Utah's Best Companies to Work For.

• Author: Colby, Kent
• Position: Cover Story

When your job is your life, a growing phenomenon in America these days, shouldn't the "little things" include mental and physical space conducive to some level of positive well-being?

One would think so. And so, apparently, do a large number of Utah's top employers. Utah Business magazine surveyed the state's top public and private companies in an effort to distinguish those that recognize there is more to a job than just money. The results of the survey reveal trends in healthcare benefits, time off, education and training opportunities; also in the value of all those "extras" that make a difference -- bonuses, product discounts, dry-cleaning delivery and, in the case of one Midvale company, pet insurance.

If gauging a company's quality by its degree of service and consideration given to the employee, the companies topping this list constitute many of the "Best Companies to Work for in Utah."

The list includes private companies such as Futura Industries, ARUP Laboratories, Convergys Corporation, Westminster College and CompHealth Inc. In the publicly traded sector, social responsibility finds its way into the workplace with Nature's Sunshine products, Evans & Sutherland, NPS Pharmaceuticals, First Scientific, Novell Inc. and others.

Across the board, there's evidence that most companies on the Utah Business list take their human resources seriously. So while many employees in Utah toil long hours in a cube, at an assembly-line or over a boardroom table, they likely do so with fully paid health insurance premiums, a growing retirement fund that includes the "free money" of an employer's contribution, on-site fitness equipment and the opportunity to further their education on the company s dime.

Plus, interestingly enough, as Utah buckles and shifts under the weight of a new economy, the benefits offered by these top companies aren't declining. From the mouths of their CEOs and human resources directors comes testimony that a sound company starts first with a satisfied, enthusiastic workforce and a core set of employee benefits.

Not to say there isn't room for improvement. Only four of the companies that responded to the survey -- 7 percent -- offer daycare services for their workers, either on-site or through a cost-sharing program. However, many -- such as SkyWest Airlines -- say they are considering the option.

Likewise, only one-fourth offer transportation services or discounts, a growing concern as the Salt Lake Valley and its arterial freeways and thoroughfares become further congested and workers are forced into ever-longer commutes.

meeting & exceeding

So what are the most important factors about a job and the related workplace? According to theorist Abraham Maslow, each person must have certain needs met in a specific order, if they are to be happy and reach their true potential. Maslow recognized that basic survival -- food and shelter -- come first. Concern for safety and security follow. Next comes a sense of belonging, self-esteem and finally, self-actualization.

Utah staffing agencies and headhunters say they're seeing core benefit values that help cover the basic necessities of life, including retirement, healthcare, job security and education reimbursement, once again lead the pack over more frivolous options like telecommuting, sabbatical opportunities and housing allowances. As Utah tightens its economic belt against the impacts of market downturns in the information technology and dot-coin industries, jobseekers aren't expecting the highflying incentives of two years ago, or even this time last year. Mostly, it's the basics that once again prevail.

well-feathered nest

Money. While it's not all about money, financial benefit is generally the greatest incentive to join the workforce. Complementing a salary or hourly wage, it's typically the long-term financial benefit that's of most concern.

In the ranks of compensation programs, seemingly one of the best among Utah's top private and public companies is that of Salt Lake law firm Parsons Behle & Latimer. The firm's

Money Purchase Pension and Profit Sharing plans include a contribution range between 20 and 25 percent of the employee's gross salary annually to a maximum of $35,000. In addition, employees can be eligible for the program after only two years of service.

Parson Behle...