Is your company headed toward an employee shakeup?

• Author: Francom, Sarah Ryther
• Position: From the Editor - Letter to the editor

As the economy improves, will your employees jump ship? A recent report by national recruiting firm FPC found that 79 percent of all employees plan to begin the job hunt during 2013. The report gave two primary reasons for the looming worker exodus: no opportunity for advancement and perceived employee mistreatment.

When times are tight, company culture, perks and benefits, and employee morale often become a low priority. But study after study indicates that it pays to keep your employees happy. From low productivity to poor customer service, disgruntled employees are a burden--and turnover is expensive. According to Jeff Kortes, president of Human Asset Management, turnover costs can extend from 30 percent for entry-level employees to 150 percent for mid-level employees to 400 percent for high-level employees. In short, keeping your employees engaged with your company is likely a sound investment.

In our final issue of 2012, we're happy to feature 22 of the state's Best Companies to Work For. These companies don't just say that their employees are their No. 1 asset--they mean it. These companies have found that by investing in their employees, their employees give back by doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Learn more about each company and the Best Companies to Work For selection process beginning on page 68.

As we put together the Best Companies to Work For article, we asked each executive why they have made it a priority to build a great place to work--even during the sluggish economy. We learned that creating an organization that is a Best Company to Work For is truly a win-win for everyone--employees, executives and the bottom line. Here are a few of the responses we heard:

Grant Thornton Managing Partner Steve Stauffer says positive company culture leads to a dynamic organization. "Company culture...