SANTA FE, NM (BRAIN) — Outside magazine released its 2013 list of Top 100 best places to work, and more than a dozen bike companies made the list this year, including SRAM, QBP, CamelBak and Honey Stinger.
Santa Cruz Bicycles was No.38 on the list. Outside’s editorial staff said, “Employees get plenty of time to sample the product, thanks to flexible work hours that allow them to grab daytime rides.”
Another perk: “Employees design their personal dream bike at a steep discount,” the magazine said.
The bike brand, which is entering its 20th year in business, employs 79 out of offices in Santa Cruz, California.
QBP announced the company’s fourth consecutive appearance on the list via its Facebook page. Among the perks of working for CEO Steve Flagg: Longtime employees can take paid leave to promote cycling at their nonprofit of choice. The company was No. 68.
Social fitness app developer Strava, which was No. 41, stood out among other companies that offered good perks due to its flex-time policies. Employees there are allowed 25 vacation days a year and encouraged to take time from their day to hit the trail or road.
At Training Peaks, with offices in Boulder, Colorado, employees get reimbursed up to $1,200 for fitness-related purchases. They also get free access to the employer’s fitness software and plans. The training software company ranked 21st on the list.
Another Boulder company, market research firm Leisure Trends Group, also made the list at No. 84.
“We are thrilled and honored to be on the Top 100 list for the second year in a row,” said Charlie Cooper, president of Leisure Trends Group. “It's satisfying to be recognized for the efforts we make to provide a best-in-class work environment."
Outside's "Best Places to Work" recognizes companies that set a standard for a healthy work-life balance. The list, now in its sixth year, was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group.
The yearlong selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of nonprofit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in an office in the United States. Participating companies were sent confidential employee satisfaction surveys and employer questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives and community outreach programs. The experts at the Best Companies Group then analyzed the results and selected the companies that enable employees to pursue active lifestyles while also supporting their social and environmental contributions.
This year's list also highlights companies that offer the best perks, including fitness-friendly companies, those with the best benefits and the best social/environmentally responsible organizations.
To see the full list, go to OutsideOnline.com/bestplacestowork.
