Rockland Trust, HubSpot, Energi, and Tamr named top employers; eighth annual magazine debuts this Sunday

Boston, MA – The Boston Globe honors Massachusetts’ best employers in its annual Top Places to Work section, which will appear online at BostonGlobe.com/topplaces on the night of November 12 and in The Boston Globe Magazine on November 15. This year, Rockland Trust, HubSpot, Energi, and Tamr took the top honors in their respective size categories, marking the first time for all four companies to top the lists.

For eight years, this popular magazine has recognized the state’s most admired workplaces voted on by the people who know them the best–the employees themselves.

Rockland Trust, with more than 1,000 employees in the state, was crowned the best workplace in the largest company category, jumping from 4th place on last year’s list. The Hanover-based community bank has expanded well beyond its South Shore origins in recent years. And as the bank has grown, caring about his employees has been a central principle of chief executive Christopher Oddleifson. For example, Oddleifson personally calls every new employee to welcome them.

HubSpot took the top spot in the large company category. With over 700 employees in the region, this Cambridge-based company aims to change online marketing and sales to better fit how people want to buy. That’s also the same philosophy chief executive Brian Halligan holds in running the company–creating a workplace that accommodates how today’s employees want to work. There’s a tremendous amount of transparency in the office, as well as lots of snacks (and a hammock).

Energi, a Peabody-based insurance company, ranked No. 1 in the medium category. Founded in 2005, Energi aims to offer better business insurance options by way of hiring better employees. Chief executive Brian McCarthy believes that the key is to treat his workers, and their work, with respect. The company has a large kitchen located in the heart of the office where employees can eat, play, and discuss work in a more spontaneous way.

Tamr, a young, vibrant software company based in Cambridge, topped the small company category in its first year on the list. Chief executive Andy Palmer’s philosophy is to “create a meritocracy, not a rigid hierarchy.” Office happy hours, movie outings, and group workouts are all part of the schedule.

“The success of a company is not only measured by its revenue and profits, but also by the loyalty and satisfaction of its employees,” said Katie Johnston, Boston Globe workplace reporter and Top Places to Work editor. “The winning companies have developed innovative ways to engage and motivate their workers, which serves as a key factor in innovation and leads to better professional performance.”

This year’s Top Places to Work issue, incorporated into The Boston Globe Magazine, features an essay on female bosses by columnist Joanna Weiss, a story on “work spouses” by lifestyle reporter Beth Teitell, and a look at pet-friendly offices by business staffer Taryn Luna. In addition, the magazine also includes the Globe Magazine’s usual lifestyle columns such as Perspective, First Person, and Style Watch, all with a business angle to accompany the Top Place to Work issue.

The Boston Globe’s 2015 Top Places to Work survey, conducted by employee survey firm WorkplaceDynamics, measured nearly 77,000 individual responses to statements about their companies’ direction, execution, connection, management, work, pay and benefits, and engagement. Of all the 2,178 companies invited to participate this year, 357 have completed the process. The employers are placed into one of four groups: small, with 50 to 99 employees; medium, with 100 to 249 workers; large, with 250 to 999; and largest, with 1,000 or more. The winners share a few key traits, including offering progressive benefits, giving their employees a voice, and encouraging them to have some fun while they’re at it.

Top Places to Work online extras include sortable rankings and photo galleries. All can be found at www.bostonglobe.com/topplaces. Readers can follow the news on Twitter at #workboston.

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