Transwestern is Best Chicago Employer, New Survey Says

By Kalyn Belsha in News on Mar 1, 2009 10:00PM

Where is the best place to work in Chicago? According to the 2009 list released today by Crain's Chicago Business, Transwestern beat out more than 150 other large businesses in the Chicago area vying for the top spot. Several companies that made the list -- all of which had 100 employees or more per survey rules -- said they invested in employee development and meaningful perks such as full health-care coverage and transportation reimbursement for their workers.

While the recession is making it difficult for small businesses to give the kinds of advantages giants like Google and Microsoft can offer - and even they announced staff cuts after this survey was completed in November -- advocates say employee development is always a worthwhile investment, even when a business is strapped for cash.

At number-one ranked Transwestern, a commercial real estate firm based in Houston, senior management says they encourage all employees to take courses that will further their training - which the company foots the bill for - and permit them to go in on business ventures with the company and then reap the profits. Some have netted millions, according to Robert Bagguley, the firm's Midwest regional president.

See the top 20 employers in Chicago, after the jump.

Crain Chicago's Top 20 Employers

1. Transwestern (commercial real estate services)
2. Microsoft (software development, manufacturing, licensing and support)
3. McTigue Financial (financial services)
4. Infinium (trades stocks, options and futures)
5. Digitas (interactive advertising agency)
6. Impact Networking (document management, printing and telecom services)
7. Google (internet search)
8. Assurance Agency (property and casualty insurance brokerage)
9. True Partners (tax consulting)
10. Resources Global (project-based consulting)
11. Clune (interior construction)
12. Upshot (advertising, promotions, event marketing)
13. Sentinel Technologies (technology consulting)
14. Bryan Cave (law firm)
15. James Hotel (boutique hotel)
16. Robert W. Baird (brokerage firm)
17. Avanade (technology consulting)
18. West Monroe Partners (business and technology consulting)
19. Perkins Coie (law firm)
20. Donlen (corporate vehicle acquisition, management and remarketing)