Frank’s list is practical, comprehensive and representative of the inconsistencies inherent when describing and defining ‘top.’

My experience when working within the ‘top places’ is that the external perception is consistently different than the internal experience.

Perhaps the expectation, as Frank notes, is elevated resulting in an unrealistic perception of the internal workings of the culture of the workplace.

I agree with Frank’s list and it is difficult to conceive that in the face of ethical and moral lapses, corporations can maintain their ‘place’ on the list!

In the final analysis, such lists must be taken with ‘buyer beware’ caution.

My reasons for caring less are numerous:

1. I don’t work for these companies.

2. I’m 100% satisified working for my own company

3. While these lists get companies ‘noticed’ and generate valuable P.R. – Our search firm has had tremendous recruiting success yanking individuals out of the very companies striving to get placed on those lists. This leads to the following:

4. Many employees are left out of the party even within
‘Top Ranked’ companies. Not all enjoy ‘THE TOP RANKED PERKS’

5. It creates a higher standard/perception difficult to live up to in real life (employees find it not so after a short time!)

6. One company on that list was investigated by the SEC, privately paid many millions in fines, exploiting investors, while employees were leaving … even while their ‘ranking’ was ratcheted up!! (I will omit name as I have inside information others would not have).

7. Just like J.D Powers and other ‘awards’ — I’ve seen cases where all was but ignored immediately after the award or ranking was achieved.

Yes you derive the benefits your bullets outline – but expectations are now higher from incoming employees.