Local businesses make 'Best Companies to Work for in Oregon' list

Mar. 22—Thirteen Rogue Valley businesses are winning their employees' hearts with good pay and perks such as dog-friendly workplaces, flexible schedules and free gym memberships.

This year, 13 Rogue Valley businesses won spots on Oregon Business magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon" list.

Thousands of employees across the state answered survey questions, and the magazine assigned scores to businesses based on the answers.

"Retaining employees — and making sure they have high job satisfaction — after two years of COVID fatigue, record burnout and high turnover is no small task," said Christen McCurdy, editor of Oregon Business. "Those who made the list should be commended for their commitment to workplace best practices."

Companies are competing for workers at a time of record job openings in Oregon plus an unemployment rate hovering just over 4%, according to the Oregon Employment Department.

While solid pay and benefits remain important to workers, businesses that made the top 100 list also came up with creative ways to attract, keep and reward employees.

Many recognized the need for family-friendly policies and benefits that help workers balance their lives and stay healthy, according to the Oregon Business magazine survey results.

The engineering firm RHT Energy in Medford allows employees to work from home or the office, depending on individual needs. It also offers healthful snacks, massage chairs and regular movie nights.

Rogue Creamery in Central Point pays its workers to volunteer in the community for two days a year. Employees also have eight weeks of paid parental leave. The company will match employee contributions to the revamped 401(k) retirement plan up to 6% of a worker's pay.

"They cover the majority of my health benefits, too, which is awesome," one worker wrote in the survey.

Dogs and kids are welcome to join their parents at work at Grants Pass-based Ausland Group. The architecture, engineering and construction firm also offers remote work and flexible schedules.

"Ausland's culture has really shined during the pandemic in caring for all of our team members," an employee wrote in the survey.

In Medford, UScellular offers free memberships to care.com to help workers find care for children, pets and elderly family members. The company formerly known as U.S. Cellular provides access to wellness programs.

Workers at KDP Certified Public Accountants in Medford praised the company's work-from-home policy, opportunities for growth, inclusive culture and family-like atmosphere.

In addition to a variety of benefits, some Rogue Valley companies are helping their workers further their educations and get career training.

Medford-based Rogue Credit Union offers tuition reimbursement, interest-free loans, free gym memberships and an on-site fitness facility. The company also offers up to 320 hours of protected leave for employees.

Metal Masters, a Medford heating and air conditioning company, provides a four-year training program, supports local community causes, pays well, provides vacation and holiday pay and offers bonus incentives, employees said in the survey.

"They encourage their employees to strive to be the best they can be," a worker wrote.

S&B James Construction Management in White City nourishes the minds and bodies of its workers with higher education opportunities, a fully stocked break room and regularly purchased lunches for the office and remote teams. Employees said the company also strives to be environmentally friendly.

Other Rogue Valley companies won praise from their employees for creating a positive work culture.

Workers lauded the camaraderie and positive energy at Garrison's Home furniture store in Central Point. They also get discounts for themselves and their friends and family members.

"We have a palpable energy that makes it enjoyable to come to work every day," an employee wrote in the survey.

An employee at Quantum Innovations in Central Point said the eyeglass-coating company trusts its workers and values them as human beings.

"We grew throughout the pandemic, and I believe it's because we focused on helping others," a worker wrote in the survey.

Workers at Medford-based Star Body Works said the company treats them like family members.

An employee of the information technology business Tekmanagement in Medford couldn't be lured away, even for higher pay, because the company is so caring and compassionate, according to what a worker wrote on the survey.

Outlier Construction in Medford holds quarterly gatherings to thank its employees and acknowledge successes.

"Our leadership cares about us and our families," an employee wrote. "It has been a trying year with COVID-19, and they have been extremely accommodating and flexible."

Beyond the Rogue Valley, unusual perks offered by other companies on the top 100 list include scholarships for the children of workers, money to set up a home gym, money to set up a home office, an employee discount on a house built by the worker's company, money for first-time home buyers, massages, trips to Hawaii, profit-sharing, bonus pay for taking a vacation, half-day Fridays, theater and sports events tickets, wine parties and group athletic challenges such as taking part in the Hood-to-Coast relay.

To see the complete list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in Oregon, visit oregonbusiness.com.

Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or valdous@rosebudmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.