Each year Fortune magazine scrutinizes hundreds of companies, surveying employees and reviewing each company's stated philosophy, employee handbooks, and other materials to find America's 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2009.
Here are some representatives from the list with a Charlotte presence most notably in the fields of law, retail, finance and child care.
Alston & Bird
This 115-year-old law firm is heaven for parents: three months' paid leave for new moms, adoption benefits up to $7,000, special parking for pregnant moms, onsite child care, and a "maternity closet" to recycle clothing.Starbucks Coffee
From Forbes: "Despite announcing Jan. 28 it will shut another 300 stores (on top of 600 closings announced in July) and cut nearly 7,000 employees, Starbucks remains an attractive workplace, especially for part-timers seeking health insurance."Nordstrom
Even though retail sales declined in late 2008, no cuts were made in pay or benefits.CarMax
This used car retailer cushioned the layoff blow to 625 employees company-wide with a generous severance package of four to 26 weeks' pay. There are two CarMax car lots in Charlotte and one in Gastonia.Men's Wearhouse
With five Charlotte-area locations this retailer is curbing spending by freezing pay hikes for those making more than $100,000.Bright Horizons
From Forbes: "After it was taken private, thousands of employees (excluding board and executives) shared a total of $31.5 million as a result of the buyout, via the company's stock options and 401k plans."Microsoft
From Forbes: "Managers maintain "morale budgets" to stage fun events (team dinners, outings to sports events or plays) for the troops. But after adding 7,500 to payroll since 2007, software king announced January 22 that it will cut up to 5,000 jobs in the next year and a half."Deloitte
From Forbes: "Women now hold 22 percent of top positions at this accounting firm, compared with 6 percent in 1993. Minorities account for 8 percent of top positions, vs. 4 percent in 1998."Mariott International
From Forbes: "Given the travel slump, the hotel chain put every category of spending under review, reduced headcount, and left noncritical open positions unfilled. Marriott now waives co-pays for most preventive health care."There are 38 Mariott International hotels in the greater Charlotte area.