Award honors top Minnesota companies based on employee opinions; reveals company direction and engagement are more important than pay and benefits.
MINNEAPOLIS (June 19, 2011) — Star Tribune today announced the 100 Top Workplaces in Minnesota, recognizing the most progressive and engaging companies based entirely on employee opinions. In a survey conducted by an independent research firm, employees ranked their workplaces based on leadership, benefits and the company’s strategic direction, revealing genuine appreciation for their contributions and confidence in the company’s future are more important than pay and benefits.
More than 1,200 companies were invited to participate in the survey and the analysis included responses from 60,538 employees at Minnesota public, private and nonprofit organizations. Among the winners was Kwik Trip, Inc., which ranked number three on the large-size employer list.
“Kwik Trip is honored to be named to Star Tribune’s Top Workplaces. We believe a great work environment not only helps our people provide excellent customer service, but it is simply the right way to treat our valuable coworkers,” said Kwik Trip President and CEO Don Zietlow.
St. Paul-based Bremer Bank, ranked number four on the large-sized employer list, views their people as their number-one asset, striving to offer top benefits, resources and opportunities for their employees.
“It is a true testament of our culture that employees expressed satisfaction working at Bremer Bank through the survey process that resulted in earning this prestigious recognition,” said Carla Paulson, executive vice president, chief human resources officer at Bremer Financial Services.
“What is truly impressive about these companies is that they are engaging their employees at all levels,” said Mike Klingensmith, Star Tribune publisher and CEO. “The results of the survey show that these employees not only feel appreciated and valued by their employer, but they trust in their company’s leadership, direction and vision for the future. This is what makes a Top Workplace.”
The Star Tribune Top Workplaces special section was published in the Star Tribune today, Sunday, June 19. The full list of results and rankings is available online at StarTribune.com/topworkplaces. Rankings are composite scores calculated purely on the basis of employee responses.
About the Top Workplaces methodology
Star Tribune and research firm WorkplaceDynamics set out to identify the Top 100 Workplaces in Minnesota for the second year in a row. Companies chose to take part in the survey process. WorkplaceDynamics contacted 1,241 employers in Minnesota. To qualify, companies had to have at least 50 employees and agree to allow employees to take a confidential survey. In all, 278 companies participated and 60,538 employees were surveyed. WorkplaceDynamics ranked the employers within their size band based solely on the employee responses. The top employers in each size band were selected as the 100 Top Workplaces in Minnesota for 2011.There was no charge to companies or employees nor was any compensation paid to them.
About Star Tribune Media Company
Star Tribune Media Company is a locally owned and operated media company serving Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Minnesota is the only U.S. market in the top 10 in household income, home ownership, health and fitness, literacy, spending on the arts, credit scores and online activity. With the 14th largest daily circulation newspaper in the U.S., the most-visited local website, and Twin Cities Values, Star Tribune reaches more consumers than any other Minnesota media brand. For more information visit startribune.com or startribunecompany.com.