CentrAL INC\'s 2023 Great Places to Work

Check out Central INC’s list of attributes found at great places to work, along with some tips on how owners, bosses and managers can put them into action.

To the Point: Remember, your definition of a great place to work is likely as unique as you are. So, make your own list and look for a work home that fits your personality and your priorities.

Many of us spend more than half our waking hours each week at our job. We all hope to be happy during at least most of these moments and fulfilled by our roles. And, because it’s such a significant amount of time, what we experience during these hours affects our lives outside of work, too. So, we don’t just want to work at any place, we want to work at a great place. For business owners and employers, creating a great place to work is foundational to success. A great place to work often leads to employees who are more committed to their part in a company’s success, more productive and more willing to remain at the company long term. But what makes a great place to work great? Hint: It’s more than money.

1. Work Life Balance

Creating a work environment that helps employees and team members strike a healthy equilibrium in their job life and their home life.

Achieve It:

- Provide flexible office hours.

- Show support for family and personal commitments.

2. Compensation & Benefits

Offering competitive pay, but it doesn’t stop there.

Achieve It:

- Offer bonuses.

- Offer benefits including health insurance and retirement plans.

- Offer wellness programs like free or subsidized health club memberships.

- Provide free meals and snacks in office and/or at work events.

3. Diversity & Inclusion

Making an intentional effort to create a team with diverse backgrounds, ages, genders and races to encourage and advance differing viewpoints, beliefs and perspectives.

Achieve It:

- Make the promotion of diversity, equity and inclusion a core value.

- Implement specific programs and initiatives that support underrepresented groups.

4. Great Innovation & Creativity

Fostering a culture that encourages the sharing of new ideas, taking risks and experimentation.

Achieve It:

- Stay open to change.

- Listen to and respect employees’ suggestions and ideas.

- Encourage collaboration

5. Leadership & Teamwork

Promoting strong leadership and positivity with a focus on employee empowerment.

Achieve It:

- Hold regular meetings to update everyone on successes and weaknesses and brainstorm solutions to issues.

- Seek (and take to heart!) employee feedback.

- Be confident and consistent in decision making.

- Assure all supervisors and managers are easily accessible with an open-door policy.

- Recognize and reward contributions.

6. Great Office Vibe

Making the workplace comfortable, upbeat and fun.

Achieve It:

- Encourage camaraderie outside the office with after-work events and support the organization of office book clubs, sports teams, etc.

- Celebrate the completion of projects and other successes with an office lunch or party.

- Celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries and holidays with treats and décor.

- Establish a bring your pet to work day.

- Create a snack station or game room.

7. Corporate Social Responsibility

Continually demonstrating a commitment to bettering your community and world.

Achieve It:

- Make ethical business practices and transparency a core value.

- Show financial support for charitable causes and encourage employees to donate money and time to their favorite nonprofit by matching their gifts and providing time off for volunteering.

- Create a greener workplace by implementing sustainable practices.

8. Career Development

Investing in your employees’ professional growth.

Achieve It:

- Offer time off and/or money for pursuing advanced degrees or certificates.

- Implement continuing education opportunities like conferences and seminars and offer time off or money to attend.

- Pay for memberships in professional organizations.

9. Employee Engagement

Prioritizing employees’ interest in their work and satisfaction with their work.

Achieve It:

- Ensure employees understand your business’ vision and their role in attaining it.

- Clearly communicate goals.

- Make an effort to create relationships across departments and levels with programs that foster a supportive and connected work environment.

The Office Scoop: What is the No. 1 quality that makes a company or business a great place to work?

“Having a great leader who knows how to be a player! This really sets the tone for a work environment. If you have a great leader, then you’ll always want to do your best.\”- Shantavis Core, Southeast Alabama Area Health Education Center

“A positive and productive work culture that creates happier, more productive employees, which in turn decreases turnover and other measurables that directly affect a company’s bottom line.\”- Joshua Byrd, River Bank & Trust

“No one wants to work for a company that is dry and purely output driven. Having fun is areal strategy that grows loyalty and efficiency. Happy employees produce more happily.”- Pace Josey, MAX Credit Union

“Leadership’s ability to invest into their people through training and development. Most employees want to know they are more than a number and truly bring value to the company. If my company continuously invests in ways to sharpen my skillset, I am more prone to remain a loyal employee.”- Brittney McCurry-Wingate, The Region: HR Consulting Firm