100 Best research methodology, category winners and alpha list

Find out how the 100 Best Companies are determined, see the category winners and refer to our alphabetical list.

Share this article!

EMPLOYEE SURVEY

The survey is voluntary and free of charge. Participating private and public companies, nonprofits and government agencies must have at least 15 Oregon employees at the time of taking the survey. Employers are categorized as small if they have 15-34 Oregon employees; medium if they employ 35-99 Oregon employees; and large if they employ 100 or more in Oregon. For the 2012 survey more than 14,000 Oregon workers rated their satisfaction with 263 employers in 25 workplace qualities — 5 in each of the following categories:

1. Work Environment: flexibility and work/life balance, diversity, teamwork and fun, workspace technology and efficiency, policies and procedures.

2. Management & Communications: employee treatment, performance feedback, communications, discipline, rewards and acknowledgement.

3. Decision-Making & Trust: shared accountability, trust in management, collaboration and involvement, community and charity, workplace pride.

4. Career Development & Learning: on-the-job training, educational support, growth opportunities and promotions, job goals and expectations.

5. Benefits & Compensation: compensation fairness and adequacy, health/wellness plan, retirement plan,  paid time off, raises and bonuses.

EMPLOYER BENEFITS SURVEY

Company representatives answered 41 questions covering a comprehensive set of benefits including health and wellness, time off, family-friendly policies, work scheduling, incentives, retirement plans and culture.

SCORING

The employee survey counts for 5/6 of a company’s score. For each company, the average employee rating is calculated in each of the five categories on a scale of 0-100. The employer benefits survey is also scored on a 100-point scale, accounting for the remaining 1/6 of the overall score, and resulting in a total possible score of 600.

HOW TO ENTER THE 100 BEST:

1. Eligibility: Any private or public company, subsidiary or division, nonprofit or government agency with at least 15 Oregon-based, regular employees is eligible to enter the survey. The organization may be headquartered outside the state.

2. Survey period: The process for the 2013 list will begin in late August and end in November 2012. There is no charge to participate, and companies that do not make the list will remain anonymous. All participants that complete the process can order survey results, providing a valuable, in-depth view of workplace strengths and weaknesses.

3. Submitting your company: Send an e-mail with the name, title, phone number and
email address of the person who will act as the 100 Best contact to: [email protected].

4. Mark your calendar: The survey sign-up link will be posted to www.oregon100best.com in late August.