It takes enlightened leadership, clear communication and employee engagement to make it onto the tally of Utah’s Top Workplaces.
Fifteen companies made the list of special award winners this year, according to Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm, leading the way in categories ranging from values and training to direction and work-life flexibility.
So here are the honorees for this 11th Top Workplaces edition:
Leadership: large company
Scott Beck, CHG Healthcare • The top executive of this Midvale-based medical staffing giant earns high marks from his employees for his openness, caring and “calm nature.”
“He’s just a man of the people,” an employee writes. “Very personable and makes an effort to connect with everyone that he can.”
In an executive role since 1999, Beck has served as CEO for nearly 10 years. While he has stepped back of late, he continues to work as the executive chair of the board.
“Scott has been transparent with us, during good times and bad,” says another worker. “He makes decisions after putting people first.”
Leadership: midsize company
Terrel Bird, TCN • Employees point to the CEO for the growth of this St. George company, which provides software for call centers.
Bird, the company’s CEO for the past 25 years, has put in place leaders who “offer an open door and are available for any type of conversation (whether it be issues at home or work),” an employee writes, “and provide great feedback.”
Another staffer says the boss shows a “strong understanding of both the business and employee needs, while giving “clear communication with actual actionable values instead of buzzwords. Focused on sustainable growth. Not complacent but also not squeezing the lemon dry.”
Leadership: small company
Nikki MacKay, Utah Foster Care • Employees at Salt Lake City-based Utah Foster Care say the CEO’s kindness and support stand out.
Utah Business magazine named MacKay 2024’s CEO of the Year.
“Nikki is thoughtful and visionary,” an employee states. “She demonstrates the power of saying ‘yes’ as often as possible. She works as hard, if not harder, than any of the employees at Utah Foster Care. She knows each employee and cares about their well-being.
Writes another: “She is always kind, but also working to hold people accountable to promote the work we do.”
Direction
Giv.care • This Midway caregiving agency has shown its employees their dedication to “improving the lives” of people with disabilities by using a mobile app to connect legal guardians, caregivers and administrators.
Founded in 2021, the company’s mission is to make “caregiving better and easier for everyone.”
“Care for those with disabilities is a passion of mine,” an employee writes, “and I love everything involved with the process.”
Another worker says the company “seem[s] to really care about people with special needs … making it easy to attract good caregivers.”
Managers
Pompa Program • This Draper family-run company, headed by Dr. Daniel Pompa, has been providing health and well-being services since its birth in 2020.
Workers tout their managers as supportive, attentive, edifying and encouraging.
“My manager helps me set goals and then holds me accountable to hitting them,” writes an employee. “They do not micromanage. However, they motivate me in the right way to attain things I have never done before.”
New ideas
Building Zone Industries • Established in 2006, this Kanarraville-based company aims to “revolutionize” steel construction through innovation, team performance and accelerated project delivery.
Thus, fresh ideas are welcomed and encouraged. This company,” writes a worker, “is all about finding a better way to do things.”
“If you have an idea and bring it up,” says another employee, “you will almost certainly get listened to and very likely get your idea implemented.”
Doers
Twistlab Marketing • Operating for more than a quarter century, Salt Lake City’s Twistlab Marketing provides tailored marketing strategies, brand management and web design intended to help businesses achieve their “full potential.”
The agency’s commitment to research and campaigns, an employee notes, leaves customers “very satisfied with these services.”
Meaningfulness
Utah Support Advocates for Recovery Awareness • As its name flat-out states, this South Salt Lake social services nonprofit helps with addiction recovery by providing peer coaching and family support services.
This meaningful work can be personal for the personnel.
One employee takes satisfaction in helping others “through similar situations as my own. I didn’t have support when I did it, so it’s meaningful for me to have learned the support and resources available and walk alongside my peers.”
Values
Mountain America Credit Union • Although this 88-year-old Sandy-based financial institution has mushroomed to more than a million members, employees proclaim that the clients still come first.
“It is always a focal point to remember the members and how they will be impacted,” an employee writes. “I love how [Mountain America] cares about the members, which I happen to be one.”
Says another: “I have seen Mountain America help those who can’t afford payments complete a modification to help the member keep satisfactory credit until they are able to sell their home.”
Clued-in senior management
Bamboo Insurance • Employees praise the senior leadership at Bamboo Insurance for taking the time to be present and bring entry-level staff up to speed about the Midvale company’s moving parts.
“Our senior management has their finger on the pulse in our industry,” a worker writes, “and knows exactly what’s going on.”
Communication
KT Tape • This American Fork sporting goods and hobby business, founded 16 years ago, aims to empower athletes, primarily through its kinesiology tape.
It also seeks to empower employees by arming them with information.
“Knowing that what I do,” a worker writes, “does make a difference in the company.”
The company also makes time for team activities, including a 5K run, a waterfall hike and a field day.
Appreciation
UFirst Credit Union • Workplace surveys verify the value of companies showing appreciation — in a range of ways — for their employees.
And UFirst Credit Union finished, well, first this year on that score.
One employee points to the “recognition of work/life balance and time off [and] occasional work lunches.”
Another likes the “my manager listens to my ideas and feedback.”
Yet another feels “free to speak my mind and share my opinions without fear of negative consequences.”
Work/life flexibility
BAE Systems Intelligence and Security • Employees at this large military contractor enjoy the flexible work hours that accommodate child care, home obligations and other outside activities.
“They ensure I can take the time off I need,” says an employee, “and help me with those needs and talk about how important that work/life balance is.”
Training
Ensign Engineering & Land Surveying Inc. • This 37-year-old Sandy-based firm provides specialized services in civil engineering, structural engineering and land surveying.
Such specialties require training, and employees say their firm delivers.
They point to “in-house lunch and learns,” “targeted continuing education,” “modeling programs and A.I.”
Benefits
Smarty • Employees give the workplace B word (benefits) an A at Smarty, a Provo software firm.
They laud the health benefits, bonuses, the 401(k), in-office chiropractic care and off-site company activities.
“I like that as a part-time employee,” writes a worker, “I get similar benefits to full-time workers with trips, lunches and bonuses.”
Another ranks “the food in the kitchen” as “beyond all other benefits.”
