2 MD Employers On Fortune’s 100 Best Companies List

MARYLAND — Two companies with headquarters in Maryland have been named to Fortune’s 100 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.

Companies in Maryland included on the list and their ranking in the top 100 are:

Marriott International, ranked No. 10, headquarters in Bethesda

The hotel, casino and resorts company employs 140,000 people who work at over 8,000 properties under 30 brands spanning 139 countries and territories. The onset of COVID-19 hit the hospitality industry hard, but Marriott continues to work toward a better employee experience. Over the past year, the company has enhanced its retirement savings program, boosting matching, reducing vesting time frames, and broadening eligibility. With an eye toward inclusivity and diversity, Marriott also rolled out part-time management positions, which the company says allows it to tap into a broader talent pool.

Brightview Senior Living, ranked No. 92, headquarters in Baltimore

This aging services company strives to create resort-style living experiences for its senior clientele as well as a welcoming work environment for its 5,300 employees, with an emphasis on diversity, training, and professional partnerships. In 2022, the company’s increased focus on diversity prompted Brightview to work with an expert to develop a suite of trainings tailored to various job roles throughout the organization, from management to frontline workers. The company began offering a financial wellness program in 2022 as part of the employee benefits package. “There are always opportunities for growth no matter what department you work in,” one employee said. “Management shows appreciation to employees, from voicing recognition of hard work to giving gift cards and premium pay when working extra shifts if needed.”

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.