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OC METRO's Best Companies Hall of Fame
The following companies were nominated this year and have also appeared on an OC METRO Best Companies To Work For list during the past five years.
Earthbound Media Group
Earthbound Media Group is a technology-driven strategic marketing and communications agency. The philosophy here is to work hard and play hard. Sure, there are tight deadlines, but the team always has fun along the way. The company offers 100 percent employer-paid insurance plans, a 401(k) plan, a 9/80 work schedule (which allows three-day weekends every other week), healthy snacks and a game room. From the casual dress code, to the open communication policy, all the way to the fun events, EMG achieves a very difficult balance between focus and motivation, and fun and comfort.
TCA (Thomas P. Cox: Architects Inc.)
TCA is one of Orange County’s top architecture firms, with offices in Irvine and downtown Los Angeles. Why work for TCA? Half-day Fridays every week, all year long. With office hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays, working at TCA means getting your weekend started a little earlier!
Boost Mobile
With the benefits of parent company Sprint – free cell phone service, financial workshops, career development courses, confidential counseling, work/life balance and an onsite gym – but the independent and energetic spirit of a small company, Boost Mobile offers its employees the best of both worlds. The company’s event-planning team keeps the work environment lively. Employees are never at a loss for fun events, whether watching FMX riders perform aerial tricks in the parking lot while chowing down on Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, practicing putting in the break rooms, volunteering in the community with the Boost Brigade or being rewarded with an In-N-Out burger truck for lunch. Awards are given out on a quarterly basis based on employee demonstration of Boost's 10 cultural values that comprise "The Boost Way."
Motorcycle Industry Council
Whether it's the pure joy of riding, taking a cross-country tour, customizing a bike or just hanging out with fellow riders, motorcycling feeds the soul. The Motorcycle Industry Council lives to share this story of motorcycling, invite new riders to get started the right way and preserve and protect motorcycling for future generations. With today's energy and environmental concerns, the company also has a green story to share: cutting back on the use of fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions and saving money at the gas pump. Put all of this together, and motorcycling is serious fun. Those two words sum up the spirit and culture of the MIC.
Paine PR
Paine PR offers many programs and perks to assist with personal balance, including flexible hours; remote/mobile access; reduced work schedules; the option to work from home one day a week; a $100 annual wellness benefit; a robust employee benefit package; generous medical leave; vacation and personal-day benefits; a sabbatical program; and volunteer paid time off. Additionally, the company has a technology allowance to be used for home office upgrades and/or reimbursement for cable modems or DSL connections; a cell phone allowance; in-office snacks and beverages; and planned and impromptu celebrations to encourage team building.
RBF Consulting
RBF Consulting is celebrating its 65th anniversary in Orange County this year. The firm's focus on civil engineering, planning, surveying and construction management for all types of projects makes it a challenging and creative environment. The people all care about making the world a better place, and the company, even in this tough business climate, continues to give the 300-plus employees in the Irvine offices amazing benefits, including monthly lunchtime barbeques, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments and ski trips. And all of the wonderful events and benefits are still held, though done very cost effectively.
McCarthy Building
McCarthy Building Companies is a leading O.C. construction firm. The individuals at McCarthy genuinely care about their communities. McCarthy formed an employee volunteer group called McCarthy Heart Hats and provides paid time off to participate. Not only do McCarthy personnel help the community through construction projects, the team also supports fundraising for important causes. McCarthy is a top contributor and fundraiser for the OC Heart Walk. Additionally, McCarthy holds an annual golf tournament, and the winner chooses the charity that receives all proceeds. Employees also make donations to schools, the OC Rescue Mission and other causes. Whether giving back to the community through volunteer work or monetary contributions, McCarthy employees participate eagerly.
DGWB
O.C.’s largest privately owned, full-service ad agency is also one of the county’s best places to work. Start with offices in the 1935 Santa Ana City Hall building, which DGWB purchased and renovated into a creatively charged workspace in 2000 – simultaneously sparking the creative re-emergence of O.C.’s downtown. In addition to the top three floors for the agency, DGWB leases low-cost ground-floor space to emerging media companies. Creatively, DGWB employees have access to O.C.’s most prestigious accounts, including Dole, Hilton, KFC, Wienerschnitzel, CHOC, Toshiba and California Avocados. They regularly win more industry awards than any other local agency. But the real difference is the agency’s values. DGWB’s values-based approach to advertising spills over into competitive wages and some uniquely attractive benefits for employees: full medical and dental insurance; paid parental leave assistance; paid ongoing training; birthdays (and all holidays) off; half days on the last Friday of every month; lunchtime brown-bag seminars; and an annual inter-office sports day.
SmartReply
SmartReply is North America's leader in voice and mobile marketing solutions for retailers and has always maintained that its people are the foundation of its business – and the foundation of its success. As the recession deepened last year, many companies reduced employee benefits to cut costs – but not at SmartReply. Work-life balance is central to the company philosophy, and SmartReply has refused to abandon flex time, team excursions or leave policies just to cut expenses in the short term. Likewise, the company did not trim its 25 paid days off for all employees, impose billable-hour minimums or reduce insurance coverage. Instead, they kept their foozball and ping-pong tables right where they were, and the One Kick Wonders – the company’s soccer team – even got new jerseys.
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Earthbound Media Group Earthbound Media Group is a technology-driven strategic marketing and communications agency. The philosophy here is to work hard and play hard. Sure, there are tight deadlines, but the team always has fun along the way. The company offers 100 percent employer-paid insurance plans, a 401(k) plan, a 9/80 work schedule (which allows three-day weekends every other week), healthy snacks and a game room. From the casual dress code, to the open communication policy, all the way to the fun events, EMG achieves a very difficult balance between focus and motivation, and fun and comfort. TCA (Thomas P. Cox: Architects Inc.) TCA is one of Orange County’s top architecture firms, with offices in Irvine and downtown Los Angeles. Why work for TCA? Half-day Fridays every week, all year long. With office hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Fridays, working at TCA means getting your weekend started a little earlier! Boost Mobile With the benefits of parent company Sprint – free cell phone service, financial workshops, career development courses, confidential counseling, work/life balance and an onsite gym – but the independent and energetic spirit of a small company, Boost Mobile offers its employees the best of both worlds. The company’s event-planning team keeps the work environment lively. Employees are never at a loss for fun events, whether watching FMX riders perform aerial tricks in the parking lot while chowing down on Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, practicing putting in the break rooms, volunteering in the community with the Boost Brigade or being rewarded with an In-N-Out burger truck for lunch. Awards are given out on a quarterly basis based on employee demonstration of Boost's 10 cultural values that comprise "The Boost Way." Motorcycle Industry Council Whether it's the pure joy of riding, taking a cross-country tour, customizing a bike or just hanging out with fellow riders, motorcycling feeds the soul. The Motorcycle Industry Council lives to share this story of motorcycling, invite new riders to get started the right way and preserve and protect motorcycling for future generations. With today's energy and environmental concerns, the company also has a green story to share: cutting back on the use of fossil fuels, reducing CO2 emissions and saving money at the gas pump. Put all of this together, and motorcycling is serious fun. Those two words sum up the spirit and culture of the MIC. Paine PR Paine PR offers many programs and perks to assist with personal balance, including flexible hours; remote/mobile access; reduced work schedules; the option to work from home one day a week; a $100 annual wellness benefit; a robust employee benefit package; generous medical leave; vacation and personal-day benefits; a sabbatical program; and volunteer paid time off. Additionally, the company has a technology allowance to be used for home office upgrades and/or reimbursement for cable modems or DSL connections; a cell phone allowance; in-office snacks and beverages; and planned and impromptu celebrations to encourage team building. RBF Consulting RBF Consulting is celebrating its 65th anniversary in Orange County this year. The firm's focus on civil engineering, planning, surveying and construction management for all types of projects makes it a challenging and creative environment. The people all care about making the world a better place, and the company, even in this tough business climate, continues to give the 300-plus employees in the Irvine offices amazing benefits, including monthly lunchtime barbeques, golf tournaments, tennis tournaments and ski trips. And all of the wonderful events and benefits are still held, though done very cost effectively. McCarthy Building McCarthy Building Companies is a leading O.C. construction firm. The individuals at McCarthy genuinely care about their communities. McCarthy formed an employee volunteer group called McCarthy Heart Hats and provides paid time off to participate. Not only do McCarthy personnel help the community through construction projects, the team also supports fundraising for important causes. McCarthy is a top contributor and fundraiser for the OC Heart Walk. Additionally, McCarthy holds an annual golf tournament, and the winner chooses the charity that receives all proceeds. Employees also make donations to schools, the OC Rescue Mission and other causes. Whether giving back to the community through volunteer work or monetary contributions, McCarthy employees participate eagerly. DGWB O.C.’s largest privately owned, full-service ad agency is also one of the county’s best places to work. Start with offices in the 1935 Santa Ana City Hall building, which DGWB purchased and renovated into a creatively charged workspace in 2000 – simultaneously sparking the creative re-emergence of O.C.’s downtown. In addition to the top three floors for the agency, DGWB leases low-cost ground-floor space to emerging media companies. Creatively, DGWB employees have access to O.C.’s most prestigious accounts, including Dole, Hilton, KFC, Wienerschnitzel, CHOC, Toshiba and California Avocados. They regularly win more industry awards than any other local agency. But the real difference is the agency’s values. DGWB’s values-based approach to advertising spills over into competitive wages and some uniquely attractive benefits for employees: full medical and dental insurance; paid parental leave assistance; paid ongoing training; birthdays (and all holidays) off; half days on the last Friday of every month; lunchtime brown-bag seminars; and an annual inter-office sports day. SmartReply SmartReply is North America's leader in voice and mobile marketing solutions for retailers and has always maintained that its people are the foundation of its business – and the foundation of its success. As the recession deepened last year, many companies reduced employee benefits to cut costs – but not at SmartReply. Work-life balance is central to the company philosophy, and SmartReply has refused to abandon flex time, team excursions or leave policies just to cut expenses in the short term. Likewise, the company did not trim its 25 paid days off for all employees, impose billable-hour minimums or reduce insurance coverage. Instead, they kept their foozball and ping-pong tables right where they were, and the One Kick Wonders – the company’s soccer team – even got new jerseys. |
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