What Makes a Company a Great Place to Work? Insights from Real Employees

What makes a company stand out as a great place to work? Is it competitive pay and benefits… or something more?

To find out what today’s workforce values the most, we asked the 1,395 employees who took  our 2025 Talent Retention Survey a simple, open-ended question: In your opinion, what makes a company a great place to work?

Respondents’ answers were honest and insightful, revealing a clear picture of what separates employers of choice from the rest of the pack.

Below is a roundup of the 10 most common themes – with direct quotes from employees – to help you better understand how to hone a workplace conducive to recruiting and retaining top talent.

1. Positive Work Environment/Culture

A positive culture was the most mentioned factor across all employee responses. But a positive work environment goes beyond superficial perks; it involves an atmosphere that is genuinely supportive, healthy, and motivating. It’s a non-toxic environment where people feel good about coming to work. Here’s what survey respondents had to say:

• “A positive and supportive workplace culture and environment where employees are allowed to be themselves and management offers up their support – and where they treat you like a human being first before just another number or statistic.”
• "If there are a lot of negative employees on a job, it can be detrimental to retention. Supervisors sometimes turn a ‘blind eye’ to issues going on in their departments... Negative energy on a job can be outright exhausting. People leave and find something better."

2. Respect

Feeling respected and valued is a fundamental human need, and it’s no different in the workplace. Employees thrive when they know their contributions matter and that they are seen as more than just a means to an end. According to respondents:

• “A great company fosters a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.”
• “A company that thinks of you as a person and not just a number or a replaceable body. They value you and your work and what you do for them.”

3. Communication & Transparency

Clear, honest, and open communication builds trust. Employees want to be kept in the loop about the company’s direction, health, and decisions. Transparency from leadership eliminates uncertainty and creates a sense of security and inclusion. Some survey responses included:

• “A great place to work is a company where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired. It fosters open communication, growth opportunities, and a positive culture that balances collaboration with respect for individuality.”
• “Management and employees with emotional intelligence and maturity, mutual respect, willingness to work as a team, open and productive communication at and across all levels, company health transparency, clear mission and direction, and true commitment to work/life balance.”

4. Teamwork & Collaboration

A sense of community and shared purpose can make a significant difference between a so-so workplace and a great one. Employers that encourage collaboration in an environment where colleagues support each other and work together to achieve common goals can improve retention and engagement. Employees surveyed said:

• “A company is a great place to work when they show that they genuinely care about their employees and that each person is a part of a team.”
• “Everybody is for each other and not against one another.”

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5. Supportive & Fair Leadership

The quality of leadership directly impacts company culture. Supportive, approachable, and emotionally intelligent leaders who listen to their teams are essential. Good managers inspire, guide, and create conditions for their employees to succeed. According to employees surveyed:

• “It starts from the top down. If the [company] owner isn’t positive, you can’t expect anyone else to be.”
• “Upper management that listens to the employees and acknowledges employees that go above and beyond what is part of their job description.”

6. Work/Life Balance & Flexibility

Companies that recognize and support their employees’ lives outside of the office are highly valued. This includes respecting and offering enough flexibility to meet personal commitments. Respondents said:

• “A company that values work/life balance. They understand that in order to have the best version of me, they understand the benefits of family time.”
• “True commitment to work/life balance allows employees to take care of their home and personal life which will then allow them to work at their best level since they will not have to worry about their family, health, or job security.”

7. Growth & Development

Employees are eager to learn and advance in their careers. A great workplace invests in its people by providing clear pathways for growth, training opportunities, and  professional development.

• “Give a clear growth path and good recognition when someone is doing a great job.”
• “Promoting growth and innovation for employees. [Providing] skills and development courses…”

8. Recognition & Appreciation

A simple “thank you” can go a long way. Employees want their hard work and dedication to be acknowledged. Formal or informal recognition programs make people feel seen and appreciated, boosting morale and motivation.

• “Recognizing employees’ contributions instead of only contacting employees by pointing out an honest mistake.”
• “[A] positive culture stems from leadership with meaningful recognition.”

9. Trust & Autonomy

Micromanagement can negatively impact motivation; great companies trust their employees to do their jobs well. Providing autonomy and responsibility within their roles empowers individuals and fosters feelings of ownership and pride.

• “A sense of trust and responsibility-building. No micromanaging, just timelines, deadlines, and Plan of Actions and Milestones (POA&M) built for the success of the company and the people.”
• “Management that lets you be adults and do your job without micromanagement.”

10. Fair Compensation & Benefits

While not the only factor, fair pay and comprehensive benefits are a crucial part of the equation. Competitive compensation and benefits that align with the cost of living and industry standards show that a company values its associates’ skills and contributions.

• "Take care of the employee, and the employee will take care of the employer. The pay has to match the job description.”
• "If you don't have employee benefits and livable wages, you won’t keep employees.”

5 Bonus Employee Quotes on Workplace Excellence

The following are five additional good workplace quotes from survey respondents that didn’t quite fit into the above themes, but offer unique perspectives on what makes a good workplace:

• “A company becomes a great place to work when it consistently meets the needs and aspirations of its employees while aligning with a meaningful mission. This goes beyond perks or pay, though those matter, to include deeper qualities that foster a healthy, productive, and sustainable work environment.”

• “Community, compassion, and belonging will drive employees more than free lunch and constant meetings that never needed to be a meeting in the first place.”

• “The company will have an amazing place to work if you work in a peaceful, united and harmonious environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and loved as a whole family.”

• “Valuing employee strengths, empowering employees to weigh in on goals and priorities, giving them the authority to plan and prioritize completing assigned tasks and responsibilities… ensure employees have psychological safety to show up as their authentic selves”.

• “I believe a great place to work is a tight-knit group who strive for great success and service. That gets the job done but also looks out for every single employee.”

Final Words

The message from workers is clear: A great workplace is built on a foundation of respect, support, and trust. While competitive pay and benefits are important, the elements that define an exceptional employer are rooted in human connection – fostering a positive culture, offering work/life balance, and providing opportunities for growth.

For more tips on establishing your company as an employer of choice that effectively recruits and retains talent, check out our Resource Center.