At Cheshire, Conn.-based Osterman and Co., healthy habits are encouraged because "healthy people are happy people." Yoga classes, walking breaks and weight-loss clubs are offered, and the company encourages employees to use all of their vacation days.
The resin distributor has 10 paid holidays per year and gives employees 10 paid days off after one year of employment. There are 49 employees in Connecticut and 94 total.
Holidays and celebrations are also emphasized, with Halloween lunches and costume contests, holiday meals, employee wedding and baby showers, bowling tournaments, pizza trucks and "ice cream emergencies."
"…[I]t's important to us that we have fun. The laughter we hear at the office is infectious and makes Osterman a great place to work," the company said in its Best Places to Work questionnaire.
On Osterman Community Day, employees work at local charities. The Osterman Community Foundation, which raises money for those in need, has raised more than $1 million and helped more than 630 families.
The company matches 40-50 percent of employees' retirement contributions.
"We believe communication is key to a thriving workplace," the company said in the survey. "There are town halls to update on company performance and projects. Our newsletter, Salesforce and BUZZ, our intranet, are how we share [company] news, acknowledge our employees and share relevant information. We believe openness leads to better relationships and communication."
Awards are presented to employees for seniority ($250 for five years, $500 for 10 years, $750 for 15 years and $1,000 for 20 years), service, Salesperson of the Year and the President's Award.
"We put so much effort into our culture, so our employees enjoy work every day — and that power is unquestionable," John Dwyer, president of Osterman, said in the questionnaire.