Nos. 6–10 & Honorable Mentions, 301+ employees

Professional development and promoting from within is key at American National Property and Casualty Co., 1949 E. Sunshine. The company scored high marks for its people development, which is apparent in the hours and money it invests in training its employees. Additionally, more than half of its employees take advantage of its tuition reimbursement program, available for work-related continuing education. “ANPAC provides a caring environment that promotes professional development and allows each ANPAC team member to be his or her best,” said Kristee Buff, director of human resources. ANPAC also gives employees formal feedback as often as every six months.

Tie for No. 6: CoxHealth

CoxHealth couldn’t become one of the city’s largest employers without taking care of its staff. While the hospital at 3801 S. National Ave. is partly responsible for the health of the community, it also maintains the financial livelihood of 9,500 area residents. And those employees have options. There’s flex time, telecommuting, job sharing, pensions, on-site child care, free or subsidized child care and adoption assistance.

Also, promotion from within is high; approximately 70 percent to 80 percent of managers moved up through the hospital’s ranks.

“CoxHealth is the best place to work in southwest Missouri because we take care of our community and one another,” said Laurie Cunningham, vice president of corporate communications.

No. 8: Labor Ready Inc.

Labor Ready Inc. stands out for a good combination of corporate culture and incentives.

That’s what it takes to attract good people to locate good jobs for those seeking employment.

“We put people to work,” said David Phillips of Labor Ready. “Our company works very hard on a daily basis to find, on average, over 300 hundred jobs per week for our employees.”

The Tacoma, Wash.-based job-placement company offers a 401(k) to full-time employees after six months, at which time they are fully vested. Profit sharing and stock options also are available after six months. Full-time employees pay less than 10 percent of health insurance premiums, and they’re also offered life insurance. More than 20 percent of employees use flex time.

No. 9: O'Reilly Auto Parts Inc.

Despite having more than 1,000 employees, O’Reilly Auto Parts Inc., 233 S. Patterson, had less than 20 percent turnover in 2005. That employee retention comes mostly from the company’s commitment to helping its workers improve themselves and move ahead in their careers. O’Reilly offers tuition reimbursement for any continuing education. As a result, the company’s employees are prepared when the opportunity for a promotion arises – more than 90 percent of the company’s managers were promoted from within the company.

“The company seeks out and encourages team members who embrace the culture that emphasizes teamwork, respect, honesty, excellent customer service and hard work, to grow with O’Reilly to any level that, with the company's help, they can achieve,” said Julie Gray, assistant corporate secretary.

No. 10: Ozarks Technical Community College

Ozarks Technical Community College, 1001 E. Chestnut Expressway, strives to create a family-like environment for its workers, despite their numbering more than 1,000.

“I believe (OTC) is a great place to work because of the culture that exists here that is welcoming and seeks to include all in the OTC family,” said President Hal Higdon.

The company came in second in its category for its corporate culture, which is exemplified in OTC’s turnover rate of less than 5 percent. OTC offers flex time, job sharing and telecommuting to its employees, and it conducts regular employee satisfaction surveys. Communication is key, too, as management meets with employees on a regular basis, and financial details and strategic plans are shared with employees more often than monthly.

Honorable Mentions

Missouri State University

MoArk

Ozarks Regional YMCA

City Utilities