How did the AJC select its list of top workplaces? And how can a company be nominated?
Those were the big questions last April after The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published the 2011 debut edition of Metro Atlanta’s Top 100 Workplaces. Apparently you liked our answers.
More than 1,000 companies were nominated or asked to participate in the 2012 contest by the Journal-Constitution and its partner, Workplace Dynamics, after employees across the metro area responded to print and online solicitations that began appearing in October.
Workplace Dynamics then surveyed 188 metro companies that agreed to participate— 20 more than last year. Each company required a survey response rate of at least 35 percent for employees based in metro Atlanta. In addition, employers with 85 or fewer metro Atlanta employees had to have at least 30 responders.
More than 43,500 metro workers participated in the survey. They were asked to respond to a set of statements using a seven-point Likert scale. Each statement was tested to ensure a high correlation with how metro employees rate their workplaces. This was calculated by correlating the statement responses to a control question that asked each employee to rate his or her workplace on a scale of zero to 99.
The resulting top 100 list consists of 20 large companies (500 or more employees), 30 midsize companies (150-499 employees) and 50 small companies (149 or fewer employees).
In addition, because there were so many strong metro Atlanta companies this year, Workplace listed 23 “honorable mentions” that just missed the top 100. Those 23 meet the national standards set by Workplace Dynamics for stellar employers.
Once the survey was completed, Workplace Dynamics ran a series of statistical tests to look for questionable results and determine whether disqualifications were needed. Workplace Dynamics also drew up a list of special awards based on standout scores on specific survey statements.
So there you have it. If you are listed on these pages, it’s a pretty big deal. And this publication has one purpose: To recognize and celebrate with the companies that should be considered the best metro Atlanta has to offer. Enjoy.
