The nation's best places to work are setting the bar for worker benefits with offerings such as fully paid sabbaticals, student loan repayment programs and subsidized childcare, according to Fortune magazine.
Fortune released its annual 100 Best Places to Work list on Thursday, and companies that sit atop the list offer an array of employee perks and benefits that would be the envy of most American workers.
For example, most or all of the companies at the top of the list offer telecommuting, college tuition reimbursement, sick days and health insurance for part-timers. A good number of companies also have their own fitness centers and some offer unlimited sick days.
This year, the company that ranked number one on the list was a bit of a surprise. It's a 100-year-old company thas has been on the list for only four years, and which last year ranked at 33. Fortune notes that the company didn't rocket up the list by accident: A new CEO took over in 2007 with a commitment to treating employees better.
New policies were implemented and, at the same time, the company saw its share price swell, according to Fortune.
Read the following top 10 list to find out which company ranked at number one:
10. Boston Consulting Group
Boston
The management consulting company offers 100 percent health coverage, unlimited sick days, fully paid sabbaticals and sick days for part-timers. "The white-shoe consulting firm strives to support junior associates, from grad school test prep and essay feedback to average tuition reimbursement of $17,386 per year, the highest on the list," Fortune said.
9. Texas Health Resources
Arlington, Texas
This nonprofit network of 350 hospitals and health-care facilities offers on-site fitness and medical care facilities, health insurance for part-timers and college tuition reimbursement. The company's average base pay is $114,705, according to Fortune.
8. Ultimate Software
Weston, Fla.
The management software company offers 100 percent health coverage, subsidized childcare, health insurance and sick days for part-timers and college tuition reimbursement. Employees get $300 per year toward kids’ extracurricular activities, and veterans get an annual cash bonus, Fortune said.
7. Edward Jones
St. Louis
The broker-dealer offers job sharing, compressed work weeks, health insurance for part-timers and college tuition reimbursement. Average base pay is $93,493.
6. Cisco
San Jose, Calif.
The networking technology company offers job sharing, subsidized childcare and on-site gyms and medical care facilities. "Cisco emphasizes community, giving every employee 40 hours of paid time off per year to volunteer," Fortune said.
5. Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
San Francisco
The boutique hotel and restaurant company offers compressed work weeks, fully paid sabbaticals, on-site fitness facilities and sick days for part-timers. "Those at every level are encouraged to create magical moments for guests (and are rewarded with Kimpton Moment chips they can trade for prizes like paid days off and Apple Watches)," Fortune said.
4. Workday
Pleasanton, Calif.
The financial and human resources management software company offers unlimited sick days and student loan debt repayment. "A bevy of awards, like 8,485 stock bonuses for meeting goals, helps motivate the troops," Fortune said.
3. Wegmans Food Markets
Rochester, N.Y.
The supermarket chain offers compressed work weeks and on-site fitness facilities. Average base pay is $68,494. "The booming family-owned grocery chain spends more than $50 million a year on training and development for its massive workforce," Fortune said.
2. Salesforce
San Francisco
The customer relationship management software company offers subsidized childcare and on-site fitness facilities. Average base pay is $138,891. "Inclusion pays at Salesforce, which has spent $8.7 million over three years to address differences in pay across gender and race," Fortune said.
1. Hilton
McLean, Va.
"Hilton has launched an expansive program to upgrade 'back-of-house' areas used by staff to make them as spiffy as the areas guests use," Fortune said. "Under [CEO Chris] Nassetta's guidance, the company has also established a free program enabling employees to earn their GEDs and formed Hilton University where they can enroll in workshops and training."
The full list can be viewed here