The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) recently announced its list of the 50 best small and medium companies to work for in America. SHRM defined a small company as having between 50 and 250 employees and a medium company as having between 251 to 999 employees. Here are some statistics about the top companies that I found of interest:

• 88% of small companies and 80% of medium size companies offer employees paid time off to volunteer
• 74% of small companies and 76% of medium size companies pay an employee referral bonus
• 80% of small companies and 60% of medium size companies allow employees to use a flexible schedule as a regular work arrangement at least 20 percent of the time
• 64% of small companies and 56% of medium size companies allow employees to telecommute as a regular work arrangement at least 20 percent of the time
• 40% of small companies and 32% of medium size companies pay 100 percent of employees’ health care premiums

If you work for a small or medium size company, how does your company compare?

This is the fifth year that SHRM has published its list of the top small and medium size companies. A common thread over the years is the respect these companies show to their employees and to work-life balance. These companies demonstrate how much they value their people in very tangible and less tangible ways. I applaud these companies.

On a personal note, my stepson is in the Naval Reserve. He recently completed a tour of duty in Iraq and returned home to California. While he was gone, his employer communicated with him regularly through email, updating him on company news and ongoing projects. His employer also assured him that his job would be waiting for him when he returned to the States. The company’s management also checked in on my daughter-in-law and grandchild every month to ensure they were doing alright. I am incredibly impressed with the caring this company’s management showed to my stepson and his family. And, I am grateful.