In a tough economy, workers are happy just to have a job. At RAND Engineering & Architecture, PC, employees are happy to have not just a job but a job at a Best Place to Work.
For the second year in a row, RAND was named one of the "Best Places to Work in New York City" by Crain's New York Business. RAND ranked number 8 overall out of 40 firms that made the list and second among small firms (50 to 149 employees in the United States). It was only one of four engineering or design firms on the list.
The rankings were based on nearly 14,000 surveys of New York City employees at more than 150 firms. To be eligible, companies must have 25 or more employees in New York City. Responses from employees, who answered a confidential 76-question survey, accounted for 75% of the total score. Results from employer surveys, which included questions about benefits, policies, and practices, made up 25%.
The employee survey asked workers to rank their firms in eight categories. RAND's staff gave their firm the highest marks in "Relationship with Supervisor" (97% responding favorably), "Leadership and Planning," "Employee Engagement," and "Corporate Culture and Communications" (all 96%). RAND's total survey average in all eight areas was 93%.
Fun and Nuturing
Crain's profile of RAND highlighted the firm's emphasis on mentoring employees and helping them learn the company's culture. It also praised RAND for its fun, nurturing environment evidenced by a company recreation room with pool table and employee travel souvenirs, an exercise facility, and weekly in-house yoga classes.
"We've tried to foster a workplace that's more than just work," said Stephen Varone, AIA, founder and President of RAND. "By giving employees the opportunity to bring their personalities to the office and encouraging their individual passions and talents, we've helped each other grow in our careers and become a more successful company."
Added Steven Tingir, RAND's chief specification writer: "The company makes people proud of what we do."
