Computerworld - Results from a survey of nearly 17,000 IT employees from the final 100 companies selected.
After company representatives completed the first portion of the survey, they were e-mailed instructions on selecting a random sample of their U.S.-based full- and part-time IT staffs. All participating companies were required to obtain feedback from their employees. The responses to the employee survey went directly to a third-party research vendor. Nearly 17,000 IT employees responded to the employee survey from the final 100 companies selected. What follows is aggregate data from a survey of employees at those 100 winning companies:
Most desired benefits
Our survey asked IT workers to rank the importance of various benefits on a scale from 1 to 10, with 1 being "not at all important" and 10 being "extremely important." Here's a look at the benefits that IT workers prize the most (and the least):
Percentage who gave the benefit a "10" 
76% Paid vacation 68% Health insurance 47% Profit sharing/employee stock ownership program/401(k)/403(b) plan 40% Flexible hours 33% Telecommuting 31% Reimbursement for technology certification 30% Bonuses 30% Continuing education/executive education programs 26% College tuition reimbursement 26% Maternity/paternity leave 24% Overtime pay/comp time for overtime hours worked 17% Domestic partner/spousal equivalent/same-sex partner benefits 16% Employee Assistance Programs 14% Paid or unpaid sabbaticals 13% On-site fitness center or fitness membership reimbursement 9% Child care 8% Job sharing 6% Elder care and/or services
Stressed, but satisfied 75% rate employee morale at their companies as excellent, very good or good 71% are very satisfied or satisfied with their company's training and development programs 72% are very satisfied or satisfied with their health benefits 70% are very satisfied or satisfied with their base salary 69% are very satisfied or satisfied with their work/life balance 51% are very satisfied or satisfied with their bonuses 37% find their job/workplace very stressful or stressful
How satisfied are you with...
Base salary Very satisfied 22% Satisfied 48% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 14% Dissatisfied 12% Very dissatisfied 4%
Bonuses Very satisfied 22% Satisfied 29% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 15% Dissatisfied 12% Very dissatisfied 9% not applicable 13%
Health benefits Very satisfied 27% Satisfied 45% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 14% Dissatisfied 10% Very dissatisfied 4%
Work/life balance Very satisfied 25% Satisfied 44% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 15% Dissatisfied 11% Very dissatisfied 5%
Workplace stress level Very stressful 10% Stressful 26% Somewhat stressful 45% Not very stressful 17% Not at all stressful 2%
Employee morale in the IT department 
Satisfaction with company's training
and development programs 
Layoffs
Among respondents who indicated that their company's IT department had layoffs in 2003, the following grades were given for how management handled these layoffs:
A
14% B
24% C
22% D
12% F
9% Not Answered
19%
Pride and ethics
The majority of IT employees at this year's Best Places to Work have strong feelings of pride about their companies and the work they do. Eighty-three percent of respondents said they are proud to work at their companies, and 80% say their jobs are interesting and challenging. That's the good news. The bad news is that only half said they have well-defined career paths, and just over half (62%) said they feel their jobs are secure. Here are some other findings of note:
My company is a great place to work in IT Strongly agree 34% Agree 38% Neither agree or disagree 18% Disagree 7% Strongly disagree 3%
I am proud to work for my company Strongly agree 47% Agree 36% Neither agree or disagree 13% Disagree 3% Strongly disagree 1%
There are opportunities for career growth
at my company Strongly agree 26% Agree 47% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 10% Strongly disagree 3%
I have a well-defined career path Strongly agree 12% Agree 38% Neither agree or disagree 27% Disagree 17% Strongly disagree 6%
I have a good relationship with my co-workers Strongly agree 54% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 4% Disagree 1% Strongly disagree 0%
I have access to the tools and technologies
I need to do my job Strongly agree 29% Agree 53% Neither agree or disagree 10% Disagree 6% Strongly disagree 2%
I feel my job is secure Strongly agree 25% Agree 37% Neither agree or disagree 20% Disagree 12% Strongly disagree 6%
I am motivated to do my best Strongly agree 41% Agree 39% Neither agree or disagree 12% Disagree 6% Strongly disagree 2%
My job is interesting and challenging Strongly agree 34% Agree 46% Neither agree or disagree 13% Disagree 5% Strongly disagree 2%
This is a team-oriented company/department Strongly agree 34% Agree 42% Neither agree or disagree 13% Disagree 7% Strongly disagree 4%
I have access to training and education to enhance my skills Strongly agree 30% Agree 45% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 8% Strongly disagree 3%
Our company is run ethically and honestly Strongly agree 42% Agree 38% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 4% Strongly disagree 2%
I have access to new technologies Strongly agree 28% Agree 47% Neither agree or disagree 16% Disagree 7% Strongly disagree 2%
My performance is evaluated fairly and with adequate frequency Strongly agree 25% Agree 43% Neither agree or disagree 17% Disagree 10% Strongly disagree 5%
I have a good relationship with my supervisor Strongly agree 43% Agree 42% Neither agree or disagree 9% Disagree 4% Strongly disagree 2%
I have the opportunity to get involved with interesting projects Strongly agree 33% Agree 43% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 8% Strongly disagree 2%
How Management Fared
While most IT workers at this year's 100 Best Places feel their management team is fair to all employees, regardless of job title, sexual orientation, gender, religion and race, they don't feel management is doing all it can to help them with their careers. Just 39% said they feel they have a hand in running their companies, and just over half (58%) said the IT management team is involved and interested in their career development. Here are some other findings of note:
Management treats everyone fairly and equally, regardless of their sexual orientation Strongly agree 41% Agree 42% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 2% Strongly disagree 1%
Management treats everyone fairly and equally, regardless of their race Strongly agree 43% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 11% Disagree 3% Strongly disagree 2%
IT management is involved and interested in my career development Strongly agree 18% Agree 40% Neither agree or disagree 23% Disagree 13% Strongly disagree 6%
Management recognizes achievements and good work Strongly agree 24% Agree 43% Neither agree or disagree 18% Disagree 10% Strongly disagree 5%
My company's corporate culture is positive Strongly agree 29% Agree 42% Neither agree or disagree 17% Disagree 8% Strongly disagree 4%
My workload is reasonable Strongly agree 14% Agree 51% Neither agree or disagree 18% Disagree 12% Strongly disagree 5%
Management treats everyone fairly and equally, regardless of their gender Strongly agree 41% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 11% Disagree 5% Strongly disagree 2%
Management treats everyone fairly and equally, regardless of their job title or function Strongly agree 29% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 14% Disagree 12% Strongly disagree 4%
Management treats everyone fairly and equally, regardless of their religion Strongly agree 44% Agree 42% Neither agree or disagree 12% Disagree 1% Strongly disagree 1%
IT management involves the IT staff in decisions that affect their jobs Strongly agree 13% Agree 35% Neither agree or disagree 26% Disagree 18% Strongly disagree 8%
Management treats everyone fairly regardless of their age Strongly agree 38% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 13% Disagree 6% Strongly disagree 2%
IT management effectively leads the department Strongly agree 20% Agree 41% Neither agree or disagree 21% Disagree 12% Strongly disagree 6%
I feel I have a hand in running my company Strongly agree 11% Agree 28% Neither agree or disagree 29% Disagree 21% Strongly disagree 11%
My company/department has a clearly defined mission Strongly agree 26% Agree 46% Neither agree or disagree 17% Disagree 8% Strongly disagree 3%
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