaction surveys, turnover rate, promotions and corporate communications initiatives.
Benefits A range of benefits including sabbaticals, health vision benefits (percent paid for by company) and long-term care.
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What They Do?
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The Benefits Highs...
Percentage of companies that offer . . .
Flexible hours: 99%
Pretax spending programs for uncovered medical expenses: 94%
Reimbursement for technology certification: 93%
Telecommuting options for employees: 91%
On-site fitness center or fitness membership reimbursement: 84%
. . . And Room-to-Grows
Percent of companies that offer . . .
Domestic partner/spousal equivalent benefits: 56%
Job sharing: 55%
Same-sex partner benefits: 53%
Elder care and/or services: 49%
On-site child care: 28%
Company-subsidized child care 27%
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Profit Margin
88% of Best Places were profitable in 2002 |
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| 28% of Best Places had layoffs in 2002 |
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Top 5 Retention Methods
1. Competitive salaries
2. Competitive benefits
3. Flexible work hours
4. Tuition reimbursement
5. Bonuses
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Employee satisfaction surveys conducted:
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Quirky Perks
Sun n Fun: Edward Jones & Co. employees earn $100 in the Good Idea Contest and are entered to win a one-week, all-expenses-paid trip for two to exotic destinations such as Hawaii or the Cayman Islands (plus an extra week of paid vacation). A satellite broadcast announces the winners at the moment they are surprised in person. In 2001, eight associates won a Caribbean cruise.
Living Healthy: Hilton Hotels Corp. offers the Miavita Health Program, a personalized service to help manage weight, improve cholesterol levels, boost metabolism or reduce risk of disease.
Fast Track: IT leaders at Allstate Insurance Co. recently went to a luge run to learn about the sport and practice risk-taking and team-building in an unconventional setting.
Staying Fit: Avon Products Inc. offers on-site yoga classes and massages; subsidizes an on-site Weight Watchers program, fitness centers and cafeteria.
Getting Involved: Intuit Inc. offers employees 32 hours of paid time off per year for company-sponsored volunteer activities.
One-Stop Shopping: Marriott International Inc.s building amenities include on-site child care, dry cleaning, a bank, gas pumps, a cafeteria, a health club, a convenience store, a nurse, photo processing, a gift shop, Starbucks coffee, security, free parking, massage, a post office and a copy center.
On-site Weight Watchers programs:
United Services Automobile Association
Avon Products Inc.
West, a Thomson Business
On-site Starbucks:
Freddie Mac
Marriott International Inc.
Charities supported:
United Way
Habitat for Humanity
American Red Cross blood drives
Junior Achievement
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