Saddled between the baby boom generation and the millennial crowd, Generation Xers are known for being highly educated and willing to embrace change.
The Gen X crowd can also be characterized as less materialistic and a lost less willing to burn the candle at both ends when it comes to work. It’s not that they want to party all the time, but they want a more balanced life between activity and family than other age groups.
But Gen Xers are also known for having strong entrepreneurial impulses. And that makes them the ideal workers for many employers. To attract and keep Gen Xers, companies have made adjustments by giving employees more vacation days and have more time away from the office.
Here’s a list of the top companies that are great for those born between 1964 and 1985, who are better known as Generation X.
Cooley LLP
Revenues: $802 million
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Number of employees: 1,850 lawyers across 12 offices in the United States, China and Europe
Generation X headcount: 1,308
Founded back in 1920, this international law firm is filled with Gen Xers. The firm “wants people with strong a work ethic, but who also value socializing with their colleagues.”
And most of those working at Cooley have an entrepreneurial spirit, according to a firm spokesperson.
To create the best working atmosphere, Cooley offers generous family leave policies, and a fitness/gym reimbursement plan.
See the other perks at Cooley LLP on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
Texas Health Resources
Revenues: $3.8 billion
Headquarters: Arlington, Texas
Number of employees: 20,957
Gen X headcount: 11,223
This not for profit company operates a network of hospitals and health care facilities.
And by its own admission the company actively seeks out workers in the Gen X age range.
Texas Health says it offers flexible work schedules and state-of-the-art technology/procedures which is attractive to the Gen X workforce. Plus, the average salary for a Gen X worker there is $70, 865.
There could be more room for employees of any age. Like others in the industry, Texas Health said that because of increased demand in healthcare, it is recruiting the most qualified candidates for jobs as “we expect to see more individuals entering health care, even as second careers.”
See the other perks at Texas Health Resources on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
World Wide Technology
Revenues: $6.7 billion
Headquarters: New York, New York
Number of Employees: 3,110
Gen X headcount: 1,845
This year marks the 25th anniversary for WWT. And being young at heart means using its own business plan to make this technology and supply chain solutions firm attractive for the Gen X crowd.
WWT has lots of collaboration tools around WebEx, video conferencing, mobility apps for phones as well as telecommuting. “The look and feel of our office environment is state-of-the-art and conductive to great cross collaboration between teams,” said a company spokesperson.
WWT offers “a very competitive compensation package,” with WWT covering 90 percent of healthcare costs for employees. There’s also a 401k matching program for up to 6 percent and an employee profit sharing plan each year.
See the other perks at World Wide Technology on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
Kimpton Group
Revenues: N/A
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Number of employees: 8,320
Gen X headcount: 3,161
Reaching out to Gen X workers by this hotel and restaurant chain is done by word of mouth. Once there, “employees at every level are given the keys to drive the company.”
And for anyone feeling adventuresome and who likes to go out on a limb or two, the company says “risk-taking is appreciated and mistakes are rewarded. Workers are “empowered to trust their instincts and make decisions autonomously without fear of getting in trouble.”
See the other perks at Kimpton Group on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
TEKsystems
Revenues: $3.5 billion
Headquarters: Hanover, Maryland
Number of employees: 3,900 in U.S.
Gen X headcount: 1,209 in U.S.
A collaborative work environment, along with six figure salaries and commissions make this talent management firm attractive to the Gen X group. And there’s a chance to stay and build a career with the company for a long time.
“We believe strongly in promoting from within, and most of our Gen X employees started with the company in entry level positions and have worked their way into leadership roles,” said the company HR director.
See the other perks at TEKsystems on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
Workday
Revenues: $787.9 million (fiscal 2015)
Headquarters: Pleasanton, California
Gen X headcount: More than 1,850
This financial management and human capital management software vendor says it doesn’t cater to any particular age group when it comes to hiring.
Nonetheless, at least half of its workforce is Gen X, so it’s doing something to attract the younger set.
“We work hard, have fun and share in the company’s success,” said a Workday spokesperson. To do that, Workday offers a variety of benefits and programs for all its employees and strives for a balance between work and home life. For instance, workers can bring their dogs to work and there’s no limit on vacation days!
See the other perks at Workday on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
Edward Jones
Revenues: $6.378 billion
Headquarters: Des Peres, Missouri
Gen X headcount: 20,389 in U.S. and Canada
To help make Edward Jones attractive to workers of any age, the firm offers profit sharing with associates, and “a culture of caring that helps associates through personal and professional challenges, and offering partnership to those who demonstrate significant contributions to the firm.”
Ultimate Software
Revenues: $506 million
Headquarters: Weston, Florida
Number of employees: 2,622
Gen Xers tell Ultimate that one of the strongest attractions for coming to the HR and payroll software developer is “the challenging, innovative work environment and the opportunity to work with the top minds in the technology industry.”
And the benefits aren’t bad either.
There’s a 401k Retirement Savings Plan with a 35 percent company match on every dollar of employee contribution (up to the federal limit).
See the other perks at Ultimate Software on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
Camden Property Trust
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Gen X headcount: 878
Gen Xers are a big part of the success for this this real estate investment trust firm said company officials.
And what makes it all come together is “Camden’s caring, fun culture that’s a good fit for Gen X employees who often have significant responsibilities outside of work.”
See the other perks at Camden Property Trust on our 100 Best Companies to work for list here.
David Weekley Homes
Revenues: $1.124 billion
Headquarters: Houston, Texas
Number of Gen X workers: 781
But one key effort by David Weekley might help keep the Gen X flow coming in. The company says it puts an added emphasis on a work-life balance that “encourages Team Members to focus on their personal development and fulfillment both within and outside of the workplace.”
