Navy Federal Credit Union, outdoor leisure co-op REI and employee-owned Publix Supermarkets have been included on the Companies That Care list, published by People magazine.
The list of 50 companies is for “the top US companies with 1,000 or more employees that have succeeded in business while also demonstrating respect, compassion and concern for their employees, their communities and the environment”.
People magazine teamed up with Great Place To Work, a global institute dedicated to improving workplace culture, on the list.
Rankings are based on 368,298 employees’ responses to survey questions asking them to rate how their companies treat them on a day-to-day basis.
The list also takes into account employees’ personal stories about the difference their workplaces have made in their lives and in their communities – and the generosity of their organisation’s benefits, financial donations and volunteerism.
Publix Super Markets – a private company whose employees and ex-employees own a majority stake, came ninth on the list.
Based in Florida and operating throughout the south-eastern USA, it is considered the largest employee-owned company in the world.
The People list cited the company’s philanthropic efforts and the “everyday heroics of its giving employees”. The retailer has a “Publix Serves Day” and in 2015, 4,000 employees volunteered with more than 125 non-profits related to youth, education and the plight of the hungry/homeless.
The company donated $1,085 per district to local causes (for a total of $121,000 donated that day). Publix also donates food nearing its sell-by date (lunch meats, cheeses, produce) to food banks, who distribute the food to church groups and food pantries.
Number 22 on the list is Navy Federal Credit Union – the world’s largest credit union, serving the military and their families.
“The community-minded company supports employees in their aspirations,” said People, “giving them the opportunity to build a meaningful career. This year, they provided 100 grants to nonprofit organisations on behalf of employee volunteers.”
Benefits and perks enjoyed by staff range from generous retirement packages, employee loan discounts and educational assistance programmes to free snacks and subsidised lunches.
Outdoor leisure retailer REI came 30th on the list. Based in Washington state and operating throughout the US, the co-op is known for its sustainable building developments and environmental and community work.
This includes a multi-million dollar partnership with the National Park Foundation to celebrate the 100th birthday of the National Park Service. The company has also shut down on Black Friday under its OptOutside scheme, paying its employees for the day off, encouraging them to spend time in nature.
REI and Navy Federal recently made it onto the Fortune 100 Best Companies to work for list.
