Working for a company that values your happiness not only makes you happier, but more productive. IMG: via Shutterstock.
The San Francisco Business Times recently listed their Best Places to Work in 2014 in the Bay Area. They asked the top executives from each company what makes their business an inspirational place to work, and what keeps their workers happy.
So what does make a great, motivating workplace? Check out some of the offerings from the top places to work in San Francisco:
Ancestry.com, number 36 on the list, is a growing business with over 2 million subscribers across all its family history websites. The company provides free meditation and yoga session as well as massages on site. Cross training between departments is key, along with celebrating milestones of individual employees, such as anniversaries and birthdays.
Says Eric Shoup, their EVP of Product, “To keep employees (and their families) happy and turnover low, Ancestry.com provides a diverse work environment, great benefits, true work-life balance, growth opportunities, and meaningful and technically challenging work.
Docusign’s Chairman and CEO Keith Krach, whose company was listed as number 74, stated that having a high performance culture and a team who have ownership over their work results in freedom and flexibility that makes for happier employees. With a team of 210, Docusign is considered medium sized, so having the right people are key, and supporting them is paramount.
“Allow people to take risks and learn from mistakes. Provide feedback and coaching along the way to guide the team to great performance. Celebrate those achievements individually and across the company. And always be true to your core values.”
Genentech, listed as number 1 on the list, has 9,500 employees and is based in South San Francisco. Ian Clark, its CEO and member of the Board of Directors, says the company strives to listen and act quickly when given feedback from its employees. They hold bi-monthly company-wide gatherings, where milestones are celebrated and workers can relax and connect, sometimes even with a beer.
The company believes that “hiring the best people, with a breadth of experiences, work styles and opinions, results in more robust decision-making and stronger, more creative collaboration.”
