The Top Workplaces survey asked employees to anonymously tell us why they love their jobs. Here are a few samples of what they said.
Action Housing Inc.
"I have the ability to help others and I am able to balance work with personal matters without conflict."
AEC Group Inc.
"The trust my manager and team have in me, and the wide variety of technology I get to be exposed to. I also like how involved upper management is in projects at a technical level instead of just at a higher-level, more hands-off level."
AIReS
"The management works diligently to create a supportive, teamwork environment. For the most part, employees check their egos at the door and all pitch in to complete the goals."
Alpern Rosenthal
"I can't think of any other employer that does what they do for their employees, personally and professionally. It's encouraging. The management and employees are all very nice and so are the clients. I am extremely proud to say that I work here."
American Income Life, Arias Agencies
"Simon Arias has the moral fortitude to lead this agency and he earns every ounce of respect that is due him."
Ariba Inc.
"I love the flexibility that my job allows me with a young family at home. I feel that I am very well compensated for my work. I have never worked for a company that has been so employee-focused."
Braskem America
"There is very little stress. Everyone just does their job, and that makes it a pleasure to come to work every day."
Carnegie Strategic Design Engineers
"I am learning new things and being positively challenged every day."
Center for Organ Recovery and Education
"My ideas for improvement are welcomed and, even if they are not a fit, the reason is well explained and appreciation is expressed for the offering of ideas."
Centria
"I have the training and the freedom to help the customer the best way possible."
City Charter High School
"We really do believe in and support kids, and this is evident in our daily practice ... Also, City High believes in growth from within, meaning that we cultivate the future leaders of the school. There is opportunity to grow as an educator."
Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc.
"I feel like I really make a difference in my community by creating lasting and meaningful projects."
ConsultUSA
"I believe in our company, our products and our services. I believe that we deliver the very best to our clients."
DaVita Inc.
"I absolutely love my boss ... if I had a different leader, I might not love this job as much!"
Day Automotive Group
"I love this job because I am motivated to do well by management."
Dickie McCamey & Chilcote PC
"People who have left have been quoted as saying, 'There is life after Dickie McCamey but there is no place like Dickie McCamey.' "
Disney Research Pittsburgh
"It's cool."
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown
"I learn something new every day and everyone is willing to help me to be able to go that extra mile."
Edgar Snyder & Associates
"My job gives me the opportunity to learn different things about the legal field."
Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh
"Working with adults with intellectual disabilities is a reward, not just a job."
EOG Resources
"If I have any questions or concerns, my boss will literally drop whatever it is he is doing and help me with whatever it may be."
Fairmont Pittsburgh
"It lets me grow as a professional, allowing me to explore all my creativity and while it teaches me the values of a good manager."
First National Bank of Pennsylvania
"Although I took a significant pay cut to come here from a competitor, it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I feel supported by all levels of management and valued as an employee. Coming to work every day as a member of the FNB team is both an honor and a blessing, and I look forward to many more years here."
Full Service Network
"They have given me many opportunities to learn, excel and move up in the company."
Genesis Medical Associates Inc.
"My job is a new adventure every day."
Giant Eagle
"It pays my bills, and we have a lot of nice employees and a good team in our store."
Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP
"Provides the challenges as well as the flexibility I need."
Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates
"I have worked other places and can tell you what's different here is we are united in some special way. We treat each other with respect and love. And we have become a family. People say business is just business but this is not at all 'just' business for me. It is a very important part of my life."
HighJump Software
"Leadership is excellent - always transparent and willing to give you the details on decisions being made in the company or being discussed."
Impaqt
"I feel that the work I do matters and is appreciated by others."
Jim Shorkey Family Auto Group
"I have never had so many customers tell me how much better they have been treated here than other dealerships."
Jewish Family & Children's Service
"I feel like I make a difference in our clients' lives."
Karndean Designflooring
"Excellent benefits: full medical coverage and life insurance coverage offered for domestic partners."
Key Environmental Inc.
"It is a growing company and I enjoy the fast-paced, busy atmosphere."
Kids Plus Pediatrics
"I work with great people, having fun with kids, doing something worthwhile and in a progressive, innovative way. What more could you ask for?"
Knepper Press Corp.
"I am given all of the tools to succeed and, if I need something, all that I have to do is ask."
KTA Tator Inc.
"KTA is the definition of 'freedom to be the best I can be.'"
Lanxess Corp.
"It is challenging, intellectually stimulating and sometimes fun."
Levin Furniture
"I can feel secure that Levin is a strong company that is always growing and will be here for a very long time."
National Rehab
"I am allowed to work at my own pace without anyone breathing down my neck and looking over my shoulder as if I were a child."
Northwestern Mutual
"Because I have the ability to do everything I ever wanted in a career at such a young age, and get the opportunity to grow that dream even larger."
Penn National Insurance
"You learn something new every day."
Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
"It provides me the opportunity to utilize the skills that have made me successful my entire professional life. In addition, it provides me the flexibility to be the type of husband and father I need to be."
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
"People here are all passionate about the arts and making Pittsburgh a great place to live, work and play."
Pitt Ohio
"I can take ownership of my area. I can educate my team and include them in my decisions as a way of helping their development. Although I don't make the final decisions concerning some things, my department's input is sought out and valued in those final decisions."
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
"People here are all passionate about the arts and making Pittsburgh a great place to live, work and play."
Pittsburgh Marriott North at Cranberry Woods
"They care about me and my future."
Pittsburgh Mercy Health System
"I have support and autonomy. We do good work helping others who are disparate or underserved be successful. We serve people and adhere to mission and values."
Pittsburgh Technical Institute
"There is a lot of positive reinforcement. Students are the focus of everything we do. There is tremendous support for faculty and management. Emphasis is placed on long-term thinking and planning. Problems are solved when they are small in scope, so they don't get to be big problems. People here trust and respect each other, and are very protective of the teamwork and caring values in the organizational culture."
Premier Medical Associates
"My manager is THE best manager I have ever worked with. She is kind, stern and very fair. If a problem arises, she is swift in her solution. She values my input and encourages ideas. It makes it very easy to come and work hard when you are happy."
PT Marketing Group Inc.
"The management and ownership of this company really believes in the culture they are fostering."
Rosedale Technical Institute
"I like seeing the students light up when everything falls into place."
Rankin Christian Center
"Worklife balance is important to me. My job gives me that flexibility."
ReMax Select Realty
"It has great flexibility and the possibilities are endless. ReMax Select is run by exceptional professionals who have hired an awesome staff."
Rothman Gordon P.C.
"I have complete flexibility and autonomy to do my job."
Scholastic Book Fairs
"I love all of my co-workers and my managers."
Schultheis Bros. Co. Inc.
"It is a pleasure to be employed at a company that actually works as a team."
Seubert & Associates
"I am treated as an equal to all other employees, including the owner. My opinion matters and is definitely considered. In fact, all employees are encouraged to voice their opinions about how to make Seubert & Associates a better workplace at all times."
Sewickley Academy
"I feel supported. Anything I've needed I've been able to get."
Summa Technologies Inc.
"I have a strong sense of autonomy and purpose while delivering solutions to our customers."
Supercuts Management LLC
"I feel the company is run smoothly and FAIRLY."
TEIS (Therapeutic Early Intervention Services)
"Continuing education is encouraged and supported by my employers."
The Tomayko Group LLC
"I am compensated very well, and I feel that I have a voice in the company."
Tudi Mechanical Systems
"I get paid to do something that I really love doing."
University of Pittsburgh Falk Laboratory School
"It is deeply meaningful. I am respected and valued for who I am and what I do. My colleagues are kind and caring. Staff is supportive and awesome. These kind of workplaces are rare and I feel blessed."
W N Tuscano Agency Inc.
"It's fun, relaxed, easygoing with a tiny hint of stress, but I love the people I work with and owners, so that trumps the stress. Tuscano has made it possible to do my job in and out of the office. I want Tuscano's to be the place I retire from."
Washington City Mission
"I can serve the Lord and do my job."
First Published: October 25, 2012, 4:00 a.m.
