Boston’s tech industry is competitive, and the demand for talent continues. Built In Boston spoke with four companies that are currently hiring 118 positions between them, and each are appealing to prospective hires in their own way.
Amid the Great Resignation, tech companies have been focusing on employee happiness to increase retention and productivity. Of course, the specific benefits and inspiration that motivate happiness will be different for everyone. Not everyone is satisfied with the worn-out cliches of free pizza and ping pong. Job seekers should ask themselves how perks, company mission and challenging projects factor into their satisfaction at work.
We posed those questions to top people at four companies expanding their workforce. Vish Chawla values the subsidies Bright Horizons provides for employee care needs, such as child and eldercare, while Chris D'Arcy enjoys “no meeting Fridays” during summer months at Arcadia.
We also heard from people at Rue Gilt Groupe and Forward Financing about their favorite perks, projects and what keeps them excited about their workplace. Read on to hear more.
Bright Horizons provides employer-sponsored childcare to more than 1,000 companies, as well as back-up childcare, education and eldercare. It is rated a top place to work by Fortune.
What was the key driver in your decision to join your company?
My key motivator in joining Bright Horizons was the cause for which the company stands and its culture. Bright Horizons, before anything else, is a people company. Everyone drives with a purpose but remains grounded in preserving the blossoming people-centric culture within the company.
What challenges a person to exceed expectations is when you realize the overall societal outcomes you’re driving.”
The transformation journey we are going through, and the digital landscape that we are building, is absolutely cutting edge. But, what challenges a person to exceed expectations is when you realize the overall societal outcomes you’re driving by serving our business and clients.
What’s your favorite perk or benefit your company offers, and why?
My favorite perk is the substantial subsidies the company offers for all employee care needs, such as child and eldercare. I love the company’s tuition reimbursement policies, which allow employees to further their education either through professional certifications or degree programs.
I also love working on a number of really cool projects in the product development, data and analytics space using market-leading tech in SaaS, PaaS, data warehousing, BI, AI and ML.
Rue Gilt Groupe is an e-commerce company that caters to those seeking off-price luxury and premium brands through their three sites: Gilt, Rue La La, and Shop Premium Outlets.
What’s the number one reason you’ve stayed with your company?
I’ve stayed at Rue Gilt Groupe because the company and its leaders truly foster an environment that emphasizes a healthy work-life balance for associates. In addition to our hybrid way of work, flexible time-off benefit and various wellness activities sponsored by RGG, I am empowered to not only work hard but also take a break and recharge when needed.
The company and its leaders truly foster an environment that emphasizes a healthy work-life balance.”
What’s the coolest project you’ve worked on recently, and how did it help you grow professionally?
Our vision at RGG is “to spark delight through daily discovery – we make shopping an occasion to celebrate.” As a buyer, I help bring our vision to life every day by sourcing new and exciting brands in home décor. It’s the coolest part of my job because I’m constantly researching market trends and consumer behavior, part of which includes shopping competitors in person and online. I travel to numerous trade shows a year to deepen relationships with our existing brand partners and network with new brands that we haven’t featured yet. This part of my role has helped me grow professionally, because I’ve learned how to stay curious – always in search of the who, what and why that will surprise and delight our members and connect them to world-class brands.
Fintech company Forward Financing has provided capital to over 40,000 small businesses. It also recently ranked second for medium-sized firms in Boston Business Journal’s best places to work.
What’s the number one reason you’ve stayed with your company?
The number one reason I’ve stayed with Forward is its commitment to the growth and development of its employees. Forward places a high emphasis on employee satisfaction and growth, which contributes heavily to the awesome culture in place! For example, the professional development policy enables employees to use up to $2,000 per year to pursue professional development classes. Forward also encourages employees to take advantage of internal mobility opportunities if a potential role better aligns with their long-term career goals.
What’s your favorite perk or benefit your company offers, and why?
My favorite perk that Forward offers is the forward flex pass. It gives employees $120 per month to put towards wellness, commuting or home office expenses. It gives employees flexibility to spend the money in a way that best suits their individual needs. It’s super accessible and it accrues quarterly, which makes it easy to use for larger purchases. It’s a great example of how Forward supports my health and wellness as an individual employee!
Healthtech company Arcadia is a population health management company specializing in data aggregation and analytics.
What was the key driver in your decision to join your company?
The key driver was Arcadia’s mission. We want to solve healthcare’s greatest challenges. We believe pulling together extremely talented employees, matched up with incredible partners, makes a powerful combination. We’re working toward better outcomes for everyone.
We want to solve healthcare’s greatest challenges.”
What’s your favorite perk or benefit your company offers, and why?
One of my favorite perks is “no meeting Fridays” during the summer months. We want our employees to have time to think about solving big problems, work on long-term projects and to give space to our creative Arcadians to do what they do best.
