Glassdoor, the worldwide leader on insights about jobs and companies, just published its Best Places to Work in 2022 list and retailers should be excited. Of the 100 companies recognized, lululemon, Trader Joe’s, H E B, Wegmans Food Markets and numerous others competed for the top ranks.
To date, Glassdoor has more than 100 million reviews and insights for nearly 2 million companies. Competing for the top spots wasn’t easy, but employees from each company voluntarily provide anonymous feedback about their job, work environment, and employer to create the 14th annual Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Awards.
Glassdoor Career Trends Expert Alison Sullivan told RETHINK Retail that the retailers recognized as ‘Best Places to Work in 2022’ demonstrated the importance of putting employees first in challenging times.
“Retailers faced multiple challenges during the pandemic ranging from ongoing health and safety concerns to supply and labor shortages,” said Sullivan. “What stood out for employees this year is how companies responded to these challenges by keeping employees top of mind while leadership remained transparent.”
The following retailers have not only overcome challenges brought on by the pandemic but continue to work towards building brighter futures for their employees, management, and customers.
Lululemon
Lululemon is the highest ranked retail on this list, and for good reason. The company has proven time and again that they’re dedicated to their employees and committed to a collaborative and fun work environment.
As stated by an anonymous Key Leader in Denver, CO: “lululemon is a cut above the rest when it comes to retail. I joined lululemon while I was in-between jobs and was told by friends to avoid retail. However, lululemon is one of the BEST retail stores to work in by far. Positive environment, great benefits and perks to working here.”
Furthermore, the retailer makes an effort to boost its community and workplace culture with commitments to both diversity and inclusion. Its workforce is comprised of varying genders, ethnicities, sexual orientations, religions, and other attributes—all of which contribute to an extraordinary work environment.
Trader Joe’s
Dubbed as “Crew Members,” Trader Joe’s over 40,000 Employees are defined by the company as “people with a passion for food, learning, and creating an outstanding experience for their customers.”
And this isn’t the first time Trader Joe’s is included in Glassdoor’s Employees Choice Awards, as the grocer makes the cut for the eighth time since 2011. Employees have long recognized the retailer for its healthy work environment and Glassdoor has provided them a platform to share what they love most.
“Great team atmosphere. Healthy working environment. Excellent benefits. Lovely people to work with and Trader Joe’s in general is an awesome place!” said a Crew Member in New York, NY.
H E B
Unknown to some is H E B, a regional supermarket chain based in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 340 stores throughout the state. Alike Trader Joe’s, H E B has made Glassdoor’s Employees Choice Awards for an eighth time as they attempt to expand their already growing workforce of more than 10,000.
Alongside a “wealth of career opportunities,” the grocer looks to pave its way forward using new and creative ideas, outstanding service, and a commitment to diversity in our workforce, workplace and marketplace.
Described by its employees as a place that cares for its staff, sentiments from anonymous team members like this are exceedingly common: “Working for H-E-B has been amazing! I feel so much pride to work for this company. They take such great care of their communities and Partners. The organization is filled with great leaders, mentors, and peers. Highly recommend working for H-E-B.”
Wegmans Food Markets
Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Wegmans Food Markets is a regional, family-owned supermarket chain that employs more than 50,000 people. Aside from making Glassdoor’s Employees Choice Awards numerous times over, the grocer is 1 of only 12 companies that has made it on FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” for the last 24 consecutive years.
In the face of the pandemic, Wegmans continued to hire employees in an attempt to support its community and provide jobs for dynamic, energetic, and happy people. Further, the retailer promised to create an environment that’s diverse, inclusive and grounded by values.
“The team is very cooperative and understanding. The company values its employees, which is reflected in the events they hold for holidays and store-specific celebrations and occasions,” said a Grocery Customer Service worker in Woodmore, MD.
Vans
For the second year in a row, Vans made the cut for Glassdoor’s Employees Choice Awards. The retailer was founded back in 1966 as a community-driven footwear company rooted in authenticity and creativity, but its societal impact has gone even further—influencing action sports, music, art, and street culture.
Vans also target inclusivity, pointing to their community as a catalyst for future innovations, transformations, and perspectives. As stated by an anonymous sales associate: “The environment, the people, the products, the love for Vans and skate/street culture! Flexibility with scheduling…a true team environment at every store I’ve worked at.”
Reimagining the employee experience doesn’t stop here
The above retailers weren’t the only brands that made the cut—Madewell, Scheels, Costco Wholesale, and REI were all featured within Glassdoor’s best 100 places to work by responding to employee feedback, reimagining the employee experience, and making commitments towards their respective communities.
Alongside technology, finance, biotech, pharmaceuticals, health care, consulting, travel, tourism, and others, the retail industry should be recognized for its commitments towards employee compensation and benefits, culture and values, diversity and inclusion, and work-life balance.
In 2022, retailers must not only follow in the footsteps of the above brands but commit to making meaningful connections with employees that address workplace needs and the health of the workplace.
