2025 Best Places to Work Program – Now Accepting Applications!

The Best Places to Work Survey is back for 2025!

The 2025 Best Places to Work Survey is officially LIVE for 2025 in Southeast Minnesota!

About the Program:

The Best Places to Work is a national program that recognizes outstanding employers in local communities. Workforce Development, Inc. has sponsored the program in Southeast Minnesota for 15 years and will again survey companies across Freeborn, Mower, Rice, Steele, Goodhue, Olmsted, Houston, Dodge, Fillmore, Wabasha, and Winona counties to identify the ‘cream of the crop’ employers in Southeast Minnesota. Winners are recognized in three categories: small, mid-size, and large businesses.

Designed for organizations striving to position themselves as leaders in workforce solutions, this survey is an easy-to-implement tool that not only supports a thriving community but also demonstrates a commitment to employee retention and well-being. Celebrate your organization’s culture, people, and success while gaining valuable tools to grow and attract top talent.

The free survey consists of 40 questions covering 37 key measurements, broken down as follows:
• 50%: Turnover, Growth, Training, Promotion
• 15%: Benefits
• 15%: Written Response to Questions
• 10%: Profit Sharing, Bonus, and Pay
• 5%: Working Environment
• 5%: Retirement Programs

The winners will be recognized at our annual Workforce Development Forum taking place on April 3rd, 2025. At the event, participants will also have the chance to listen to our keynote presentation, share insights and learn best practices from leading employers in Southeast Minnesota. Winners will also be given access to marketing resources to showcase their achievements, such as banners to display at their business and optional branded items like t-shirts for employees.

 

Apply now and take the first step toward recognition.

The survey deadline is February 7, 2025!




How does it work?
  • Participants complete a 40-question online survey, conducted by Personnel Dynamics Consulting Group, covering metrics like turnover, training, benefits, and work environment.
  • Survey results are then analyzed to identify the best practices in each category and determine the winners.
  • Categories include Small, Medium, and Large Businesses, so organizations of all sizes have an equal chance to shine.
  • There’s no cost to participate, and you’ll walk away with powerful data to inform your strategies for talent attraction and retention.
What’s in it for you?
  • Gain Recognition: Businesses emerging in the Small, Medium, and Large Business categories as the “cream-of-the-crop” in SE Minnesota can use the official logo in their marketing and recruitment efforts and will receive other promotional tools to highlight this honor to employees and applicants.
  • Invaluable Insights: Every participating business receives a FREE, personalized, and confidential report with key data on benefits, training, growth, and other workplace practices. Identify your strengths, uncover areas for improvement, and see just how well your business compares to others in the region.
  • Celebrate Success: Winning businesses will be honored at the 2025 Workforce Development Forum in April! This energizing event features a keynote speaker, employer panel, and of course – the Best Places to Work celebration! Winning businesses have the opportunity to showcase their workplace culture at the event through a short, creative video for a fun way to highlight what makes your team special and engage employees in the process!

 

Apply now: Southeast Minnesota Best Places to Work Survey 2025

PRESS RELEASE: 2024 Workforce Development Forum

Workforce Development, Inc., The SE Minnesota Workforce Development Board, Winona Workforce Development Board, CareerForce and the Rochester Area of Chamber of Commerce Present the 2024 Workforce Development Forum

Rochester, MN – Workforce Development, Inc., the Southeast Minnesota Workforce Development Board, along with CareerForce, Winona Workforce Development Board, and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, are hosting the 2024 Workforce Development Forum, taking place on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Rochester International Event Center. This exciting event will feature keynote speaker Gerry Hoeffner, President of Personnel Dynamics Consulting Group and the Best Places to Work program.

The Workforce Development Forum of Southeast Minnesota will be a combined event with the SE Minnesota Best Places to Work celebration; join us as we explore ways to build, invigorate, and invest in workforce development and the Southeast Minnesota regional economy. An employer panel will also be hosted during the event, where we will hear from local employers and discuss their best practices.

Date: Thursday, April 25, 2024

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: Rochester Event Center, 7333 Airport View Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902

Registration: $25 per person or $175 for a table of eight (8), open to all employers and public.

Register via Eventbrite.

Sponsorship opportunities available! Click the registration link or contact Samantha Draisey at sdraisey@wdimn.org or 507.292.6524 to inquire.

 

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