Top Workplaces 2023: The best places to work in Connecticut and look how we’re growing business
Across Connecticut hybrid work set-ups are becoming more common as businesses rebound from the pandemic and state officials seek ways to increase the appeal of the state to workers and companies looking for new locations.
This is true around Greater Hartford, where Julio Concepcion, executive director of the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, has said that offices in downtown Hartford are increasingly going to a hybrid working model where some days are spent in the office.
In another local example, Talcott Financial Group has said it will relocate its Connecticut offices to downtown Hartford from Windsor, moving about 300 employees later this year into One American Row, the iconic “Boat Building.”
Talcott said it chose to relocate its Talcott Resolution life insurance operations to downtown Hartford after an extensive search, and its decision was partly based on the amenities that the city has to offer.
The lease is a welcome addition to a downtown where vacant office space is rising amid downsizings in the aftermath of the pandemic.
And across Connecticut there are hundreds of workplaces bustling with activity, ideas and entrepreneurship, with workers creating and growing in skill.
Into this exciting time to live and work in Connecticut comes this year’s Hartford Courant 2023 Top Workplaces recognition program.
For the annual Top Workplaces program, the recognition gives employees credit for what they create, raises the profile of your business or organization and lets prospective employees see that your workplace stands out.
To be a Top Workplace, any organization with 50 or more employees in Hartford, Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham counties is eligible to participate. They may be public or private, nonprofit organizations or government agencies.
Workplaces are evaluated by their employees using a 24-question survey. Companies will be surveyed during February through May.
This is the 13th year employee survey company Energage has partnered with the Courant to identify outstanding workplaces in the Greater Hartford area.
For 2022, 61 employers made the winners list. Energage invited 1,299 organizations to participate, and they were eligible provided they had 50 or more employees in the Greater Hartford area. Most of the surveying was done between February and May. Surveys went out to 28,958 employees in the region, and 15,076 responded.
Energage also determines special award winners for some employers who have standout scores in certain areas of the survey, such as leadership, values, direction, communication, meaningfulness and benefits.
Companies have said they used the Top Workplaces designation both to recruit new employees and clients.
Energage, the research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for media in 61 markets and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 8,000 organizations in 2022.
Top Workplaces honors great workplaces that operate successfully in the eyes of their employees. The program relies on employee survey feedback.
“Top Workplaces allows employers to get a read on what areas they should be celebrating and what areas they should be focusing on,” said Eric Rubino, CEO of Energage.
Energage noted the benefits of participation:
Shout out, stand out: Encourage workplace pride. If you work at a great company, give colleagues a morale boost with something to celebrate. And give your employer well-served credit for creating something special.
Assess, reward and improve: The results from the Top Workplaces survey can help assess the health of companies. They validate achievements, reveal problem areas and set a foundation for new goals.
Boost recruiting: Attract and retain the best talent. Employees want to work at companies recognized as leaders that operate by a strong set of values.
Raise the business profile: The Top Workplaces logo on company materials and websites helps spread the word about successful work environments. Customers and business partners will take notice. That awareness can help create new business opportunities, too.
Earn public recognition: Achievements are recognized by the Hartford Courant.
In the current job market, companies need to worry about recruiting, retaining and motivating employees. It’s more paramount than ever, Rubino said, that companies be intentional about a culture that prioritizes employee appreciation and recognition.
“We really need workplaces that inspire employees,” he said. “You have to really acknowledge employees genuinely and consistently.”
The first nomination deadline is March 10, 2023. Publication of the winners in the Courant will be this fall. Use this link to nominate. https://www.courant.com/nominate. Phone number for nominations: 860-256-4476.
