Top Workplaces 2022: 15 employers earn top workplaces of Southeastern Wisconsin special honors

Beck Andrew Salgado, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·3 min read

Fifteen special awards honors in 13 categories were announced as part of the Journal Sentinel's 2022 Top Workplaces for Southeastern Wisconsin program.

This year's winners exemplified innovation, leadership, meaningfulness and other attributes that have helped employers cultivate a desirable and fulfilling workplace for their employees and customers.

Special awards recipients are chosen based on standout scores that are determined from employee responses and survey statements.

Muskego-Norway Schools, a primary and secondary school system, has been recognized for being a workplace that inspires a sense of meaningfulness in its employees.

With the school system ranking first in Wisconsin in math achievement, according to the state report card, and having a 93% staff retention rate, both staff and students benefit from the atmosphere Muskego-Norway Schools has been able to create.

One of the district's employees said “being a constant, positive influence on the students and watching them grow into confident learners and contributing members of our community” is the most meaningful part of their job.

From leadership down, Muskego-Norway Schools says it prides itself on consistent and thorough communication that helps clarify expectations and promote solutions.

“Making time as leaders to understand what's happening in the building or in our workplace really helps our employees feel as if they're cared for and listened to … it just brings a positive feeling to the workplace,” said Assistant Superintendent for Continuous Improvement Jeffrey Petersen.

The special award for new ideas went to Brighton Hospice, which spurred innovation by establishing monthly themes, goals and discussions.

One Brighton Hospice employee said “team leaders always encourage all employees to come forward with their ideas and concerns” and that the company worked to establish a suggestion box for employees to use.

Other employees commented on the collaborative nature that the company has created, saying it makes them feel valued and respected.

“I feel valued by my team leaders and members. They believe that work-life balance is critical and help me maintain the balance while delivering excellent care to our patient population and their families,” one survey respondent said.

Employees for Boucher Automotive Group, winner of the special award for training, commented on the robust training in customer relations.

Employees responding to a survey said they feel especially connected with their colleagues and that this promotes an efficient and sustainable workplace for all.

“I work for a top-notch company that has the personnel and liquidity to effect necessary changes in order to succeed and flourish in an everchanging environment. In spite, or because of our size and strength, my managers, including those at the top, will accommodate personal requests. It's like belonging to a big, powerful family,” said one Boucher employee.

Here is the list of this year's winners:

Leadership

  • Sue Marks, founder and CEO of Cielo

  • Tim Schmidt, CEO of Delta Defense

  • Brandon Briesath, owner of Touching Hearts at Home

Direction

  • Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

Managers

  • Bank Five Nine

New Ideas

  • Brighton Hospice

Doers

  • Rent-A-Daughter LLC

Meaningfulness

  • Muskego-Norway Schools

Values

  • Hunzinger Construction Company

Clued-in senior management

  • R.A. Smith Inc.

Communication

  • West Bend Mutual Insurance Company

Appreciation

  • Kapur

Work/life flexibility

  • Best Version Media

Training

  • Boucher Automotive Group

Benefits

  • Illing Packaging

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 15 employers earn top workplaces special honors