Ever since Dilbert gazed out from its 1998 inaugural issue, Fortune magazine has been publishing corporate America's most extensive survey, ranking companies based on workers' attitudes about management's credibility, job satisfaction, and camaraderie.
The survey also asks organizations about pay and benefit programs, hiring practices, communication, training, recognition programs, and diversity.
The result is "100 Best Companies to Work For," a list that turns the spotlight on the best of the bunch. Three hundred eleven companies vied to make the 2011 list.
Reading the categories, it's easy to see that each company shines in particular areas: Baptist Health South Florida, for example, is #1 for diversity. Zappos.com heads the pack in job growth.
As for companies "where employees feel encouraged to balance their work and personal life," Fortune named the top 10 for work-life balance.
(For more organizations that help promote work-life balance, view Fortune's Top 10 lists of those with the highest percentage of telecommuters, as well as those with the lowest rates for on-site child care.)
Fortune's 10 Best Companies for Work-life Balance:
SAS, software company
Work-life rank: 1
Best Companies rank: 1
Headquarters: Cary, NC
Other company perks: Fortune highlighted the organization's on-site healthcare; high-quality child care for $410 per month; kids' summer camp; car cleaning service; beauty salon; and more.
Website: www.sas.com
Recreational Equipment (REI), adventure gear retailer
Headquarters: Kent, WA
Work-life rank: 2
Best Companies rank: 9
Other company perks: Employees receive a four-week paid sabbatical after 15 years' service; 50%-75% discounts on full-priced REI apparel and equipment; an annual gift of REI gear; free equipment rental; and $300 worth of gear for employees who participate in its Challenge Grant program.
Website: www.rei.com
MITRE, non-profit research center
Headquarters: McLean, VA
Work-life rank: 3
Best Companies rank: 96
Other company perks: Fortune made special note of the organization's "gold-plated" retirement plan in which retirees receive from 80% to 100% of their final salary annually.
Website: www.mitre.org
Scottrade, discount stockbroker
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Work-life rank: 4
Best companies rank: 12
Other company perks: Scottrade cultivates a unique company culture, Fortune revealed: Brokers do not offer advice to customers and do not work on commission. No employee has ever been laid off and no office has ever closed.
Website: www.scottrade.com
Wegmans Food Markets, supermarket chain
Headquarters: Rochester, NY
Work-life rank: 5
Best Companies rank: 3
Other company perks: Fortune praised Wegmans for its 8-week challenge to employees in 2010 -- 11,000 of whom participated -- to eat five cups of fruit and vegetables a day and walk up to 10,000 steps daily. The same year, the grocery giant sponsored employee health screenings which included a flu shot and H1N1 vaccine.
Website: www.wegmans.com
Camden Property Trust, apartment management firm
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Work-life rank: 6
Best Companies rank: 7
Other company perks: It may be called the Lone Star State, but staff at this Houston firm is an example of teamwork in action, having pulled together to weather the recession by renegotiating contracts and reducing pay. One crowd-pleaser: For $20 a night, Fortune reports, vacationing employees can rent furnished apartments in Orlando, San Diego, Denver, Austin, and other locations.
Website: www.camdenliving.com
Johnson Financial Group, financial services firm
Work-life rank: 7
Best Companies rank: 46
Headquarters: Racine, WI
Other company perks: Fortune applauds the firm's paternity leave policy, which allows new dads six weeks' paid time off. In addition, employees who want to earn a graduate degree can receive up to $10,000 per year in tuition reimbursement.
Website: www.johnsonbank.com
Build-A-Bear Workshop, retail-entertainment chain
Work-life rank: 8
Best Companies rank: 48
Headquarters: St. Louis, MO
Other company perks: Part-time store staffers receive health, dental, and vision benefits, Fortune noted, while headquarters employees wind down with on-site yoga and work out at Zumba classes.
Website: www.buildabear.com
Edward Jones, investment adviser
Work-life rank: 9
Best Companies rank: 11
Other company perks: Fortune commends Edward Jones for making diversity a priority with new recruitment initiatives to attract people of color to a workforce that is 93% white.
Website: www.edwardjones.com
The Methodist Hospital System, non-profit healthcare organization
Headquarters: Houston, TX
Work-life rank: 10
Best Companies rank: 19
Other company perks: Employees are proud to work for this hospital, according to Fortune, 17% of whom have been with Methodist for over 15 years.
Website: www.methodisthealth.com