Best Places to Work Press Release

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Thirty-seven companies have earned the title of "Best Places to Work" in Southeastern Wisconsin in a study by Milwaukee Magazine and MRA-The Management Association.

Results of this rigorous and highly competitive selection process will be published in the April 2008 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

It is the fifth time since 2001 that Milwaukee Magazine and MRA have teamed up to evaluate workplace practices among companies in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington, Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth counties.

This year, 33 companies made the grade within the categories of large (500 or more employees), medium (101 to 499 employees) and small (100 or fewer employees). In a related sidebar, several of those companies – plus an additional four not on the list of 33 – were evaluated in special subcategories: managing a multigenerational work force; training; and employee engagement.

To be named to the final lists, companies in the seven-county metro area were invited to complete detailed online surveys covering nine specific areas: pay; benefits; other perks; turnover; work/life balance; training and employee development; diversity; community involvement; and employee voice. Each firm was then scored according to their responses. Companies were also evaluated according to feedback from anonymous employee surveys. Overall, 4,355 workers completed the online survey.

Initially, 183 companies began the application process. In the end, 96 completed the survey on a dedicated, secure Web site maintained by MRA; 69 continued through the employee survey process. The winners were selected using a sophisticated scoring system based on a combination of the company practices surveys and employee surveys.

Once the winners were selected, Milwaukee Magazine conducted interviews with executives, managers and employees at selected companies.

Among the key findings of the study: Workers want more of a "partnership" with management. "The concept of relationship is important," says Bonni Yordi, MRA's research director. "In the past, a company might assume an employee's best efforts would be delivered in exchange for a paycheck. Today, employees want more of a partnership. They want recognition of what each brings to the table, and in return, they provide personal investment."

Questions? Contact MRA at 262.696.3488 or kristinr@mranet.org