WORK PERKS.

• Position: 2019 BEST EMPLOYERS in NORTH CAROLINA

As a new generation enters the workforce, employers must be creative to recruit and retain top talent. Companies have begun to add more unique offerings to their employee benefits, including outings to ballparks, meditation rooms, company bikes and kayaks, and intramural sports teams. In Business North Carolina's 2019 list of Best Employers in the state, perks that emphasize a work-life balance prevail: Many of the companies on the list boast wellness programs, flexible work schedules and opportunities to volunteer in the community. In its annual survey, Best Companies Group polled employees and their employers on dozens of topics, from recruiting practices to recognition programs. Topping the list are Emerald Isle-based logistics firm Transportation Impact and Edward Jones, a St. Louis-based financial-services company that employs more than 1,300 people in North Carolina.

BEST EMPLOYERS: SMALL TO MEDIUM COMPANIES (15-240 U.S. EMPLOYEES)

1 Transportation Impact LLC

Emerald Isle, logistics consulting

U.S. Employees: 661 N.C. Employees: 57

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This year's top-rated employer is all about giving back, offering employees up to 20 paid hours each year to volunteer in the community as part of its IMPACT1 initiative. When Hurricane Florence swept through eastern North Carolina, the company provided an allowance to employees with storm damage and supplied free housing to displaced workers.

2 Mackenzie Ryan

Raleigh, staffing

U.S. Employees: 161 N.C. Employees: 16

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Employees have a chance to socialize both in and out of the office with frequent happy hours, company Olympic games and barbecues. On-site personal development and stress management workshops, seminars and classes give Mackenzie Ryan employees ease of mind.

3 Personify

Raleigh, staffing U.S. Employees: 831 N.C. Employees: 70

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Personify's headquarters are located in a renovated Dr Pepper warehouse in downtown Raleigh, which boasts a 20-foot digital wall, DJ booth, relaxation room, bleacherstyle seating, outside patio and garden, and rotating artwork by local artists.

4 Parrish and Partners PLLC

Columbia, S.C., engineering U.S. Employees: 601 N.C. Employees: 21

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Parrish and Partners looks out for employee wellness with its employer-sponsored Employee Assistance Program, which provides counseling for marital, parental or financial problems and assistance for specific conditions such as substance abuse, smoking and gambling. The company also offers perks such as lactation facilities, free snacks, workhour flexibility and group lunches.

5 Forrest Firm PC

Durham, legal services U.S. Employees: 341 N.C. Employees: 34

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The law firm celebrates work-life balance with fun outings such as family day at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where it gathers its staff for a ball-game outing. Forrest Firm also boasts a "work from anywhere" and open PTO policy.

6 Versado Training

Raleigh, custom training solutions U.S. Employees: 211 N.C. Employees: 21

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Versado encourages employees to bring their pets to work, providing dog beds, treats and toys around the office in addition to a fenced-in play space for the pups to romp. The company also hosts team building activities such as archery, escape rooms and bowling.

7 The Brooks Group

Greensboro, sales and sales-management training

U.S. Employees: 341 N.C. Employees: 34

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The Greensboro training company mixes work with pleasure, providing office perks such as a massage chair day, birthday celebrations, cookouts, bowling outings and more.

8 Samet Corp.

Greensboro, general contractor U.S. Employees: 207 | N.C. Employees: 187

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Samet Corp. welcomes new employees with open arms by gifting "Samet gear" packages and sending a pre-hire gift to their home. Additional perks include an on-site fitness facility, cellphone stipend, vehicle allowance, continuing education initiatives through Samet University and a robust intern program that results in future full-time hires.

9 Blackman & Sloop CPAs PA

Chapel Hill, accounting U.S. Employees: 361 N.C. Employees: 36

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The Chapel Hill accounting firm organizes a variety of team-building activities, such as a boxing day out, a wine-and-design party and tax season celebrations. It provides staff with in-house motivation through activities such as midweek Zumba classes, Oreo cookie day and potato bar lunches.

10 WingSwept

Garner, technology U.S. Employees: 441 N.C. Employees: 44

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Recent and upcoming family-friendly events offered by the Garner technology company include a mini-golf competition, cooking competitions, office Olympics, renting a movie theater and booking a box at a local minor league baseball game. Employees organize fitness activities such as morning sessions at the nearby gym, outdoor runs, pingpong matches and backyard football games.

11 HireNetworks

Morrisville, staffing U.S. Employees: 16 I N.C. Employees: 15

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HireNetworks is all about employee self-growth, offering an in-office meditation room, a wellness program, lunch-and-learns and on-site personal development and stressmanagement workshops.

12 Action Plus Ideas

Charlotte, advertising, PR, marketing U.S. Employees: 151 N.C. Employees: 15

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The Charlotte firm's office includes a workout room where employees take advantage of the company's one-hour-a-week paid time to exercise. Action Plus Ideas also offers "Free Lunch Fridays" and company...