Several public power utilities have been recognized by Forbes and Statista, an analytics company, as among America’s best employers for 2019.
Arizona-based Salt River Project was ranked No. 81 overall among large companies with more than 5,000 employees, up from No. 189 in 2018. The ranking also places SRP first among companies headquartered in Arizona, and fourth among national utilities, SRP noted. This is the second year SRP has appeared as a Forbes best employer.
Renée Castillo, Senior Director for Human Resources at SRP, said that as a utility, “we work to provide our employees with competitive benefits and a supportive environment. Seeing these results - which are ranked by an independent third party surveying employees - means that our incredible team feels recognized.”
The list, which is in its fifth year, ranks companies most liked by its employees and is broken into two categories: one for large companies, and another for midsize companies with 1,000 to 5,000 employees.
Statista conducts an independent survey of 50,000 employees working in their U.S. locations to generate the list. Surveys are anonymous and ask open-ended questions regarding the employer to rank likeability.
In order to be considered for the list, companies must receive at least 100 recommendations, either indirect or direct. The average amount of recommendations for companies that appear on the list is 150.
Mid-size category
In the mid-size category, four public power utilities were recognized: the New York Power Authority, Florida-based JEA, Texas-based CPS Energy and California’s SMUD.
SMUD was ranked first in the utilities sector and 39 on the full list of companies in the mid-size category. The California public power utility was ranked No. 26 on the 2018 list of America’s Best Midsize Employers.
“We’re proud and honored with this recognition,” said Laurie Rodriguez, SMUD Human Resource Services, Diversity and Inclusion Director. “At SMUD we’re fostering and supporting a diverse workplace where contributions of employees with a variety of backgrounds, points of view and expertise can thrive and feel included, making us a better and stronger community-owned organization.”
Meanwhile, NYPA was featured on the list of America’s best midsize employers for the second year in a row, ranking second in the utility industry and 52nd on the full list of companies liked best by employees, it noted.
NYPA “is pleased to be included on Forbes’ prestigious annual ranking of top employers for the second year in a row,” said Gil Quiniones, NYPA’s president and CEO. “At NYPA, we have top-tier professionals leading the energy revolution, under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s leadership and clean energy vision, alongside our utility peers, which are mostly for-profit companies. Our employees benefit from a culture of inclusion and diversity, and a progressive line-up of opportunities for job advancement and growth. We, together, make NYPA a great place to work.”
JEA ranked third on the set of rankings in the utilities segment and 124th overall among all companies in the mid-size category.
“We are honored to be considered as one of America’s best midsize employers,” said Aaron Zahn, JEA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
“We have phenomenal employees who proudly serve our community,” he said. “By continuing to develop a culture that encourages innovation, collaboration and creativity, our goal is to attract and retain a diverse group of people who constantly think of ways to increase the value we provide to our customers. If you add in the hours that our employees spend volunteering throughout greater Jacksonville, I think we have a great recipe for success.”
San Antonio-based CPS Energy ranked eighth among all utilities in the mid-size segment and 251st among all companies in the mid-size category.
“People are sometimes surprised at how people-focused a municipal utility can be, but CPS Energy’s People First philosophy is at the heart of everything we do,” said Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy’s Vice President of People & Culture.
“We exist to serve our community, and our 3,100 team members put customers, community and co-workers at the center of every decision,” Lewis said.
“We hire people for careers, not jobs, and our commitment to our people is that they will have purposeful work and opportunities,” the CPS Energy official noted.
“Whether it’s through specific skills training, leadership development, or earning a degree, CPS Energy is committed to the personal growth and overall well-being of our people for the length of their career. And in turn, our people take great pride in taking care of this community of 1.5 million customers.”
For additional details on the rankings, click here.
