25 best small workplaces

25 Best Small Workplaces
To determine this year’s ranking of the best small business employers, our research partners at workplace consultant <a href="http://www.greatplacetowork.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Great Place to Work</a> surveyed more than 88,000 workers at 540 companies that have between 25 and 999 employees.
<a href="http://fortune.com/best-medium-workplaces/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Click here to see the 25 Best Medium Workplaces list.</strong></a>

Workers at the toy maker say they're like a family, who help build playgrounds and share ideas at an annual company retreat. "I truly come in each day excited to see what is in store and how we are going to improve ourselves," says one employee. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/radio-flyer-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Radio Flyer

This tech startup develops cloud-based operations software for retail clients. Employees receive a $3,000 to build their own dream workspace and enjoy a highly flexible work schedule. They are encouraged to take off as much time as they need as long as they continue to meet goals—meaning they can work from home or the beach—and are told "we know that personal matters don't just happen outside of work hours." <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/square-root">Read the Great Place to Work review</a> and <a href="http://fortune.com/2015/10/21/squareroot-austin-startup/" target="_blank"><em>Fortune</em>’s story</a> on the company.

Square Root

Almost half of the employees of this privately held commercial real estate company are women, who also hold half of its leadership positions. 99% of all employees—called "Graniteers"—say they are treated fairly regardless of position and that they're proud to tell others they work for the company. New fathers are given paid paternity leave and new mothers enjoy 90 days of paid maternity leave. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/granite-properties" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Granite Properties

Not only do employees enjoy unlimited paid time off, but the company's Jacksonville Beach, Fla., offices are located directly on the beach, which means employees can go on a walk or eat their lunch while taking in the surf. The firm recruits and hires doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals for hospitals, schools, and nursing facilities. More than 75% of the staff are women, who also hold 79% of manager roles. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/professional-placement-resources" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

PPR Talent Management Group

This virtual reception desk starts employees off at $15 per hour, with an opportunity for a raise after six months and each year afterward. Five year milestones are awarded with a five week sabbatical of paid time off. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/ruby-receptionists" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Ruby Receptionists

The aerospace engineering contractors counts NASA, the NOAA, and the Department of Energy among its clients. Employees get 100% of healthcare premiums paid by the company, which covers 80% for dependents. Average total comp for an aerospace systems engineer is more than $150K. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/stellar-solutions" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Stellar Solutions

Nearly 70% of this HR consulting firm's 115 employees are women, who oversee programs for its consulting clients, which include the Leadership Lattice that promotes nontraditional career paths, and Collaborate Coaching sessions to improve work relationships. In addition to unlimited vacation and sick days, employees are given flexible scheduling and telecommuting options. And the company even has its own CSA (community shared agriculture) program, where local farmers drop off weekly produce shares for participants. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/talent-plus" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Talent Plus

The global distributor of fasteners and inventory management solutions allows all employees one week of paid time off to volunteer at a non-profit. Quarterly bonuses, an onsite fitness center, and free breakfast, snacks, and drinks every day help keep all 78 employees happy. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/field-fastener-supply-company" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Field Fastener

At Sage Rutty, a Rochester, New York-based financial advising company, the total voluntary turnover in the past year was 2 percent, thanks in part to the company's generous retirement programs, which include a profit-sharing contribution of up to 20% of annual profits. There's also a focus on employee development, with many professional and personal development classes. Women make up more than half of the workforce—and 50% of all management positions. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/sage-rutty" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Sage Rutty & Co.

The Bay Area-based engineering consulting firm has offices throughout the West Coast, and employees are encouraged to work in any of the company's other offices through exchange programs. Meanwhile, more than a third of employees take advantage of flexible scheduling to balance life and work. Employees report having great pride in their workplace -- maybe in part thanks to a generous maternity policy, comprehensive health insurance, and constant professional development opportunities. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/engeo" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

ENGEO

The Rochester, NY-based marketing and advertising company founded by CEO Lauren Dixon has just 85 employees, of which 52 are women, who also account for 77% of management roles. "Dixon Schwabl's philosophy about hiring new employees is built on the firm's 5 core values: respect, integrity, teamwork, community, and fun," according to an employee. "The agency looks for the 'wow' in prospective employees!" <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/dixon-schwabl" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Dixon Schwabl

Ted Price, founder and CEO of this independent developer of multi-platform (Xbox One, PS3, etc.) and mobile video games has group lunches with random Insomniacs on a weekly basis and meets with staffers for 30-minute one-on-one conversations. Anytime important news is announced, Price walks around to meet with departments and answer questions. Community day events invite fans to the studio for lunch and to meet the team. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/insomniac-games-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Insomniac Games

The HR consultant helps organizations create better workplaces. Nappy is encouraged and the office in Yonkers has a Renewal Room that includes a day bed, yoga mats, and lights exercise equipment. Because of the company's focused on renewed energy, all employees are given four weeks of vacation days in their first year, in addition to 15 company holidays—and the week preceding Labor Day. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/energy-project" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

The Energy Project

Limeade, an employee engagement platform that's devoted to helping other companies build happy and healthy workforces, seems to be walking its talk: a director of culture and well-being on staff makes sure that all employees are satisfied with their workplace. "People are encouraged to enjoy their time at work, and that is reflected in the attitudes of the employees, the environment of the office, and a multitude of team events that we host, both for professional training and advancement and purely for fun," says one employee. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/limeade" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Limeade

The 106-year old design firm (architecture, interiors, graphics, and branding) launched a new practice last year called Guided Performance Scorecard (GPS) to prioritize its 20 best ideas and see them to completion. A weekly Monday morning meeting is held with team leaders to review the status and progress of each initiative. The company also hosts monthly informal @4 gatherings in the late afternoon to share ideas and socialize over drinks. Occasional Creativity Fire Drills showcase each team's current design projects. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/kahler-slater" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Kahler Slater

Employees of this national consulting firm receive 100% health care coverage for themselves and their dependents. The plan also includes dental, short term disability, and life insurance. And anyone who refers business to the company receives a development incentive that amounts to 3% of the first year's revenue from the new client. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/integrated-project-management-company-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Integrated Project Management

Employees at the U.S. division of this maker of digital surveillance cameras receive a 60% discount on company products. Every new hire is flown to global headquarters in Lund, Sweden, within their first year for a three-day orientation, where they meet staff from the company's nine regions. And innovators "own" their original concepts; anyone with a greenlit idea is assigned to oversee the project to completion without being handed over to anyone else. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/axis-communications-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Axis Communications

This maker of business solutions sofware pays 100% of healthcare premiums for employees and eligible dependents, including $200 monthly payments into employees' health savings accounts. The company also offers a student loan debt repayment match of $100 per month for one member of each employee's household. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/bp3-global-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

BP3 Global

New recruits who are hired to join the Virginia-based developer of business process management software are given free corporate housing for their first month on-the-job. Employees who recruit friends are given a bonus, in addition to a "toy," which have included GoPro camera, an Xbox, and a new Apple Watch. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/macedon-technologies" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Macedon Technologies

The online resource for travel insurance has two office locations: St. Petersburg, Fla. and Fort Wayne, Indiana. Women account for half of its 27 employees. The company gives everyone a bonus each quarter, based on company profits. All employees receive unlimited paid vacation after one year on the job, and must take off at least 10 days per year to ensure a healthy work/life balance. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/squaremouth-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Squaremouth

This Michigan-based product design consultant gives all of its full-time employees corporate stock, regardless of position, and profit sharing is awarded in twice-yearly bonuses. All employees meet with a mentor or coach one a month to review long term goals. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/disher-design-and-development" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Disher Design and Development

The Portland, Ore.-based HR services company offers unlimited vacation days after one year on the job. And after five years, they're offered a 2-week paid sabbatical and $1,000 credit for an activity of their choice. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/hranswerlink-inc" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Mammoth HR

The Kalamazoo, Mich.-based wealth management firm pays 100% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision programs, for employees and their families. Costs for health club memberships are also reimbursed up to $600 per employee each year. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/greenleaf-trust" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Greenleaf Trust

Workers at this job search site are encouraged to come to work as they are, with no formal dress policy. "Comfort is key, so whether your thing is jeans and sneakers or a dress and flip flops, we're more concerned with your output and participation than your attire." <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/snagajob" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

Snagajob

This maker of business automation software organizes employee trips, including an annual skiing and snowboarding adventure and a rainforest expedition to Ecuador. The company covers half of the costs, with employees paying the rest in pre-tax installments from their paycheck. <a href="http://reviews.greatplacetowork.com/ontraport" target="_blank">Read the Great Place to Work review.</a>

ONTRAPORT

The Top 25

Announcing this year's list of the best small business employers from Great Place to Work.