FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the 100 Best Companies to Work
For in Oregon?
It is a survey process conducted every year since 1994 by
Oregon Business magazine. Companies submit a sign-up
form to begin the process. Their employees then complete a job
satisfaction survey, and a company representative completes a
survey describing benefits and workplace policies.
Companies are ranked based on survey scores and are listed in
the March issue of Oregon Business as the 100 Best
Companies to Work For in Oregon. These companies are also
honored at a Portland awards ceremony in late February or early
March. Davis, Hibbitts & Midghall of Portland provides
assistance to Oregon Business to conduct the survey
and report results to participating companies.
<return to top>
Why should our company
participate?
A primary benefit of the 100 Best process is the dialogue
generated between employees and management. Employees get a
welcome chance to voice their opinions about a wide variety of
workplace aspects and employers gain valuable feedback about
the business from those on the front lines. Regardless whether
a company makes it onto the list, the surveys are excellent
tools for promoting a continually improving workplace with high
morale. All participating companies may order complimentary or
premium reports analyzing their survey results, which can be
especially useful for furthering the dialogue with employees as
well as setting priorities for improvement. Of course, if a
company does rank among the 100 Best, it is an excellent
promotional opportunity and may help draw highly qualified job
candidates to the organization.
<return to top>
How does the employee survey
work?
Employees receive an access code from their company
representative (typically a human resources professional).
Next, the employee completes the survey online (from any
computer with Internet access). The survey takes approximately
15 minutes. Answers are strictly confidential and anonymous.
Employees can also complete a hard-copy survey if they do not
have access to the Internet — companies may be charged a
handling fee for this service. Employee Survey rules and
guidelines...
<return to top>
How does the employer survey of
benefits work?
The company designates a representative, typically a human
resources professional, to complete the benefits survey. This
representative will use an access code to complete the survey
online. The benefits survey has been designed to suit all types
of companies and organizations (i.e., nonprofits, privately
held companies, small companies, government agencies, etc.). Benefits Survey rules and
guidelines...
<return to top>
What kinds of employers may sign
up to participate?
Public and private companies, nonprofit organizations, and
government agencies are all eligible.
<return to top>
What kinds of employees can take
the survey?
Only regular employees of an employer's Oregon sites may take
the employee survey. Temporary workers and contractors are not
permitted to participate since they are not entitled to the
same benefits and protections, and often work off-site or for
short-term periods. Out-of-state employees are not eligible
unless they work directly for an Oregon or Clark County, Wash.
site. However, part-time employees, owners, partners, managers
and other executives may take the survey so long as they work
in Oregon and are long-term participants in the
organization.
<return to top>
How many employees are required to
participate?
A minimum of 15 Oregon employees or 20% of the Oregon
workforce (whichever is greater) must complete the survey. Once
a company signs up, all their Oregon employees should be
invited to participate..
<return to top>
Does a participating organization have to
be headquartered in Oregon?
No, as long as it has at least 15 of Oregon employees.
<return to top>
What are the deadlines for
participation?
The 2009 survey opens August 18, 2008 . Oregon
Business will contact all former 100 Best participants
with a link to the sign-up form. If you represent an interested
company, organization or agency that has not previously
participated, please send an e-mail to
100best@oregonbusiness.com with your contact information.
The sign-up link will also be posted to www.oregonbusiness.com/100best/ by August
11.
<return to top>
How are the 100 Best Companies
scored?
The score from the employee surveys (based on average
satisfaction ratings) at each company counts for 5/6 of its
final score. The score from the employer survey of benefits
counts for the remaining 1/6 of the final score.
<return to top>
What are the promotional opportunities
for companies that rank among the 100 Best?
The 100 Best Companies will receive an award certificate, and
will have online access to logos and other promotional
materials following the 100 Best event in early March. These
can be used on company letterhead, Websites, t-shirts, etc.
<return to top>
What will my company learn from the 100
Best?
After completion of the survey, all participating companies
— whether or not they rank among the 100 Best — can
order customized reports of their survey results from
Oregon Business' 100 Best research partner, Davis,
Hibbitts & Midghall. An overview of how employees assess
their workplace will be complementary. More detailed reports
— including survey satisfaction and importance ratings,
employee write-in comments, benefits analysis, and statewide,
industry and demographic data — will be available for a
fee.
<return to top>
Is the employee survey available in
other languages?
The survey is also available in Spanish and Russian. E-mail Brandon Sawyer to
request a copy.
<return to top>
Who can I contact with questions or
problems with the 100 Best process?
Brandon Sawyer is the 100 Best project manager. He can be
reached at 503.223.0304, ext. 228, or by sending an email to 100best@oregonbusiness.com.
<return to top>
