The Business Journal is producing its first list of the best places to work in Orange County in 2009.
The list is set to appear in September as part of a special report covering employers that made our ranking.
We’re now in the process of soliciting employers to take part in our selection process, which involves a two-part survey of employers and their workers.
The list stands to be a source of pride for employers that can help with recruiting and employee morale.
Employers on the list also stand to gain bragging rights as great places to work in area where finding good workers can be tough, even in tough times like these.
It’s also good exposure for employers before clients, customers, bankers, vendors and peers.
Nearly All Eligible
We’re considering just about all types of employers in the county: locally based companies, subsidiaries of companies based elsewhere, professional services firms, banks, governments, nonprofits, hospitals and universities.
Employers have to have at least 15 workers to be considered and have to have been in business for at least a year.
They’ll be ranked by category: small (15 to 24 workers), medium (25 to 249 workers) and large (250 or more).
To take part, go to www.ocbj.com and click on the “OCBJ Best Places
to Work 2009″ button at the top of the page. (or go to https://bestplaces- toworkoc.com/index.php.) You’ll be linked to a site with details about our list and how to have your company take part.
There’s no cost involved (though there’s a nominal fee if an employer opts to use paper instead of electronic surveys).
As part of the process, employers are given two surveys.
The employer questionnaire details policies, practices, benefits and demographics and is filled out by management.
The employee engagement and satisfaction survey questions workers on their employer’s leadership, planning, culture, training, pay and benefits and other areas.
Employers will be asked to provide e-mail contacts for workers. All gathered information is confidential and won’t be released to any third parties.
The Business Journal’s list only will include basic employment and benefits details about employers. Our stories on the employers will be general profiles.
Specific comments and other details of the surveys won’t be made public.
Employers that go through the process but don’t qualify won’t be called out in any way.
The Business Journal is working with Harrisburg, Pa.-based Best Companies Group on our list. Best Companies is known for producing similar lists for business journals and magazines across the country.
Unlike some other best places to work lists, Best Companies’ process is methodical. They have a track record that we felt is up to our own high standards.
All employers that take part get a participation report with details about the surveys. More extensive reports, if desired, are available for purchase from Best Companies Group.
Schedule
We’ll be soliciting employers to be surveyed through early February. Employers and employees are queried in the weeks after.
The Business Journal’s list and special report is slated to run Sept. 21. The paper is hosting an event around that time to recognize employers on the list.
If you have questions, contact Research Director Purnima Mudnal at (949) 833-8373, ext. 224, or at mudnal@ocbj.com.
You also can get more details from Jessica Pouchan of Best Companies Group at (717) 909-1570.
We thank you in advanced for your interest and participation.
