Letter from the business editor

Happy employees are still a priority for organizations

By Shirley Leung

Globe Staff / November 3, 2012

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When Top Places to Work launched five years ago, we were in the throes of what became known as the Great Recession. With so many employers focused on staying in business, we weren’t sure if they cared any more about how their employees were treated. We wondered the same about workers — perhaps they felt lucky just to have a job amid so many layoffs.

The economy is still recovering, and many organizations are still wary about the future. But I am happy to report that employers and employees are more mindful than ever about the importance of being appreciated at work and having opportunities for advancement.

That’s reflected in this year’s survey, which garnered the highest employer participation rates to date, with more than 300 organizations completing the process. We also welcomed a new category to the Top Places family, allowing smaller organizations — those with 50 to 99 employees — to participate. And they responded enthusiastically.

What is most impressive on our fifth anniversary is the number of organizations that have made the Top Places list every year. There are 23 of them! We have a special chart saluting those employers who have consistently given their employees the VIP treatment.