25 best companies for work-life balance
(MoneyWatch) What are the best U.S. companies to work for?
Glassdoor, an online community of employees for job-seekers, compiles an annual list of the top 25 companies for work-life balance. Rating their companies on a five-point scale and indicating their overall level of satisfaction, workers evaluated companies based on their compensation, benefits, career opportunities and quality of leadership.
Here's a look at the companies that made this year's list.
Fluor Corporation - 4.1
Based in Oshkosh, Wis., Fluor (FLR) offers global engineering, procurement, construction, maintenance and project management services. Said a former mechanical engineer with the company, according to Glassdoor, "I am disappointed I no longer work for this caliber of a company."
W.L. Gore & Associates - 4.1
W.L. Gore makes fluoropolymer products, such as GORE-TEX fabrics. The Newark, Del., company has more than 9,500 employees in manufacturing facilities and sales offices in 30 countries. Gore has ranked in the top 50 of Fortune Magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" since 1998.
Navteq - 4.1
A Chicago subsidiary of Finland's Nokia, Navteq specializes in digital maps. On striking a decent balance between work and life, Navteq employees are "very satisfied," according to Glassdoor. One former traffic editor in Pittsburgh said on the forum that Navteq "felt like home away from home."
Bain & Co. - 4.1
Headquartered in Boston, Bain & Co. is one of the world's leading business consulting firms, with offices in 31 countries. On its career website, the company says that "our people are our strongest asset." That's why it selects people with "the ambition to make a difference."
Southern California Edison - 4.1
SCE, a subsidiary of Rosemean, Calif.-based Edison International, serves more than 14 million electric customers in a 50,000 square-mile area.
Hitachi Data Systems - 4.2
Hitachi Data Systems, a subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., has more than 5,700 employees who provide storage systems, software and services to more than 80 percent of the Fortune Global 100. HDS is "a work place for adults," said one employee, according to Glassdoor.
Citrix Systems - 4.2
Citrix Systems (CTXS), a Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based software developer, currently staffs 7,300 employees, up 250 since last month. "If you do good work, your manager leaves you alone to do your work without micro management," says a Glassdoor user.
Wayfair - 4.2
Boston-based Wayfair, with more than 1,000 employees, sells home furnishings on the Internet. A Glassdoor member said that working for the company is "very rewarding and allows a strong work-life balance."
Morningstar - 4.2
Morningstar (MORN), a Chicago provider of independent investment research, has more than 1,000 employees and operates in 27 countries.
Discover Financial Services - 4.2
Discover (DFS) issues the Discover Card, the third-most popular credit card in the U.S. A current manager in Riverwoods, Ill., described Discover as "good company to work for."
Slalom Consulting - 4.2
Seattle's Slalom Consulting offers business and technology expertise. On Glassdoor, a consultant with the firm characterized it as "a growing company with great potential" with "fantastic, experienced, smart people to work with."
Susquehanna International Group - 4.2
SIG, a Philadelphia, Pa.-based quantitative trading firm, uses its own capital to trade equities, derivatives and other financial products in global markets. The privately held company offers many "great perks beyond the free food, like an annual poker tournament and annual trip to a ball game," said one employee, according to Glassdoor.
Novell - 4.3
Novell builds software for businesses. "The salary and benefits are competitive for the local IT industry," said a current Novell director in Provo, Utah, according to Glassdoor. "Novell has a great culture and facilities (on-site fitness center, cafeteria, credit union, etc.) in Provo and offers a flexible work environment."
Orbitz Worldwide - 4.3
Orbitz Worldwide (OWW), a Chicago Internet company, makes online reservations for travelers. According to Glassdoor, an Orbitz Worldwide employee said the company is "on the up."
Rackspace Windows Systems - 4.3
Rackspace (RAX), based in San Antonio, Texas, is an IT service provider. An employee told Glassdoor that the company offers "outstanding environment and culture."
United Space Alliance - 4.3
USA specializes in spaceflight operations. The Houston company, a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, provides services for customers in the defense, civil and commercial outer-space industries. A USA engineer said on glassdoor that the company offers flexible hours, good health insurance and a great work environment.
FactSet - 4.3
A FactSet software engineer said that working for the financial and investment technology company is "unexciting, but fair." The company offers "excellent benefits and extremely flexible scheduling."
LinkedIn - 4.3
"I love the workout sessions and work-life balance that is encouraged," said a recruiter for the Mountain View, Calif., professional networking company. "I have never had an opportunity to work with people who are so incredibly smart, in such a fun, open and collaborative environment before."
National Instruments - 4.3
Austin, Texas-based National Instruments makes data converters and other electronic devices for engineers and scientists. "The company supports personal initiatives and encourages people's many interests, both work- and hobby-relaed," a National Instruments test engineer said.
REI - 4.3
REI sells outdoor gear. According to the Kent, Wash.-based company's website, REI has made Fortune's list of "100 Best Companies to Work For" every year since 1998. "Your manager is serious and cares about work-life balance of his/her staff," a REI analyst wrote on Glassdoor.
CareerBuilder.com - 4.4
Chicago online employment service provider CareerBuilder employs approximately 2,000 people in the U.S., Europe, Canada, Asia and South America. A software engineer with CareerBuilder said on Glassdoor that the company offers a lower salary than industry standards, but provides great benefits, casual dress code, and good balance between home and work.
SAS Institute - 4.4
SAS Institute, a Cary, N.C., business software maker, "is a great place to work, but you have to be there a very long time to advance," noted a SAS Institute employee, according to Glassdoor.
Agilent Technologies - 4.4
One Agilent Technologies firmware development engineer said of the measurement software maker, "Agilent is an amazing place to work." The employee said the company pays "a little less" than its competitors, but "believes strongly in work/life balance."
The North Highland Company - 4.5
Atlanta consulting firm North Highland employs thousands of people in 53 offices in the U.S. and around the world. "You really have the freedom to mold your own career path," said a current senior consultant in Atlanta, according to Glassdoor.
MITRE - 4.5
Based in Bedford, Mass., and McLean, Va., MITRE is a not-for-profit national technology firm offering systems engineering, research and development, and information technology support. A MITRE senior analyst said on Glassdoor that you can "grow your skills, keep a work life balance, and work with highly intelligent and ethical people" at MITRE.