We teamed up with the Puget Sound public to show local employers what they value in the workplace. From Sept. 26, 2008 through noon on Oct. 22, 2008, we asked visitors to vote daily for their favorite local employers in more than 30 unique categories.
On each category page, visitors entered their vote into the text box or chose from a random list of other readers' suggestions. Nominated businesses were required to have at least one paid employee other than the business owner. All voters were required to enter a code at the bottom of each page. This assured that the votes were cast by real people and not a computer program. We counted all valid votes. If we couldn't recognize a vote as a legitimate entry, or if it didn't fit within the category, we reserved the right to discard it. NWjobs further reserved the right to make final editorial decisions in cases of multiple ties. No special preference was given to advertisers or any business patronized by The Seattle Times Company or the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. NWjobs reserved the right to disqualify from the competition any businesses or individuals who attempted to unfairly influence the outcome.
Be sure to come back in the fall of 2009 to vote again in next year's NWjobs People's Picks.
Favorite creative company: an employer whose primary business is in a creative industry, such as advertising, architecture, graphic design, marketing or the arts.
Favorite health care company: an employer whose primary business is providing health care directly to patients, such as a hospital, nursing or residential care facility, outpatient care center or other health care office.
Favorite high-tech company: an employer whose primary business is at the forefront of a technology sector, such as information technology, biotechnology or aerospace technology.
Favorite hospitality company: an employer whose primary business is in a service industry, such as hotels, tourism, casinos or food service.
Favorite temp/recruitment agency: an employer whose primary business is finding temporary or permanent staff for its clients.
Favorite Seattle-area company: Employers in Seattle, South King County or Shoreline. If the business has multiple locations, votes were encouraged in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Eastside company: If the business has multiple locations, votes were encouraged in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Snohomish County company: If the business has multiple locations, votes were encouraged in the geographic category where the largest office is located
Favorite Pierce County company: If the business has multiple locations, votes were encouraged in the geographic category where the largest office is located
Best benefits: an employer that offers stellar or unusual health care and retirement plans, disability and life insurance, vacation and sick-leave policies, etc.
Coolest office space: an employer whose office space boasts exceptional views, great architecture or unusual interior design.
Favorite family-owned & -operated company: an employer that is owned and run by two or more members of the same family.
Favorite nonprofit: an employer that has registered as a nonprofit with the state of Washington.
Favorite office party: an employer that hosts a spectacular holiday shindig, a picnic in the park or another special celebration.
Favorite startup: an employer whose business was launched no earlier than January 2007.
Most eco-friendly company: an employer that strives to improve the environment, either as its main mission or by significantly reducing its own ecological impact in exceptional ways.
Most family-friendly company: an employer that gives notable consideration to the needs of working parents, such as flexible schedules, affordable day care, parental leave, etc.
Most pet-friendly company: an employer that offers special treatment to furry, finned or feathered friends.
Most unusual perk(s): an employer that offers unique morale boosters -- the little things that make your workplace a great place to be.
Large company: 250 or more employees
Small company: Fewer than 250 employees