Co-op sector again named in Fortune 100 best companies to work for

Navy Federal Credit Union and outdoor leisure co-op REI are among those to make the list

Fortune’s list of the 100 Best Companies To Work For once again features organisations from the co-op, credit union and employee-owned sectors.

The list takes into account executive team effectiveness, innovation, people-focused programmes, and being a “Great Place to Work For All” – in terms of trust, credible and respectful leadership, pride in the work, and camaraderie.

Navy Federal Credit Union, which employs 14,462 people across 286 sites, is the highest-placed business from the movement on the list, at 42.

Last year it came 47th and this is its eighth year on the list.

The Vienna, Virginia-based credit union has worldwide revenues of $5,398.9m but maintains “a hometown feel”, says the report, which highlights a diverse workforce – with 43% coming from minority groups – and benefits including 23 days leave, 10 sick days, 12 weeks’ maternity leave, pension plans, on site medical care, subsidised gyms and financial support for college tuition.

Full and part-time job growth is 5%, with full-time voluntary staff turnover at 8%. The survey found that 93% of employees said it was a great place to work.

At 43 is outdoor leisure co-op REI, based in Kent, Washington state, which last year came 28th and has spent 21 years on the list.

“It runs numerous programs to connect women and girls to nature, has offered same-sex benefits since 1992, and covers gender reassignment surgery for employees,” says the Fortune 100 Report.

REI volunteers at work on an outdoor stewardship project

REI employs 12,973 people across 159 sites and last year reported a revenue of $2,557,543.

It employs 19% of its staff from minority groups and offers benefits including health insurance for part timers, fully paid sabbaticals, subsidised gyms, financial support for college tuition, 19 days leave and six sick days.

It has 9% full and part-time job growth with full-time staff turnover at 10%.

At 47 on the list is Publix Supermarkets, which mixes private and employee ownership, with Fortune 100 highlighting a diverse workforce – one out of every four associates is 50 or older, including 26 employees over the age of 90.

Last year Publix came in at 21, and this is its 21st year on the list. Based in Lakeland, Florida, it employs 18,9607 across 1,170 sites and its most recent report posted revenues of $34m. Benefits include on-site medical care, college tuition reimbursement, 16 days off a year and six sick days.

Job growth is 6% with voluntary full time turnover at 9%.

At 50 is engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm Burns & McDonnell, which has been employee-owned since 1986.

“People love the on-site amenities, including a pharmacy and day-care centre, along with regular company celebrations like the annual pancake breakfast and trivia competitions,” says Fortune 100.

Last year the company came 16th and this is its eighth year on the list. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, it employs 5,534 people across 263 sites. 16.8% of workers come from minority groups.

Benefits include 23 days leave, subsidised childcare and gym, sick days for part time workers, on-site medical care and college tuition reimbursement.

The top-placed firm on the list, scored on an analysis of anonymous employee responses to more than 50 survey questions, was San Francisco-based IT company Salesforce.

To be considered, companies needed to have at least 1,000 employees and receive enough survey responses to achieve a 95% confidence level with no more than a 5% margin of error.