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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

2019 Best Employers in North Carolina

Johnson Price Sprinkle PA

As a new generation enters the workforce, employers must be creative to recruit and retain top talent. Companies have begun to add more unique offerings to their employee benefits, including outings to ballparks, meditation rooms, company bikes and kayaks, and intramural sports teams. In Business North Carolina’s 2019 list of Best Employers in the state, perks that emphasize a work-life balance prevail: Many of the companies on the list boast wellness programs, flexible work schedules and opportunities to volunteer in the community. In its annual survey, Best Companies Group polled employees and their employers on dozens of topics, from recruiting practices to recognition programs. Topping the list are Emerald Isle-based logistics firm Transportation Impact and Edward Jones, a St. Louis-based financial-services company that employs more than 1,300 people in North Carolina.


SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANIES (15-249 U.S. EMPLOYEES)

Cities indicate company headquarters


1. Transportation Impact

Emerald Isle, logistics consulting
U.S. employees: 66 | N.C. employees: 57

This year’s top-rated employer is all about giving back, offering employees up to 20 paid hours each year to volunteer in the community as part of its IMPACT1 initiative. When Hurricane Florence swept through eastern North Carolina, the company provided an allowance to employees with storm damage and supplied free housing to displaced workers.

 

2. Mackenzie Ryan

Raleigh, staffing
U.S. employees: 16 | N.C. employees: 16

Employees have a chance to socialize both in and out of the office with frequent happy hours, company Olympic games and barbecues. On-site personal development and stress management workshops, seminars and classes give Mackenzie Ryan employees ease of mind.

 

3. Personify

Raleigh, staffing
U.S. employees: 83 | N.C. employees: 70

Personify’s headquarters are located in a renovated Dr Pepper warehouse in downtown Raleigh, which boasts a 20-foot digital wall, DJ booth, relaxation room, bleacher-style seating, outside patio and garden, and rotating artwork by local artists.

 

4. Parrish and Partners PLLC

Columbia, S.C., engineering
U.S. employees: 60 | N.C. employees: 21

Parrish and Partners looks out for employee wellness with its employer-sponsored Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling for marital, parental or financial problems and assistance for specific conditions such as substance abuse, smoking and gambling. The company also offers perks such as lactation facilities, free snacks, work-hour flexibility and group lunches.

 

5. Forrest Firm PC

Durham, legal services
U.S. employees: 34 | N.C. employees: 34

The law firm celebrates work-life balance with fun outings such as family day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where it gathers its staff for a ball-game outing. Forrest Firm also boasts a “work from anywhere” and open PTO policy.

 

6. Versado Training

Raleigh, custom training solutions
U.S. employees: 21 | N.c. employees: 21

Versado encourages employees to bring their pets to work, providing dog beds, treats and toys around the office in addition to a fenced-in play space for the pups to romp. The company also hosts team building activities such as archery, escape rooms and bowling.

 

7. The Brooks Group

Greensboro, sales and sales-management training
U.S. employees: 34 | N.C. employees: 34

The Greensboro training company mixes work with pleasure, providing office perks such as a massage chair day, birthday celebrations, cookouts, bowling outings and more.

 

8. Samet Corp.

Greensboro, general contractor
U.S. employees: 207 | N.C. employees: 187

Samet Corp. welcomes new employees with open arms by gifting “Samet gear” packages and sending a pre-hire gift to their home. Additional perks include an on-site fitness facility, cellphone stipend, vehicle allowance, continuing education initiatives through Samet University and a robust intern program that results in future full-time hires.

 

 9. Blackman & Sloop CPAs PA

Chapel  Hill, accounting
U.S. employees: 36 | N.C. employees: 36

The Chapel Hill accounting firm organizes a variety of team-building activities, such as a boxing day out, a wine-and-design party and tax season celebrations. It provides staff with in-house motivation through activities such as midweek Zumba classes, Oreo cookie day and potato bar lunches.

 

10. WingSwept

Garner, technology
U.S. employees: 44 | N.C. employees: 44

Recent and upcoming family-friendly events offered by the Garner technology company include a mini-golf competition, cooking competitions, office Olympics, renting a movie theater and booking a box at a local minor league baseball game. Employees organize fitness activities such as morning sessions at the nearby gym, outdoor runs, pingpong matches and backyard football games.

 

11. HireNetworks

Morrisville, staffing
U.S. employees: 16 | N.C. employees: 15

HireNetworks is all about employee self-growth, offering an in-office meditation room, a wellness program, lunch-and-learns and on-site personal development and stress-management workshops.

 

12. Action Plus Ideas

Charlotte, advertising, PR, marketing
U.S. employees: 15 | N.C. employees: 15

The Charlotte firm’s office includes a workout room where employees take advantage of the company’s one-hour-a-week paid time to exercise. Action Plus Ideas also offers “Free Lunch Fridays” and company retreats.

 

13. Jackrabbit Technologies Inc

Huntersville, online class management software
U.S. employees: 56 | N.C. employees: 56

Working remotely for the online class management software company provides flexibility and work-life balance. The company keeps employees fit by offering reimbursement for stand-up desks and ellipticals for under desks and sponsoring biannual fitness challenges.

 

14. Blue Ridge Energy

Lenoir, energy services
U.S. employees: 220 | N.C. employees: 220

Employees at the Lenoir-based energy-services company are provided up to 16 paid hours annually for service. An all-day strategy employee meeting on Columbus Day keeps staff in the loop about results and strategies for the coming year.

 

 15. Nottingham

Rocky Mount, financial services
U.S. employees: 32 | N.C. employees: 32

The pet-friendly office celebrates in style: in October, every Friday is a themed day that includes food, all leading up to a costume party on the 31st. Nottingham also throws monthly themed birthday parties, including s’more cookouts or ice cream bars.

 

16. CCS Construction Staffing

Charlotte, staffing
U.S. employees: 55 | N.C. employees: 55

CCS offers a bounty of perks for its employees, including monthly happy hours, free lunch every Friday, company cookouts and free tickets to Charlotte Hornets, Knights, and Panthers games.

 

17. Johnson Price Sprinkle PA

Asheville, accounting
U.S. employees: 48 | N.C. employees: 48

In addition to providing paid volunteer hours to each employee, JPS operates on a reduced schedule from late April through December, closing at 1 p.m. each Friday. The JPS Be Greater in Wellness Program keeps its team healthy and engaged through health screenings, reduced gym memberships, group workout sessions, individualized coaching and financial rewards.

 

18. Electric Supply & Equipment Co.

Greensboro, distribution
U.S. employees: 93 | N.C. employees: 93

Employees enjoy comprehensive benefits and bonus programs along with a company outing in the summer. The distribution company often provides free meals for its staff from food trucks, local caterers and in-house chefs.

 

19. Bernard Robinson & Co. LLP

Greensboro, accounting services
U.S. employees: 150 | N.C. employees: 146

Employees can kick back and relax during the busy season with perks such as massage chairs, catered breakfasts, free ice cream and trivia contests. On Jolly Jean Fridays, employees can make a $10 donation to wear jeans; the funds are used for projects that give back to the community.

 

20. Marcellino & Tyson

Charlotte, law
U.S. employees: 15 | N.C. employees: 15

The Charlotte law firm offers perks such as flexible hours, free gym memberships and “Wine Down Wednesdays,” where employees can bond over a tall glass of vino.

 

21. Zoe Dental

Asheville, health care provider
U.S. employees: 26 | N.C. employees: 26

As a mid-workweek pick-me-up, the health care provider hosts “Wednesday Treats,” offering delectable desserts such as ice cream, pies, cakes and cookies to team members. Zoe Dental also offers incentive salaries each month that are paid in addition to base salary pay for going the extra mile.

 

22. PCL Civil Constructors Inc.

Denver, construction
U.S. employees: 90 | N.C. employees: 50

The employee-owned company prides itself on its team-building activities, including outings to sporting events, escape rooms and go-kart tracks. PCL’s Wellness Reimbursement Program promotes physical health and wellness, emotional and mental health, social and community well-being and financial fitness.

 

23. Capital Investment Cos.

Raleigh, financial services
U.S. employees: 44 | N.C. employees: 44

Capital Investment Cos. also encourages its employees to spend time together outside the workplace with corporate events such as the annual corporate retreat to Myrtle Beach.

 

24. VisionPoint Marketing

Raleigh, higher-education marketing
U.S. employees: 36 | N.C. employees: 36

VisionPoint Marketing’s monthly MVP awards program recognizes the winner with a $50 gift card and an extra half day of PTO. The company also offers quarterly events such as Fantastic Fridays, in which employees go off-site during office hours for fun outings.

 

25. Epes Logistics Services Inc.

Greensboro, transportation
U.S. employees: 208 | N.C. employees: 181

Workers ramp up their competitive spirit on Epes Olympics day, when employees compete in groups to win the gold for different events that include painting a truck while blindfolded and egg relay races.

 

26. Martin Starnes & Associates CPAs PA

Hickory, accounting
U.S. employees: 55 | N.C. employees: 55

The Hickory accounting firm keeps its employees sharp with its First 15 Reading Program, where the company pays its staff to read for the first 15 minutes of each workday. The firm also sponsors yearly fitness challenges such as the “Walk Your Way Into Summer Challenge,” complete with prizes.

 

27. Wilmington Design Co.

Wilmington, web design and digital marketing
U.S. employees: 15 | N.C. employees: 15

The design company emphasizes work-life balance by implementing new campaigns and executing quick deadlines in addition to enjoying fun events like “Pizza Thursdays” and monthly social outings.

 

28. BuildFax

Asheville, technology
U.S. employees: 44 | N.C. employees: 24

In addition to paid leave for new parents, BuildFax works with each staff member to create a tailored plan for how to successfully return to work as they make the transition to life with a new child. The company offers fun team events including bowling, river trips and LaZoom bus tours. .

 

29. Heat Transfer Sales of the Carolinas Inc.

Greensboro, commercial HVAC installer
U.S. employees: 45 | N.C. employees: 38

The Greensboro company puts family first with flexible hours to accommodate school events or taking a family member to the doctor. The commercial HVAC installer also offers free or discounted tickets to local family entertainment and sporting events.

 

30. Champion Credit Union

Canton, financial services
U.S. employees: 91 | N.C. employees: 91

Champion Credit Union employees have the opportunity to engage with the community through visiting local schools to teach financial literacy and volunteering at the local animal shelter. Company perks include on-site health fairs, casual Fridays, monthly birthday celebrations, stand-up desks and mileage reimbursement.

 

31. Verigent

Huntersville, staffing
U.S. employees: 46 | N.C. employees: 42

The Huntersville staffing company, which offers rewards trips for top performing employees and uncapped commission, hosts fun office activities such as free lunches, happy hours, spirit days, employee appreciation week and a holiday party.

 

32. ASIC North Inc.

Williston, Vt., engineering
U.S. employees: 122 | N.C. employees: 27

ASIC North employees enjoy fun outings and events such as the Durham Dark & Mysterious Ghost Walk, a company bowl-off and a family-friendly summer picnic.

 

33. SignUpGenius

Charlotte, technology
U.S. employees: 34 | N.C. employees: 34

Perks at the business include everything from potlucks and lunches to outings such as watching “Star Wars” movies, navigating an escape room and celebrating at the annual holiday party. SignUpGenius also provides a $500 annual company match for mission trips and nonprofit donations.

 

34. Consumer Education Services Inc.

Raleigh, financial services
U.S. employees: 77 | N.C. employees: 77

The Raleigh company keeps the competitive spirit alive among employees with its company cook-off and Halloween costume contest.


LARGE (250 OR MORE U.S. EMPLOYEES)

Cities indicate company headquarters


1. Edward Jones

St. Louis, financial services
U.S. employees: 45,085 | N.C. employees: 1,406

Employee compensation includes trimester bonuses, annual profit sharing and limited partnership opportunity. Benefits include paid parental leave for births or adoptions – 16 weeks for primary caregivers and two weeks for secondary caregivers.

 

2. Wharton-Smith Inc.

Sanford, Fla., construction
U.S. employees: 586 | N.C. employees: 35

The Florida-based construction firm celebrates staff with its annual employee appreciation picnic for both workers and their families at Carowinds. Wharton-Smith also hosts formal holiday parties, half-day Fridays, kickball tournaments and competitive pingpong matches.

 

3. Williams Mullen

Richmond, Va., law
U.S. employees: 427 | N.C. employees: 65

Once a year, employees gather for a fall family picnic chock full of activities. The firm offers perks such as office-wide networking breakfasts every Friday, lunch-and-learn sessions and on-site yoga classes.

 

4. Davenport & Co.

Richmond, Va., financial services
U.S. employees: 441 | N.C. employees: 29

The Virginia financial-services company’s unique retirement plan stands out: Davenport contributes 10% of an employee’s annual earnings to their retirement plan and does not require an employee contribution. It helps keep employees healthy by offering prizes and incentives for participating in walking challenges, getting biometric screenings and receiving flu shots.

 

5. Goldberg Segalla

Buffalo, N.Y., law
U.S. employees: 968 | N.C. employees: 31

This legal firm, which boasts a casual dress code, puts a personal touch into its business by sending individual cards and small tokens of appreciation for employee birthdays and work anniversaries in addition to throwing monthly birthday parties.

 

6. BDO USA LLP

Chicago, accounting
U.S. employees: 6,896 | N.C. employees: 215

BDO takes care of employees’ families and furry friends, offering adoption assistance and pet insurance. Fun workplace touches include foosball and pingpong tables.

 

7. Insperity

Houston, human-resources services
U.S. employees: 3,200 | N.C. employees: 41

Insperity provides employees with 12 hours per quarter of paid time off for volunteer service. Birthday celebrations and team-building activities provide a fun way to relieve work stress.

 

8. Protiviti

Menlo Park, Calif., consulting
U.S. employees: 2,700 | N.C. employees: 72

The global consulting firm offers a sabbatical program that allows eligible consultants to take up to three months off to pursue their own personal passions and adventures with a stipend. The company boasts an award-winning bonus employee referral program, with payouts starting at $5,000 for consultants and increasing based on position level.

 

9. Burns & McDonnell

Kansas City, Mo., architecture, engineering and construction
U.S. employees: 6,157 | N.C. employees: 35

The employee-owned company offers 2,500 internal classes annually and covers professional society fees. After six months of employment, full-time employees can apply for tuition assistance for an advanced technical degree, an MBA or some undergraduate courses.

 

10. N2 Publishing

Wilmington, publishing/printing
U.S. employees: 276 | N.C. employees: 208

Through the newly implemented N2 first-time homebuyer program, team members who have worked with the company for two years and have yet to purchase a home can receive $7,000 from N2 for a down payment. The company also offers an annual marriage enrichment stipend of $400.

 

11. Bohler Engineering

Warren N.J., civil engineering
total employees: 653 | N.C. employees: 37

Bohler, which has offices in Raleigh and Charlotte, promotes a fun work environment with in-office pingpong, pool and foosball tables and complimentary snacks, beverages and meals. Out of office, employees participate in team-building activities such as trampoline dodgeball, go-karting, escape rooms, happy hours and an Oktoberfest beer tasting.

 

12. Gallagher

Rolling Meadows, Ill., insurance
U.S. employees: 3,634 | N.C. employees: 109

Every other Friday during the summer, employees enjoy half-days. At Gallagher’s annual pancake breakfast, the company executives don aprons and take up spatulas to cook, serve and clean up breakfast for the staff.

 

13. Total Quality Logistics

Cincinnati, transportation
U.S. employees: 5,000 | N.C. employees: 274

North Carolina employees enjoy perks such as weekly contests, monthly office barber visits at its High Point office and an intramural sponsorship program, including co-ed flag football, basketball, soccer, softball, sand volleyball and a golf league. A favorite perk among staffers is the Snooze or Cruise pass, handed out as on-the-spot prizes to celebrate individual achievements or a job well done, which allows employees to either come in one hour late or leave one hour early.

 

14. Terminix Service Inc.

Columbia, S.C., pest-control services
U.S. employees: 1,109 | N.C. employees: 355

Terminix’s incentive pay plan allows employees to set their own salary and offers in-house training. The “Tickets at Work” program offers employees discounted tickets to a range of theme parks, movies and concerts.

 

15. Coastal Credit Union

Raleigh, financial services
U.S. employees: 529 | N.C. employees: 529

The member-owned financial cooperative recently raised its minimum wage for the second year in a row to $15 per hour and offers office events such as food truck rodeos and monthly lunch-and-learns.

 

16. FULL Creative

Portland, Ore., telecommunications
U.S. employees: 632 | N.C. employees: 105

Employees at the telecommunications company have the option to work remotely so they can spend more time with family and friends, and top management is always accessible.

 

17. Apptio

Bellevue, Wash., software
U.S. employees: 684 | N.C. employees: 76

Apptio throws a big shindig every year on the Durham Bulls Party Deck in addition to hosting an annual holiday party and summer picnic to celebrate its employees and their families. Employees stay fit through intramural sports leagues including kickball, cornhole, basketball and beach volleyball.

 

18. Allbridge (formerly Bulk TV & Internet)

Raleigh, technology
U.S. employees: 320 | N.C. employees: 195

The casual-dress organization offers company bikes and kayaks for employees to use daily. Catered lunch is provided to every employee each Wednesday with specific requests for those with food restrictions.

 

19. Transportation Insight

Hickory, transportation
U.S. employees: 480 | N.C. employees: 341

The Hickory-based company boasts a state-of-the-art campus with a full cafeteria, fitness center and gym to promote a healthy lifestyle from both a professional and personal standpoint.

 

20. CPI Security

Charlotte, security and automation services
U.S. employees: 702 | N.C. employees: 585

CPI offers employees free access to Carolina Panthers; Charlotte Hornets, Knights and Checkers; Durham Bulls; Greensboro Grasshoppers; and N.C. State University sporting events, as well as free tickets to events at entertainment venues such as the PNC Amphitheater. Top performers have the opportunity to go on prestigious Presidential Leadership Club trips.

 

21. Professional Builders Supply LLC

Morrisville, construction
U.S. employees: 341 | N.C. employees: 290

The construction firm keeps employees cool by providing an ice cream truck during the hot summer months and hosts family events including Durham Bulls and Charlotte Knights baseball games. Employees also have access to a corporate chaplain.

 

22. Riccobene Associates Family Dentistry

Cary, dental care provider
U.S. employees: 400 | N.C. employees: 400

The company pays 100% toward Teladoc, which offers telemedicine coverage with a board-certified physician. In addition, the staff enjoy team-building activities, potluck lunches during spirit weeks, and a holiday party.

 

 

To see a PDF of the section click here.

 

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