• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster

1

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year

2

As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch

3

Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
LeadershipCoronavirus

The Best Workplaces in New York rise to the challenges of COVID-19 and beyond

By
Great Place To Work
Great Place To Work
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Great Place To Work
Great Place To Work
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 16, 2020, 7:00 AM ET
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

New York is famous for its creativity, its moxie, its larger-than-life-ness.

Those traits have been in full effect at the Best Workplaces in New York state and the tri-state area during the past few challenging months—a period when the New York region was an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fortune and Great Place to Work just named the Best Workplaces in New York. The 70 organizations on this list earned their spots based on data collected prior to the health crisis. But leaders and employees at the Best Workplaces in New York have stood out for their resilience, generosity and imaginative responses to the pandemic, resulting economic downturn and more recent racial justice protests.

Here are a few of the striking ways these organizations have cared for employees, for customers, and for the community amid turbulent times.

Blanket forts at LaBella Associates

Rochester, N.Y.-based engineering firm LaBella Associates is one of many Best Workplaces in New York that has taken its social responsibility seriously during coronavirus crisis. Employees donated more than $15,000 to its national United Way campaign—a record amount for the company.

But the organization also tapped into its playful side to help employees stay loose amid stressful weeks. To celebrate National Architecture Week in April, LaBella challenged employees to construct blanket forts at home with their families. Employees submitted photos of the completed forts and a fake real estate listing highlighting features of the fort. 

“This spacious blanket fortress comes with plenty of scooter parking and a guard dog to keep all your toys safe,” read one employee’s fort description. “A secret tunnel leads to a ball pit bunker in the event you just need to escape chores—your parents will be virtually incapable of finding you!”

Combating discrimination at Cooley

Law firm Cooley has made racial justice and inclusion central in recent months. As part of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Cooley’s diversity & inclusion team invited Dr. Russell Jeung, professor and chair of Asian American studies at San Francisco State University and a leading academic authority on COVID-19-related anti-Asian discrimination, to present his research findings on the political rhetoric and media representation of the disease, as well as actions citizens can take during this critical time. More than 600 employees tuned into the virtual presentation.

In the wake of the killing of George Floyd, Cooley also was among the organizations to publicly commit to continuing the fight for racial justice and a more equitable society for all. Cooley’s Black Attorney Affinity Group compiled and distributed a comprehensive “Allyship & Anti-Racism Resource Kit” filled with literature, documentaries, films, organizations, and charities to deepen and expand the understanding of allyship and what it means to be anti-racist and to encourage education, engagement, and action.

Putting people first at PwC

Employees at the professional services firm were able to breathe easier at the outset of the pandemic. Their U.S. Chair and Senior Partner, Tim Ryan, came out early during the pandemic and announced that PwC would honor entry level offers to graduating students, make full-time job offers to their summer 2020 interns—and that job cuts would only come as a last resort.  

“At PwC, we have adopted the principle that we will only consider laying off employees as a last resort,” Ryan wrote in a LinkedIn post. “We are grateful that our people have adapted quickly to the ‘new normal’ of serving our clients remotely. Ultimately, we recognize that if we attempt to protect our profits this year by sacrificing our people, we may lose out both in the short and long run.”

Ryan, with his team, have also personally led weekly town halls throughout the pandemic—addressing the firm’s commitment to safety and well-being, serving clients virtually—and more recently leading discussions on racism.

At the same time, PwC has not scrimped on charitable efforts. The PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. has committed over $3.5 million to support at-home learning for underserved students, reduce food insecurity and help deliver critical protective equipment to healthcare workers. Most recently, the firm released bold actions to tackle racism across America.

Giving credit where it’s due at ESL Federal Credit Union

Faheem Masood, CEO of ESL Federal Credit Union made a pledge similar to Tim Ryan’s. Early in the pandemic, Masood assured employees of the Rochester-based credit union that they would continue to receive their full pay during the crisis—even if not working all of their normally scheduled hours. ESL Federal Credit Union also continued with its normal merit increase process, despite the crisis. What’s more, it awarded a $1,000 bonus to employees.

The organization also prioritized employee safety. Measures included social distancing in ESL headquarters and branches, as well as steps to protect front-line employees. ESL maximized services in its drive-up lanes, limited services in our branch lobbies by making them available by appointment only, and required front-line employees and customers to wear masks in a branch.

Even as it has focused on employees, ESL has looked out for customers. It waived many fees for customers and offered numerous ways to help with financial hardships they encounter—such as personal and business loan deferment, mortgage forbearance up to 180 days, and no negative impact to credit reports for those using hardship offerings.

Helping employees and their families at Noom

Noom, which helps people build healthier habits to lose weight, helped its employees navigate prolonged periods of remote work. For the roughly 160 employees based at Noom’s headquarters in New York City, the company provided $1,000 for work-from-home materials and furniture, as well as suggestions for how to set up a productive workspace.

Since the headquarters team had become accustomed to daily office lunches provided by Noom’s in-office chef, the company also provided employees with a recurring $300-per-month food budget to ensure they have access to healthier foods.

Noom’s 1,700 full-time, remote coaches throughout the U.S. were already accustomed to working from home. Still, the company recognized that many of these employees faced the challenge of working in a more-crowded-than-usual household. To help, Noom sent 300 laptops and tablets to coaches’ family members who were also looking for ways to stay engaged with friends and family during the day.

Click here for the list of the 40 Best Large Workplaces in New York and the 30 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in New York lists.

Great Place to Work logo 2018

Great Place to Work is the global authority on workplace culture and partners with Fortune to produce a variety of Best Workplace lists, including the annual Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For ranking.

About the Author
By Great Place To Work
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Leadership

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Leadership

How foodservice giant Sodexo is embracing AI and robotics to reshape the kitchen
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
How foodservice giant Sodexo is embracing AI and robotics to reshape the kitchen
By John KellJuly 1, 2026
2 hours ago
U.S. Polo Assn. CEO J. Michael Prince
SuccessThe Promotion Playbook
U.S. Polo Assn. CEO was told he wasn’t right for a promotion—so he ‘outworked’ anyone else who wanted the job for 6 months straight
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJuly 1, 2026
3 hours ago
Nikesh Arora, chief executive officer at Palo Alto Networks
SuccessJobs
CEO of $248 billion cybersecurity company says workers are about to face a ‘Darwinian moment’ thanks to AI: Evolve or get cut
By Emma BurleighJuly 1, 2026
4 hours ago
DHL plane being refuelled at airport by man in high-vis jacket
EuropeAviation
The Iran conflict saw jet fuel prices soar—when you use 1.88 million tonnes a year, how you respond really matters (just ask DHL)
By Sam ForsdickJuly 1, 2026
6 hours ago
I know how Gen Z can survive the ‘jobpocalypse’ because I built an AI company — in 2015
CommentaryCareers
I know how Gen Z can survive the ‘jobpocalypse’ because I built an AI company — in 2015
By Jeremy FainJuly 1, 2026
8 hours ago
mr
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
America needs 3.8 million manufacturing workers. This CEO has a blueprint to find them
By Mark RayfieldJuly 1, 2026
8 hours ago

Most Popular

MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
Success
MacKenzie Scott alone accounted for one-third of America's $19.2 billion in megagifts last year
By Sydney LakeJune 25, 2026
6 days ago
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
Big Tech
As Big Tech showers employees with perks to win the talent war, Nvidia built a nearly $5 trillion company by making people pay for their own lunch
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJuly 1, 2026
12 hours ago
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
Success
Philanthropy leader at Warren Buffett and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge says children of billionaires are pushing them to give their wealth away faster
By Preston ForeJune 27, 2026
4 days ago
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
Success
Elon Musk on MacKenzie Scott giving away $26 billion of her fortune: 'Sadly,' it makes the world a worse place
By Sydney LakeJune 29, 2026
2 days ago
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
Newsletters
The Supreme Court's birthright citizenship ruling hands the U.S. economy a $7.7 trillion win
By Diane BradyJuly 1, 2026
10 hours ago
The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
Commentary
The U.S. Army is opening military bases to private billions — here's why that changes everything for the next 250 years
By Marc AndersenJune 30, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.