This is the 14th year employee survey company Energage has partnered with These photos are from the celebratory event held to honor winners at the Downtown Hartford Marriott.

Top Workplaces 2024: Special Awards to CT businesses

“We’ve spent a lot of organizational time and effort trying to create a culture that attracts good people,” said CEO Vincent Capece. 

“Our goal is to attract the brightest and the best — not only attract, but retain the brightest and the best people, and whether that is physicians, nurses or even non-clinical people at all levels, in all departments, every job is important,” he said.

Middlesex Health is composed of almost 2,900 of those people, working in its flagship 275-bed Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, two satellite medical centers, each with emergency departments, in Westbrook and Marlborough, and a network of primary care and specialist physicians.

And this year, for the eighth year in a row, Middlesex Health has been named a Hartford Courant Top Workplace, in the large category. It’s also ranked nationally in the category of 2,500 employees and above. 

Top Workplaces are ranked based on surveys of employees at participating organizations with at least 50 employees in Hartford, Middlesex, New London, Tolland and Windham counties.

Capece, CEO for 14 years, said Middlesex’s employees are “very much a family here, and I think that that is something that appeals to a lot of people. And I think that not only is it family, we also I think have a culture that is always looking to excel. 

“And I think people who like to do good things, like to advance their careers and advance their professionalism, are attracted to a culture where the organization is recognized for doing good things,” he said.

One of the recognitions Capece and others are most proud of is Middlesex Hospital’s sixth designation as a Magnet Recognition hospital from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“A very small percentage of the hospitals have that designation,” he said. “We were the first in Connecticut, and we’re the first hospital in Connecticut to achieve that, and we were the first community hospital in the entire country to achieve that.”

Credentialing, which involves “a whole rigorous process,” must be repeated every four years, Capece said. 

“We just went through last November our sixth credentialing process and were successful, and there are only a handful of hospitals in the entire world that have gone through that process that many times and been successful,” he said. 

“I think that, in general, we have a reputation for safety, quality. We provide a wide range of services, medical services, surgical services,” he said. “Our cancer program is, from a quality perspective, one of the best cancer centers in the country.”

Middlesex also is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, the only affiliate in the Northeast with the world-renowned health care system based in Rochester, Minn.

“They’ve created this care network of high-performing health systems that they’ve hand picked to work with to advance health care throughout the world,” Capece said. “And we’ve been working with them on a variety of issues to advance health care, and they have lots of knowledge to share, but they’re also looking to learn from their affiliates too.” 

Besides adding “some luster to our brand,” and encouraging consultations between doctors, the network has “allowed our patients to have access to Mayo doctors through what we call e-consults,” Capece said. “That’s something that’s very unique and I think a reflection of the quality of care that we provide, that the Mayo Clinic would want to partner with us.”

Mayo doctors often offer second opinions, especially when it comes to cancer care, he said.

“It’s kind of standard that if you’re diagnosed with cancer, you want to get a second opinion,” he said. “And in the past, people would have to travel to Boston, New York, and it would cost them money to do that.”

Beyond the high-profile recognitions and affiliations, however, Capece said what’s important at Middlesex is basic.

“Our mission is all about safety, quality and the patient experience,” he said. “Those are the three things that we focus on, and the DNA of this organization, long before I got here, was really focused on striving for excellence. It’s something that is ingrained in the culture here, and has been for a long time.”

Capece also talked about the “three legs of the stool” that are critical to an organization’s success.

“The board, the medical staff and the management team working together is critical with a hospital,” he said. “It’s critical to the success of the organization, and I think that’s worked well for us for a long time, and I can’t personally take credit for that. It’s really the result of the hard work of a lot of people.”

He said he’s not surprised, then, that Middlesex has again been recognized as a Top Workplace.

“I think it’s well deserved, and it’s really a reflection of what our employees are saying about the organization, and it is encouraging to know that the work that we’re putting into creating a culture that attracts and retains good people, great people, is being recognized by our employees,” he said.

Among the things he’s seen changed over his 26 years with the organization has been how different generations view their jobs.

“We’ve tried to appeal to all of the different generations that are out there that all have a different way of thinking about how they balance their life: their work life and their family life, their personal life,” he said. “And we’ve tried to find a way to be flexible, to appeal to the needs of our employees, recognizing that there are some things that we can do. There’s some things that we can’t do, but we’re trying to be open to different ideas.”

Among those ideas have been different schedules, especially for those in clinical departments, and, since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing people to work from home more often.

“I guess that the bottom line is, we’re a very flexible organization in an effort to be employee-centric and to be focused on what our employees need and want,” he said.

Capece said Middlesex has a good reputation in central Connecticut as well.

“When we’ve done focus studies to try to get a sense as to how the community perceives us, our community really recognizes the organization being very warm and caring and having high-quality care,” he said. “So I believe we’re hitting the marks. And we spent a lot of time trying to communicate that to our community, and I think it has resonated over time.”

Capece said Middlesex Health also has been recognized as LBGTQ-friendly, both for employees and patients, by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.

“I think one of the things that we’re very focused on is being inclusive of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation, regardless of their race, regardless of their religion, and that’s something that has been part of this organization for a long time,” he said.

Another initiative is Project SEARCH, partnering with Marc Community Resources, in which adults with disabilities volunteer at the hospital.

“It’s a program that provides them work experience that allows them to learn a job skill that’s transferable, and many of these students we end up hiring,” Capece said. “And it’s really been great to see them excel and kind of blossom while they’re here, and it’s touched the organization in a special way.”

Darrell Pataska, chairman of Middlesex’s board, also mentioned the culture of the organization “from the top on down. Everybody works together. People enjoy what they’re doing. There’s rewards that come with that. They’re proud of the organization.”

Pataska said he talks to volunteers, known as patient advocates, one of whom is his wife, who visit patients and ask how they are and whether there’s anything they can help with. 

“They continually say they’re just impressed with how well the employees at all levels work together, whether it’s the environmental people, the person cleaning the floor, or the doctor that’s seeing the patient, and the nurses and everybody in between are all working as a team,” he said.

Pataska said Middlesex enjoys its position of being a standalone hospital and is in a good financial position as well.

“Middlesex is well financed. It’s got a strong balance sheet,” he said. “It’s got great focus on customer service, which keeps everything going. … I think, as a community hospital … it can provide the hands-on service of a small organization, yet all of the skills of a large organization,” partly because of its Mayo Clinic affiliation.

Pataska said being independent has advantages over large health care systems with multiple hospitals.

“We call our own shots, we put together our own playbook,” he said. “We’re not listening to somebody else saying, Oh no, we don’t want to do that in Middletown. We want to do that in Stamford, or we want to do that in Norwich. … We can make our own decisions and do our own things.”

Pataska called Capece “the essential piece of the organization. The culture comes from the top. He is a hands-on person.”

Pataska said when he’s done rounds at the hospital and talked to patients, “the thing that sticks out is where people are so happy with everything. I mean, here’s people that are in the hospital. That’s not like you’re on vacation, yet they will say that they’re having a great experience, from the standpoint of being impressed by the people that are waiting on them. And they use that term, ‘waiting on them.’”

Another board member, Jean D’Aquila, has served more than a decade.

“From my perspective, this is a place of respect and joy,” she said. “It’s palpable. … I feel it when I attend board meetings. I feel it when I attend employee events. I feel it when my family has been in Middlesex Health for health care.

“The staff are concerned,” she said. “They work together. They check their egos at the door, if you will, and they work as a team. And I can’t be more proud of this organization. It’s led by a wonderful CEO and a wonderful executive leadership team. They care, and that trickles down.”

D’Aquila said she went to a celebration of the hospital’s Magnet designation and talked to several nurses.

“They were so thrilled and happy and talkative and generous with their time, and there was a spirit of cooperation there,” she said. “It’s an incredible group, and it’s led by a wonderful chief nursing officer … and they’re very conscious about the morale and the collegiality and the work with the physicians, so that you don’t have the feeling that they’re competing with each other. …  It’s kind of amazing.”

D’Aquila called Capece “one of the most capable, humble guys that I’ve ever met, and those two things don’t often go together. He supports his executive leadership team, he supports the board. He supports initiatives that are proposed within the health care system, if they’re good plans. He’s pretty committed. I’m very proud to serve with him.” 

Ed Stannard can be reached at estannard@courant.com.

Master’s in Home Care, which has 83 staffers, won a Hartford Courant 2024 Top Workplaces award in the small business category. This year is the third time the company has won a Top Workplaces award. It has offices in Rocky Hill and North Haven.

One of the goals of the business is to “treat your family like our family. We’re a family-run business with over five decades of experience in the healthcare industry.”

“We embody and try to live up to our mission statement every day,” Pankratz said.

This means, he said, “promoting independence, healing, and comfort through quality and compassion to exceed our patients’ ever-changing home care needs and expectations.

“This provides a positive framework and direction for the entire organization,” Pankratz said.  “Our dedication to work-life balance for our team members helps us retain a dedicated and professional team of employees that are engaged with their patients and family members and embrace the company values and make that a priority in their day to day practice.”

About being in the skilled home health care business for five decades, Pankratz said, “the senior leadership at Master’s in Home Care have worked in many different roles and for other home health care companies in our previous work lives.”

“We all have learned from our personal experience and mentors as to what qualities in a workplace we value and what makes an employee feel heard and valued in their job,” he said.  “We have taken our combined experiences and implemented the most positive aspects into our current work environment at Masters.”

Pankratz said Masters In Home Care provides a “range of skilled medical services including both skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies to our patients in the home.”

“Every patient has unique medical needs and requirements, so a customized plan of care is developed in coordination with the patient’s physician and the patient for all services we provide,” he said.

This includes, services provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech language pathologists, medical social workers, and certified nursing assistants/home health aides, Pankratz said.

“We emphasize cultivating a team of professionals who share the Masters values,  dedication to their patients, and maintaining a high quality of professional medical services in the home,” he said. “As such, we provide our employees outstanding benefits along with highly competitive compensation, education assistance programs, retirement planning, and a wonderful work environment.

“Masters treats everyone like equals and emphasizes team collaboration. It is the environment we create and the treatment of our employees that sets us apart as an employer in home health care.”

One staffer who added comments to the Top Workplaces survey noted “MIHC encourages growth as an employee, supports you and encourages you to grow and promotes from within.”

Pankratz said the agency supports “growth through a robust training program including monthly department meetings and frequent training sessions.

“It is standard practice for us to seek to promote from within, and many of our senior leadership and supervisors have been promoted during their tenure with Masters,” he said. “We also take the safety of our workforce seriously, and are constantly looking at new ways of investing in additional safety based initiatives to keep our employees safe in the field. Some of the items we’ve accomplished are instituting a pre-visit safety screen questionnaire, holding mandatory in-person safety workshops, and purchasing and distributing personal safety alarms.  As our world and environment evolves we evolve with it.”

Pankratz also noted “our employees matter very much to us and we will continue to strive to maintain Masters as an employer of choice for those medical professionals seeking opportunities in the home health care field.”

“We also celebrate both company and employee milestones and successes. Whether it’s holding baby showers in the offices, recognizing the efforts of the team after an audit, or most recently taking our employees to Mohegan Sun for the evening to mark the 10th anniversary of Masters In Home Care, we truly appreciate our team and we take the time to recognize and celebrate them. “

“PT is for life.”

The Connecticut-based health care company, with 32 locations across the state, offers a range of outpatient physical therapy services. Started by President Alan Balavender in 2000 with an original location in Waterbury, it has grown steadily over the past two decades. The company is planning two additional locations in Manchester and Hamden.

“PT for life is the thread of our culture,” said PTSMC President Alan Balavender. “Years ago we started talking about the idea that physical therapy was often a commodity. People would go to one physical therapist for a shoulder injury, then go to another one for a knee injury. There was a real concern that physical therapy was just six visits and a T-shirt for most people.”

“That really isn’t the way physical therapy should be. Instead, we wanted PT for life to mean if you come to us for physical therapy, we want you to feel comfortable and that you can come to us for all your physical therapy needs. You don’t go to your dentist for one tooth and then go see another dentist for another tooth. We take it as a customer centered approach to everything we do. It’s about living your best life.”

The company has been named one of Greater Hartford’s Top Workplaces in the Courant program for the 14th year. The recognition is based on employee surveys conducted by Energage, as well as information about employee programs and benefits.

PTSMC took first place in the midsize category with 443 employees statewide. The company has 19 locations and 231 employees in the Greater Hartford region.

“What we’re trying to communicate to the communities we serve is that we’re here for you,” Balavender said. “Whether it’s back pain, concern about your endurance or you’re just not moving the way you use to a few years ago, we want to be inclusive and let people know that if we can help you, we will do our very best.”

Balavender, a Connecticut native who grew up in New Britain, said he got his entrepreneurial spirit from him parents. His father owned a small auto repair facility on the same corner for 42 years, while his mother owned and operated a small real estate sales business.

“Together they taught me some valuable life and business fundamentals,” Balavender said. “Two of my older brothers are both physical therapists. I had the experience of playing sports as a kid and ending up in my brother’s clinic as an injured athlete on a couple occasions. So I got to see firsthand the benefits of it and I fell in love with physical therapy as a field.”

Balavender has three guiding life and businesses principals that he said make up the foundation of the company’s culture.

They are:

• Go above and beyond for those you serve.
• Surround yourself with the best and brightest you can find.
• Understand the value of relationships

“I began to put these fundamentals into practice in 2000 when I purchased a single practice, and these life lessons are the foundation of every PTSMC facility. Our mission is to improve the quality of people’s lives by providing unmatched experiences, clinical excellence and lifelong relationships,” Balavender said.

The company has a partnership model in an effort to support physical therapy ownership. Balavender said each office is a separate LLC and allows physical therapists and physical therapy assistants to have an equity stake. The model also limits the risk associated with having a business in the extremely competitive health care environment.

“We create the opportunity for a leader in each office to create an equity position if they choose to, so they can have an ownership position,” Balavender said. “I had sketched out the model on some paper back in 1999. The second clinic we had in Guilford was our first partner clinic and the rest has gone from there.”

The company also has a yearlong Leadership and Management Development Program that helps physical therapists develop skills in leadership, practice management and business acumen. The program’s objective is to develop the skills necessary to be a successful practice owner.

“At the end of the day, what this company does really well is invest in its people,” said PTSMC physical therapist Conner Gavin. “This place is like family, if you talk to anyone at this company there’s this kind of this connection. We’re all working on the same team here.”

Gavin said he’s been working at PTSMC for three years after first training at the company during school. He said working for the company was a “no brainer” after seeing the culture up-close during school.

“This job is all about people and our interactions with them,” Gavin said. “We always make sure our patients are heard. It’s not just you’re better and here’s the door. We very much take great pride in helping patients live their best lives.”

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com

“Food on a mission to create opportunity.”

The Hartford-based non-profit, founded in 2007, operates several food-based businesses to provide job training and food access programs to the Hartford community. In addition to operating the popular Fire by Forge restaurant at 539 Broad St., the non-profit operates The Grocery on Broad Street in a joint venture with CT Food Share.

Forge City Works also provides catering and food service at The Lyceum Conference and Event Center in Frog Hollow.

The non-profit has been named one of Greater Hartford’s Top Workplaces in the Courant program for the first time, following the opening of the non-profit’s new grocery store earlier this year. The recognition is based on employee surveys conducted by Energage, as well as information about the non-profit’s employee programs and benefits.

The non-profit placed in the small-size category and has 80 employees.

“First it is the mission, we’re a non-profit whose mission is investing in the community through job training and fighting food insecurity. Our businesses help drive that mission, so I think it gives a sense of purpose to what we do,” said Forge City Works Executive Director Ben Dubow.

“The second piece of that is we take very seriously the culture around here. We talk about VIPs serving VIPs and we want to give VIP customer service. But on the flip side, we also talk about how we are all working with VIPs. This is one of our non-negotiables we added.”

The non-profit has seven workplace culture “non-negotiables” that make it special in the non-profit world. Dubow said these seven principles guide the non-profit’s work day-to-day and are constantly reviewed in team meetings. New hires and trainees must also know them. They include:

1. Acknowledgement & Accountability

2. Clarity is Kind & Kindness Always Wins

3. DEIB is in our DNA: Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging.

4. Life-Work Balance: We are all more than our jobs.

5. Mission-Driven Teamwork: Many hands make for lighter work. By embracing the power of collaborative teamwork, we can accomplish so much more than we’ll ever do individually.

6. We Welcome You: FCW supports each individual and embraces all that makes each person unique.

7. VIPs working with VIPs: We have a “hospitality” culture for our customers and employees alike.

“FCW has a people-centric, people-first culture,” Dubow said. “We really focus on helping develop people as part of the team and we value everyone’s input. I like to talk about the tyranny of the right idea. In other words, if someone has the right idea, it doesn’t matter where on the org chart they are. If the dishwasher has the right idea, the right idea wins. I think people really value that kind of work culture, where everyone has their voice heard and is respected.”

The nonprofit’s job training program also helps employ dozens of Greater Hartford youth between the ages of 18 and 26 each year, leaders said. Participants learn culinary and customer service skills though classroom and in-person learning over a 16-week program culminating in what they said is sustainable employment in the Hartford area.

The total job training lasts 18 months with three different levels including the initial 16-week program focused on core skills and then an internship at either Fire by Forge, The Grocery on Broad or at The Lyceum, Dubow said. After the internship program, participants are encouraged to apply for jobs in the local area while still being able to receive mentoring. Dubow said there are approximately 60 Hartford residents in job training programs this summer.

“I’ve mentored about 60 trainees myself,” said Fire by Forge Executive Chef Miguel Alvarez.

“To this day, I still reach out to some of them and they reach out to me. The mission is what really sets this place apart. I’ve been cooking for over 16 years and this is the first place where I can do my job and give back to the community. I’ve been able to help individuals who have difficulty finding employment and give them the skills they need to succeed in life. As a Hartford resident, it’s good to see them go back into the community and be successful. ”

The restaurant, a Pan-American inspired, chef-driven concept that includes a café, full-service restaurant and bar, charges an 18% service charge on all tabs. Included in that service charge, 5% goes towards a revenue share that directly goes into the pockets of the restaurant’s employees and 1% goes to an emergency fund for all the employees. The remainder of the service charge is used to provide access to benefits and paid time off, leaders said.

“I think the work we’ve done around equity and compensation really makes a big difference on the work culture,” Dubow said. “All of our employees are making more than minimum wage from the dishwasher to our case managers. Our customers also know that their money is directly benefiting our trainees and employees. The feedback we get is overwhelmingly positive from our customers.”

Logan Carruba, a case manager on the job training team, said that the culture is so positive among staff members, that he can’t envision himself working anywhere else. Carruba, who first started at the non-profit in 2017 as a barista, left briefly during the pandemic. But he said he reapplied as a case manager last year because he was drawn again to the “amazing culture.”

“I came on as a barista and worked until the restaurant got shut down during COVID. When I first started, I was there just to make a couple bucks, but the mission and culture quickly grows on you. It’s hard not to be involved with the mission,” Carruba said.

“I want to work here for as long as I possibly can. I’m actually in the last year of my master’s program to become a therapist. But even after I graduate, I want to stay here and see if I can transform my role a little bit. The turnover is very low here and a lot of people who leave end up coming back. You’re hard pressed to find another place like it.”

Stephen Underwood can be reached at sunderwood@courant.com

I love my job because…

Adams & Knight

… Every day, I am able to use my talents and experience to create something that has meaning and will have an impact on so many — clients, companies, consumers and even my co-workers. We do great work and we love doing that.

… I get to work with talented people. I feel heard and acknowledged for my contributions.

… I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do.

Advanced Window Systems, LLC

… Every day we work as a team to make the company better than it was yesterday.

… I get to spend a lot of time at home with my family and I don’t have to work a full 9-5 schedule. I also feel extremely supported and like the team genuinely cares about each of us.

… I have the opportunity to help improve the lives of employees and customers.

American Systems

… Because I feel valued as an employee here and I feel like my opinion matters. I also enjoy the fact I get to work with Vets and the programs that we have to support that as well.

… I have the backing of a great leader who allows me to grow as a PM and help out with corporate influence/aspects of the company.

… “Better together” is more than a slogan

Barnum Financial Group

… I am given an opportunity to help people every day with a team of professionals supporting me. We get the benefit of a huge firm in a family style environment.

… The atmosphere is energetic and engaged.

… I enjoy the outside activities presented by Barnum such as the ski trip and Holiday Party. I also like being able to call leads as opposed to many other organizations in the industry that don’t bring anything to the table and require you to find your own leads and leverage friends and family.

Bouvier Insurance

… I enjoy what I do on a day-to-day basis and they are giving me everything I need to progress my career with licenses, designations, and internal training sessions to keep everyone’s knowledge up to date.

… I have a great team that I work with and for! I am trusted to do my job; I have the support when I am in need of assistance or new thoughts; our schedules allow us to work from home; I have great relationships with my coworkers and my clients!

… Our employers truly care about their employees. We are appreciated.

CareCentrix

… Because i love to help people and I feel I truly make a difference everyday here at ccx.

… Because i work from home and they make it feel like a regular day in the office but with family

… I love being a part of a great team that works toward the same goal.

Bartlett Brainard Eacott (BBE)

… Although I’m retired, I’m still consulted about policy suggestions and evolution.

… Fast pace, diverse clients and projects, the opportunity to grow beyond the normal day-to-day duties.

… I am given the opportunity to work independently , and work in a team environment where everyone works together to achieve the goals of the company.

BVH Integrated Services, Inc.

… I love the clients and team that I work with. Projects are exciting and challenging. It provides a fun work condition that requires collaboration and teamwork.

… I work with great people.

… I’m treated as an integral part of our studio.

Carelon Behavioral Health Connecticut

…Flexibility and support from my Co Workers.

…I am able to use my personal experiences to connect with families that need support.

…I am allowed to make mistakes and be taught from them. It has allowed me work and personal life balance.

CATIC

…CATIC is an amazing group, from the CEO to the paralegals, everyone is focused on teamwork. there are no silos like other companies., everyone works together for the common good of the company, the industry. they are all truly the best of the best. I wish that I had joined them years ago.

… Constantly learning new things & give me opportunity to help others

… I address new issues every day and never feel in a rut. I love the people I work with.

Centreville Bank

… Hours, pay, pto, taken seriously

… I enjoy helping people and feel that I can make a difference in a person’s day. I feel supported and appreciated for my efforts and respected for my unique skills and management style. I love my coworkers , and truly enjoy coming to work every day.

… I feel safe, secure, and empowered with my job. I love working with a sturdy team and that there is always someone with an answer if we have a question.

CGI

… Allow you to grow, innovate and I have working flexibility in terms of remote or in-person.

… Always learning something new that keeps each day interesting and rewarding. Having a leader that is upfront and to the point on every subject, so you know where you stand and have the confidence in what he is going on and being tasked.

… Because I am allowed to explore my potential and have the flexibility to take care of my family when needed.

Chelsea Groton Bank

… I am able to truly focus on what is best for my client rather than a product that fits the bank’s goals. I feel as though my suggestions/feedback are welcomed and encouraged. CGB’s commitment to the community is unmatched.

… I am able to work through solutions that help our team, our customers, and our community. I have access and good relationships with stakeholders and decision makers around the bank to be able to make decisions quickly and adapt when needed.

… I am challenged to learn and grow; I feel very respected by other team members, especially my manager. I feel that senior management is committed to creating an inclusive, collaborative environment, and has concern for the welfare of employees.

CLA

… All levels of management encourage me to succeed in whatever way is best for me.

… All my interactions are positive with clients and family members. I feel we make a positive impact to our clients business. I am encouraged to expand my career and feel well supported in doing so.

… Allows me to use my knowledge to help many clients and share knowledge with others to further their careers

COCC

… I am constantly growing my knowledge and have GREAT support by my manager

… I am exposed to a great deal of challenges and learning opportunities.

… I am passionate about my position at COCC because it lets me plan out and run company projects, but also at the same time resolve everyday issues that aren’t always project related.

Community Health Resources Inc.

…I enjoy working with my team members. Everyone is very supportive and understanding. I enjoy working with the families and in the community and networking with other providers.

… I feel a part of a organization i respect, my coworkers are very friendly, my supervisor is amazing and I love what I do.

… I feel like I am supporting clients to recover and I feel that I can make a difference as I finish my degree.

Connecticut Water

… I am challenged to deliver. I am recognized for my contribution.

… I am part of a great company and a great team replacing old infrastructure in the connecticut system . I feel good knowing the company is making improvements to the system to assure our customers have the highest quality drinking water.

… I appreciate the feedback I get from management, I love the guys I work with every day. Upper management always seems to be willing to help out or listen when needed.

Empower

… Because management is there to support me but allows me to have autonomy. We are a team on mission to be the best we can be to our partners and clients.

… Because of the willingness to teach and help people grow in their jobs.

… Because we make an important difference in the lives of our clients and their employees. I love this industry and there aren’t many top tier players worth working for. Empower is the only place i really want to be! Also, we have a great people/a great culture that motivates me to be the best i can be!

Esler Companies

… 1.My job is exciting, activated & driven. There is never a dull moment in my day! I feel productive,and included as my position here is dynamic. It and allows me a complete understanding of our entire process. When others ask me questions I am confident that I have the answers or can at least point them in the right direction on getting those answers. 2. Working here provides synergy that creates a team effort. We are all determined to work as a unit in producing the best outcome for each other & our customers. 3. My ability to work from homes allows flexibility and saves commute time. This is not only a money savings on gas & vehicle wear/tear, It provides me more time with my family & my husband who is physically challenged. 3. The culture is one of equity, love & respect. Our leaders are great examples of this and encourage all of us to do the same. We recognize that we are not all the same and must acknowledge and make adjustments to imbalances in an effort for everyone to feel valued.

… Allows me to make a good living for my family with a flexible schedule.

… Although I am selling a product, I truly feel it is the best product on the market, and I am helping people improve their homes. I believe wholeheartedly, We are the best company for the job.

First World Mortgage

… It allows me a great work / personal life balance.

… It allows me to do what I love, help people and also have time for my family

… The culture is great and there’s a lot of stability and growth potential.

Forge City Works

… I feel valued and that my skills are being used to really make a difference.

… I love my job because they treat me well, like family, they help me grow up, they help me be confident in myself, they help me to learn to grow up in my professional way. I am in a place that is helping me to get ideas to work with different kind of customers and coworkers. I’m learning to be fast, neat, responsible and to meet the restaurant expectations.

… I’m passionate about learning new things in the industry, and I love how community oriented FCW and FxF are, helping the community grow and improve.

Global Help Desk Services, Inc.

… I’m able to encourage and impact employees in a positive way.

… My team is very supportive and goes out of their way to help each other whenever needed

… They truly care. Global Help Desk Services has a strong family-oriented presence. From Team members, to Managers, and all the way up to Steve, everyone cares. Leadership never forgets any names and treats everyone with respect. This allows me to work harder, and feeds inspiration towards my future IT career goals.

HCC Global Financial Products, LLC

…Healthy work life balance and good people

…I am able to put my education to use while working in a relaxed environment. I feel appreciated by the company and my co-workers. I also have work-life balance, which isn’t usually the case in my field.

…I am able to utilize my skills and learn every day.

Hospital for Special Care

…I enjoy my department group very much, and I feel valued both within my department and by other workplace colleagues.

… I feel appreciated and valued. When I voice my opinions or ideas, people listen.

… I feel comfortable with the people and employees that I work with.

InCord Custom Safety Netting Solutions

…I feel valued and like part of a family, and not just a number. I love that we’re kept informed about the general state of the company. Praise is liberally delivered here, and that’s completely foreign to me. I love the wellness events, and the desire to keep employees healthy both physically and mentally. I love how helpful everyone is, and the sense that we’re all working towards a common goal.

…I love my job because of the people I work with and the type of products we create. It’s truly rewarding to know that my work makes a difference by saving lives.

… I love the people I work with. They are very talented and engaged and great at what they do. Their passion for their work motivates me to do my best for our customers too.

Integrated Rehabilitation Services

… it fosters a shared goal of providing the best care for patients and doing everything we can for the benefit of our patient. Feedback is received well and I feel heard with any concerns.

… It gives me opportunity to learn new things everyday.

… Management is approachable and listens to my comments and concerns, should I have any.

Liberty Bank

… I can help others during times of uncertainty, create a future they can feel comfortable leaving to future generations.

… I can learn and people around me are professional and friendly.

… I can make real difference and help influence the direction of the bank.

Lynn Welding Co. Inc.

… My employer cares about its employees and a good homely atmosphere.

… I am able to continue to work from home and make a difference

… I am treated as a valuable team member.

Masters in Home Care

… I love the flexibility it offers and I feel very much a part of the team

… I work in a supportive environment, and the company provides great benefits

… It is rewarding to help in the community and see progress in our clients healths.

Mental Health Connecticut

… This company is really not only dedicated to the well being of the participants but also the well being of the team member as well. It’s not everyday you get lucky enough to work for a company that cares.

… This is the first organization that I have worked for that stands by and upholds their values and cares about the staff.

… We work as a team to help others help themselves.

Middlesex Health

… My job allows be to be creative, and the ideas and work I bring to the table seem genuinely appreciated. I feel like I have meaningful employment, I love what I do.

… My job opens many opportunities for me and my future endeavors

… My manager is fantastic and I love my team.

Nassau Financial Group

… I feel respected, appreciated and valued

… I feel valued as an employee and feel that my opinions are always heard

…. I have the latitude to make decisions and when needed my manager provides excellent guidance.

New England Asset Management, Inc.

… I look forward to coming into work with a positive outlook and focusing on what needs to be done during the day.

… I love my job because I work with a talented group of honest, hard-working people all focused on the same goals.

… I understand how my contribution contributes to the success of the firm.

Novo Precision

… I am able to work on interesting projects and I am surrounded by great people.

… I get to work with people who have strong work ethic that I share. Everyone makes it fun to come into working knowing we are all dealing with the same hardships at work. It makes more of a family.

… I’m doing what I love to do and I’m improving and growing within the company.

Novo Precision

…I am able to work on interesting projects and I am surrounded by great people.

… I get to work with people who have strong work ethic that I share. Everyone makes it fun to come into working knowing we are all dealing with the same hardships at work. It makes more of a family.

… I’m doing what I love to do and I’m improving and growing within the company.

Prata Organization, Globe Life

… I am provided with everything I need or desire to be and become everything I am supposed to be and become.

… I get to help people on a day0to-day basis and also grow my employees into leaders.

… I get to help people, have a work-life balance, and make a good living all at the same time.

Propark Mobility

… I have my full potential recognized.

… I have never been in a corporate environment where my opinion feels so valued.

… I have the opportunity to touch our entire employee population and assist with solving their growing needs.

Pullman & Comley, LLC

… I feel a sense of purpose in my job and can feel that I have accomplished something at the end of the day.

… I get to come to work and use my experience in this field, I enjoy my job and feel like that is fostered by firm management.

… I get to do a job I love

Reliance Health

… At Reliance Health I don’t feel like I’m just an employee. I feel like I matter, like my opinions and what I do for the company matters from the members I serve all the way up to the CEO.
Reliance Health

… I am able to use my softer strengths. I am encouraged to grow as an employee and a person.

… I am surrounded by incredible people. We all want to see our members and staff and community be happy and healthy. I feel appreciated by the people around me and I genuinely care about them, too. It sounds cliche’, but it really is a family. I also like that there are no two days the same. I have created lifelong connections with both members and staff and hold the memories of those who have passed close in my heart.

SCADD, Inc.

… Motivating atmosphere, ability to explore, build and create workplace enhancements.

… SCADD is the first job to prove to me that I am at the right place, I belong here.

… There is nothing better than working at a non-profit

Senior Living Residences

… I add something to the residents lives I bring a smile to their faces I love each and every one of them

… I always feel valued. It seems like everyone really cares about our residents. It feels like you’re part of huge family that really cares about you. There’s a lot team work between departments.

… I am able to go home at the end of each day knowing I’ve made a positive impact.

Sound Community Services, Inc.

… I have a capable and caring group of co-workers and everyday we get to work to help others improve their lives and their mental health. I enjoy coming to work and look forward to seeing and working with my co-workers and out clients.

… I love helping people

… I love my Job because I get to do what I love the most. Serving others, specially those with mental health issues.

Standard Builders, Inc.

… I get to make clients and stakeholders happy of our end product, great coworkers, and leadership teams.

… I get to make serious decisions and be supported by 100% by upper management

… I have a great opportunity to grow and the leadership team is genuinely concerned with my journey.

Sun Life

… Every day, I feel I make a difference in the lives of our clients we support at their most critical time of need

… Everyone gets along, they help each other and management really lets you know they care.

… Everyone is very kind, helpful, and loves working as a team.

The Flood Law Firm

…I feel fully equipped to tackle any problems that may arise. I credit that to the very thorough training and welcoming environment that encourages new hires to ask questions.

… I feel valued. I also enjoy my workload and what I do. I am allowed to be independent and have control over my day.

… I love my job because, from the start, it challenges me to be a better version of myself. Constantly rewarded for my hard work and acknowledged for my individual contributions, I feel a sense of accomplishment and pride even on the hard days. The work is meaningful, making a real difference in people’s lives, and the team always has each other’s backs – it’s like a big, supportive community where we’re constantly appreciating each other.

The Village

… I am making a difference in the lives of my school families

… I believe my job makes a difference for our families and their children.

… I feel like i make a difference even if it is a small difference.

United Steel, Inc.

… It’s a company i have been wanting to get into for so long and i am happy with what im doing and everyone is so cool and nice.

… The people I work with are great and it’s what I like to do.

… United steel pushes me to be a better fabricator everyday and when I feel overwhelmed and frustrated my co workers and management are always there to support and teach me different ways to look at the same picture.

United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut

… I am appreciated for the work I do, am accepted and listened to, and enjoy working with the staff.

… I am constantly learning and growing. No day is ever the same and I have a great sense of purpose that is tied to the work that I do. Knowing that my daily activities are tied to improving the community is motivating. I respect and appreciate my colleagues and the commitment they have to their work, one another and the people in our region.

… I am doing meaningful work that helps people in need right here in my home and i have the flexibility to still enjoy time with my family.

Wheeler Health

… I feel as though I am providing a need for people facing addiction.

… I feel like I work in a safe and affirming environment where everyone is willing to help and are dedicated to the work they do.

… I feel that i am making a difference.

This is the 14th year employee survey company Energage has partnered with The Courant to identify outstanding workplaces in the Greater Hartford area.

Some employers promote pay transparency to address pay inequality, build trust with employees, and create a more productive dialogue about value.

Pay transparency also can boost recruitment and retention, helping employers attract and retain top employees who know the value of their work — and their neighbors’ contributions. Top talent want to work where there is an open dialogue about equality, benefits, bonuses, and salary ranges because it shows the employer values openness and trust.

Several states have enacted laws mandating employers to disclose wage ranges to their employees. These laws are designed to promote transparency and ensure fair compensation practices. Providing employees with information about the wage ranges for specific positions enables them to understand their earning potential, negotiate salaries more effectively, and help address pay inequality and discrimination. These measures seek to create a more equitable and informed labor environment.

When it comes to pay, there are three levels of transparency:

Full transparency: Employees have access to all salary information. Fully transparent employers make this information widely accessible to avoid pay gaps, motivate employees, avoid salary negotiations, and improve employee morale.
Partial transparency: Companies practice varying levels of transparency. Although this model can allow for inequities, it does help employers motivate employees with basic salary information.
No transparency: Employers do not disclose salary ranges or compensation practices, which can lead to potential inequities and wage gaps.

Pay transparency shines a light on compensation practices. It levels the playing field and encourages fairness in how employees are compensated. Further, it addresses the long-standing issue of wage gaps and helps combat discrimination based on gender, race, or other factors.

There’s no doubt pay transparency can come with challenges. Openness often reveals new issues. Employees might feel confused or frustrated by the information. If so, it’s the employer’s responsibility to promote trust and feedback instead of conflict. After all, poor communication is one of the main reasons why employees leave to find another job.

Strategies to overcome the challenges of pay transparency include:

• Ensuring local and national legal compliance
• Spending time creating clear expectations for each pay bracket
• Holding regular compensation reviews for all employees
• Focusing on employee performance and experience
• Setting clear expectations during hiring and onboarding processes
• Addressing problems and offer meaningful solutions
• Collecting and monitoring confidential employee feedback

One of the main issues pay transparency addresses is the gender wage gap. That gap arises from various factors, such as occupational segregation, unconscious bias, and discrimination. Women often earn less than their male counterparts for the same job. This can lead to reduced financial security, hindered career advancement, and a diminished overall lifetime income.

The initial step in implementing pay transparency is determining the company’s goals for greater transparency in compensation practices. This involves identifying objectives such as reducing pay disparities, enhancing employee satisfaction, and fostering a more inclusive work environment.

Once the goals are established, the rollout of pay transparency should occur incrementally, starting with internal pay transparency, which involves making compensation information accessible to employees within the organization. This can be followed by external pay transparency, where companies disclose salary ranges and compensation structures to potential candidates during the hiring process.

By adopting a step-by-step approach, organizations can build trust and adapt to the changes by pay transparency, ultimately fostering a more equitable and transparent workplace.

Bob Helbig is media partnerships director at Energage, a Philadelphia-based employee survey firm. Energage is the survey partner for Top Workplaces.

But right from his job interview at Advanced Window Systems LLC, Hunt formed a different impression. That first impression has proven true in his nearly two years as lead warehouse coordinator for the family-owned business based in Cromwell.

“You matter, and what you have to say matters,” Hunt said. “And working together with everybody, you see everyone’s importance. We all need each other for the company to grow.”

The employee-focused culture of AWS helped propel the seller and installer of home replacement windows, doors and siding to the number one ranking in The Courant’s Top Workplaces small-employer category. AWS has topped the category for two consecutive years and has been listed for three.

“When you have a culture that you’re doing the right things, then everyone feels good about it,” Mark LaVoie, AWS president and the second generation of his family to lead the company, said. “I believe that creates the start of a great culture.”

The company’s guideposts for knowing whether it is meeting its goal of doing the right things is embodied in its seven core values. They can’t that can’t be missed walking into the AWS office and warehouse on Alcap Ridge. They values are arranged to look like a house and stamped on the wall.

The core values are leadership, accountability, positive attitude, teamwork, growth, integrity and innovation.

“If we are going to do something, we always look at it, like ‘Ok, one of our number one values is integrity,’ ” LaVoie said. ” ‘Are we doing the right thing for the employee? Are we doing the right thing for the homeowners and the community? So, these are the questions we ask ourselves. Having great values and you’re doing the right things, the right things come back to you.”

LaVoie said he believes the company has an authentic culture of appreciation and gratitude, stressing what an employee is doing right and how that contributes to the company’s overall success.

Each month, the company recognizes outstanding work with “AWSome Awards,” one for performance and one for sales. The former is determined by a vote of employees.

In August, project coordinator Taras Lemekha, was recognized for taking apart and fixing a front door that wouldn’t open at a customer’s home.

“He demonstrated and represented our values,” LaVoie said.

AWS employs about 80, including 30 installers that work exclusively for the company. The company considers its market Connecticut and western Massachusetts, but its plans call for an expansion into the Boston area and beyond. AWS sells its own line of windows that a manufactured in Pennsylvania.

In the next five years, AWS expects its annual sales to rise from $20 million to $50 million, with its employees approaching 200, including installers. AWS already is thinking about needing more warehouse space, LaVoie said.

Those growth projections are a long way from the company’s humble beginnings in the late 1970s. Mark LaVoie’s father, Joe, started the business out of his house in Marlborough, selling replacement windows door-to-door. The windows were kept in a storage bin not far from the house before they were transported to customer homes.

In the years that followed, the company grew to occupy a warehouse in New Britain and later, a headquarters in Berlin.

LaVoie joined his father when he was 18, learning the business from the ground up — everything from customer service and unloading trucks to carrying windows and performing the actual installations.

LaVoie took over the day-to-day operations in 2017 and nearly four years ago, he assumed the responsibilities as president.

Ness Baracui, product coordinator, said AWS has given him the opportunity to advance within the company over the past four years. He started as an appointment scheduler and has subsequently been given more responsibilities. Baracui now oversees the ordering of what is purchased by customers.

“There is growth here, and there will always be growth here,” Baracui said. “Mark is very supportive of the growth in here and your own personal growth outside, and I think that’s really important.”

Baracui said his professional growth has translated into successfully taking on challenges in his personal life.

“I’ve gone through some personal things that I thought I was going to be defeated,” Baracui said. “And I’ve overcome them. So, it’s given me a bigger horizon that I can do things that I thought I couldn’t do before.”

Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.