Stamford Employer On Fortune's Best Companies List

STAMFORD, CT — A Stamford employer has been named to Fortune’s Best Companies To Work For list.

Fortune’s list is based on a Great Place To Work survey that measures how employees feel about where they work, as well as the key behaviors that drive trust in management, connection with colleagues and loyalty to the company.

Synchrony Financial, one of the largest issuers of store-branded credit cards in the U.S., jumped five spots on the Best Companies to Work For list this year, to No. 20. It is the only Connecticut employer to make the list.

Notably, the company recently revamped its performance review process, tossing out ratings altogether and substituting a single evaluation in favor of three formal conversations throughout the year. Synchrony also offers pays up to $24,000 per year in tuition costs and academic fees for full-time employees. Not enticing enough? Last year, Synchrony launched its new sabbatical and employee balance programs. The former allows employees to take from one month to a year off from work while still receiving a base salary to cover their benefits. The latter allows them to work only 20 hours a week for an agreed upon period, also with benefits, according to Forbes.

In the confidential survey using a five-point scale, employees answered 60 questions about their organization’s culture. Two open-ended questions were also included.

Specifically, the questions dealt with whether leaders are accessible, communicate honestly and clearly, and if their actions match their words. Employees also weighed in on whether they feel respected as individuals, if they receive training benefits, appreciation, support for their well-being and opportunities to contribute.

The results are calculated across demographic groups and roles within each organization to assess how widely the employee experience is shared.

Employers are asked for feedback, answering six questions to suss out which have developed the most generous, caring and innovative programs to meet their employees’ diverse needs both at and away from work, as validated by the employee survey results.