High on perks, low on cube farms

By Brian Chappatta

December 5, 2010 5:59 a.m.

With unemployment exceeding 9% in the city, thousands of workers aren't just relieved to be gainfully employed, they're bragging about where they work.

ZocDoc, the No. 1 company on Crain's third annual Crain's list of the Best Places to Work in New York City, lets its employees take as much vacation time as they need—part of its flexible-rules culture, says Chief Executive Cyrus Massoumi. Some people wear suits to work; others don't even wear shoes.

“People are just happy that they are a part of something growing, rather than thinking their company is not in its best year or worrying about their job,” Mr. Massoumi said.

There is no secret formula for making the list. The 50 companies were ranked by a statistical analysis of employee surveys and company benefits, and the winning firms received high marks for a fun atmosphere, challenging work, advancement opportunities and myriad of perks and benefits. While the Top 50 share a commitment to employee fulfillment, it is a diverse bunch.

The honored companies range in size from less than 50 employees to more than 50,000 and span more than a dozen industries. Some base their U.S. operations from here, while others are headquartered in California and Washington. Established firms have been in business for more than 50 years and a few of the startups haven't even celebrated their three-year anniversaries.

Yet, the Top 4 companies on the list, those whose cultures and benefits made their employees brag the loudest, have one thing in common: a passion for technology. ZocDoc, NetApp, Epic Media Group and Microsoft Corp all embody an entrepreneurial spirit that employees say makes coming to work fun.

Tech behemoth Microsoft boasts more than 53,000 U.S. employees, and yet its focus on an all-inclusive culture is similar to ZocDoc's. For example, prior to the official launch of Kinect, the new motion-sensing, controller-free addition to Microsoft's Xbox 360 gaming system, all employees were invited to try it out.

“People feel they contribute to the overall success of the business,” said Laura Wallace, Microsoft's general manager for New York. “We're one tech company that even in the recession did not cut back in research and development. We're continuing to push technology, and that excites employees.”

Companies differ in their approach to creating a great workplace. Some strive to give employees a sense of balance in their lives. No. 17 FTEN, a financial technology firm, wins employees over by making a healthy lifestyle accessible and convenient, offering nutrition, exercise and stress-reduction workshops, while No. 50 Silverstein Properties lets its workers start their weekends at 1 p.m. on Fridays.

But ensuring a workplace that's second-to-none can also mean a highly selective hiring process. ZocDoc, an online service for locating doctors and making appointments, wants to expand rapidly, yet it only hires 1% of its job applicants. No. 8 Undertone Networks, an online ad agency, limits its new hires to team players.

“It's so easy to drop your bar,” Mr. Massoumi said. “But to have that discipline to say, ‘We haven't found the best person for the job,' you then establish a lean organization full of rock stars.”

Hiring practices, perks and a fun atmosphere aren't just about creating a great place to work. They're also meant to attract and retain the staff committed to their employer's growth and success. No. 44 OpenSky's founder and CEO John Caplan sums it up, "Building a great company is an all-consuming life experience, and you want to do it with people who you love and care about.”

Cara Trager contributed.

BEST PLACES TO WORK 2010

• GALLERY: Best Places to Work 2010
• PHOTOS: Best places to work revealed
• High on perks, low on cube farms
• Delivering success in succession plans
• Keeping a green workplace
• When job hunting, it's who you know that counts
• VIDEO: NYC's happiest employees
• VIDEO: Stress relief included

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