The Salt Lake Tribune’s annual Top Workplaces report recognizes Utah companies in a variety of categories such as leadership, new ideas and work-life balance.
Now in its eighth year, the survey is conducted by Energage, a Philadelphia-based research and consulting firm.
Here are the leadership honorees and special awards for 2021:
Leadership: large company
Julie Castle, Best Friends Animal Society • Employees of this Kanab-based animal welfare nonprofit admire their CEO’s dependability and compassion, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Julie is a true innovator and leader,” one employee wrote. “She models the values of Best Friends and leads with a calm and motivating presence.”
Another noted “the way she looks out for her people and the animals first.”
Leadership: midsize company
Vivien Böhme, Böhme • The CEO of the Sandy-based clothing brand Böhme is described by employees as welcoming, encouraging and unafraid to try new things.
“They believe in their employees,” a worker wrote, “and want to help them succeed individually and as a group.”
Another said Böhme “trust[s] employees and always push[es] us to be the best, which gives us the confidence we need.”
Leadership: small company
Joshua Christopherson, Achieve Today • Employees of this Orem-based education technology company appreciate the CEO for his cheerfulness, positivity and willingness to help out.
One employee wrote that Christopherson “will always appreciate the work you do,” while another noted that “he assigns tasks to me because he knows that I am capable.”
Direction
Awardco • Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Provo, Awardco partners with Amazon to help businesses give employees rewards they actually care about, from products and gift cards to event tickets and hotel reservations.
Employees value its growth and its great people, particularly founder and CEO Steve Sonnenberg.
“Steve has shown a very authentic appreciation and respect for this entire organization,” one worker wrote. “He practices what he preaches.”
Said another: “There’s a lot of room for growth and everyone’s input is valued.”
Managers
BambooHR LLC • Headquartered in Lindon, this human resources software company serves more than 22,000 customers in 100 countries. Employees offered nearly 40 comments expressing appreciation for their managers.
“My manager believes in me even more than I believe in myself,” wrote one. “I would not be the professional I am today without my manager.”
Another worker feels “100% supported by my manager, who trusts me to do my very best work, and who will then provide help and guidance.”
BambooHR mangers — male and female — won praise:
“He holds one-on-one meetings every other week, in which he answers as many questions as I have and also gets to know me as a person,” wrote on commenter. “He makes sure I know I can directly message him any time and he responds to my messages quickly, even if he’s busy.”
Said another: “My manager asks for my input, offers me advice, but then allows me to choose what I want to do with that info. She gives me space to do my own thing, but also I know that I can reach out whenever and she will help out as soon as possible.”
New ideas
Twistlab Marketing • This Cottonwood Heights marketing agency was founded in 1999. Clients consist of small businesses that are competing against larger corporations with more resources.
“My job is my creative outlet in many ways,” wrote an employee. “I get to find solutions to challenging problems all day long. These solutions make big differences to both our internal and external clients.”
Doers
Onset Financial Inc. • Draper-based Onset Financial Inc. helps businesses secure equipment financing.
Employees noted the company is efficient at training employees and approving deals.
“I am able to help companies throughout the country with our capital,” one wrote. “This is extremely challenging and extremely rewarding. Onset provides us with everything we need to be phenomenal at our job and not get buried by the difficult nature of the job.”
Meaningfulness
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area • Since 1988, this nonprofit has been providing a home away from home to families of hospitalized children. This eases daily burdens and allows families to focus on the well-being of the kids.
“The work I do every day makes a difference in the lives of children and families who are going through a very difficult time,” wrote one employee. “I feel included by every department in decision-making and know that my voice matters.”
Another said that the job “is like working with your family; everyone is loving, caring and all-in. I can be my truest self. This is truly the best job I’ve ever [had] and I look forward to many years here.”
Values
MX • Founded in 2010, the financial data platform MX is headquartered in Lehi. Employees wrote that the company never compromises user data and that interdepartmental cooperation is an important part of operations.
Many also noted how valued and supported they’ve felt during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“MX understands that COVID has hit us hard, especially with bills going up while working from home,” one wrote. “That’s why they’ve given us an extra $200 per paycheck until we’re able to go back into the office again.”
Said another: “They care for our mental and physical health as well as our success.”
Clued-in senior management
Chatbooks • This Lehi-based company provides easy-to-use photo printing services to make scrapbooking simple and efficient. Employees noted how involved senior managers are, particularly in their constant and direct communication.
“There is no chain of command or messages passed down from the ‘higher-ups,’” one wrote. “We get necessary information directly from the source, and this reassures me that they know what’s really going on.”
Another wrote that “customer support directors are right there with us in the thick of it, searching for answers, solutions, [and] providing insight and responses for us. ... My stresses are their stresses, their goals are my goals, my wins are their wins.”
Communication
Health Catalyst Inc. • Headquartered in South Jordan, the company helps health care organizations improve clinical, financial and operational outcomes. Employees appreciate the company’s transparency, openness and overall direct communication.
“I like knowing what is going on and the direction we are moving,” one wrote. “I like feeling [like] a part of the bigger picture and seeing where my work fits in and contributes to our overall success.”
Another lauded the company’s transparency. “There are no surprises,” the worker wrote, “as we know what is happening in so many aspects of the business.”
Appreciation
eLuma Online Therapy • The Lehi company provides affordable, high-quality and specialized online speech therapy services. Employees commented that their colleagues, particularly managers, express appreciation for them and are open to new ideas.
One commented that “the leadership makes an effort to get to know everyone on a professional and personal level,” while another got a raise just six months after being hired, “which was an incredible surprise and greatly appreciated.”
Said one worker: “The mission behind what we are doing is extremely gratifying. I feel like I actually get to make an impact daily and work with a leadership that leads by example.”
Work-life flexibility
Emmersion • This Lehi education technology company has developed artificial intelligence-driven language assessments that provide reports in languages from Spanish to Japanese.
“My manager is very understanding and never pressures me... to work at certain hours,” one employee commented.
“I have great flexibility,” wrote another, “and I feel like my work is appreciated and has an effect on the overall success of the company.”
Training
Tanner LLC • Located in Salt Lake City, Tanner LLC is Utah’s largest locally owned public accounting firm. One employee appreciated the formal training sessions on technical topics such as revenue recognition and leases.
“I am happy with the internal and external training Tanner provides,” stated another worker. “I believe we get the best of both worlds.”
Benefits
Recursion • Founded in 2013, this biotechnology company is located in Salt Lake City’s Gateway. Employees commented on Recursion’s generous benefits, from 100% paid medical, dental and vision care to 401(k) matches, fair pay and stock options.
“I find the health care benefits very valuable [as well as] the flexible vacation time and unlimited sick days,” one wrote. “At other jobs, I stressed a lot about whether or not I could plan a trip and have enough time off.”
Another worker pointed out a love for the mission — “not just our mission to decode biology to radically improve lives, but, more specifically, targeting orphan patient populations” — but added “the benefits package and flexible hours don’t hurt either.”
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