top 10 companies to work for in seattle

Expedia, Inc. of Bellevue, scores consistent coolness kudos for having a corporate culture allowing employees to achieve a healthy work/life balance. The company is also known for providing a relaxed, casual work environment that encourages individuals to take initiative and fosters collaboration.

At SEOmoz’s Pike Place headquarters in Seattle, SEO stands for “Seriously Energized Office.” From indoor rock climbing to ping-pong tournaments to Wii dance competitions, scavenger hunts, and more; SEOmoz is big on rewarding its hard working employees with a myriad of health-minded perks. And when it comes to benefits, such as salaries comparative to Microsoft and Google, three weeks paid vacation, flex time, and a killer 401K plan, SEOmoz has it all. In fact one employee describes the company’s benefits package as “almost embarrassingly generous.”

In terms of employee recognition programs, REI offers two types of peer nominated awards. The first is the Leadership Award where the CEO, Sr. VP’s, and 12 other leaders who receive the award, travel to New Mexico to connect as a group and talk about what it means to be a leader. The second is the Anderson Award where 125 recipients below management level are recognized for their contributions with a trip to the REI campus in Seattle. There they meet leaders and enjoy a true REI experience through kayaking, boating, biking, and numerous other outdoor activities.

Nintendo of America offers its employees deep discounts on Nintendo games, hardware, and merchandise, plus plenty of perks such as free corporate suite tickets to Mariners, Sounders, and Seahawk games. In a relaxed, friendly work environment with open communication, leaders make sure every department is dialed in to the company’s goals and objectives. Performance is rewarded through an equitable bonus package, and achievements are recognized at fun corporate events throughout the year. The company also offers employees free classes for career advancement along with opportunities to learn Japanese and work in Japan.

As a provider of integrated travel and expense solutions for corporations, Concur scores consistently high employee marks in the areas of work/life balance, corporate culture, management, compensation, and benefits. And with a reputation for cultivating a family culture in which the role each employee plays in the company’s success is continually recognized by a very accessible leadership team, it’s no wonder Concur is considered a very cool and desirable place to work.

Apptio employees receive a generous healthcare and benefits package, including paid time off and reimbursement for extra-curricular activities designed for professional development. And when it comes to rewarding and recognizing individual achievements, Apptio has implemented the Superstar Award Program where two superstars are picked by their peers every six weeks to receive a cash bonus award plus eligibility for the yearly Superstar Award, part of which is an all-expense-paid vacation for two. Apptio also offers many cool perks, including $2,500 referral bonuses and events throughout the year featuring free food and drinks.

Synapse has a relaxed atmosphere that shuns cubicles and encourages open communication and collaboration. An indoor rock-climbing wall, plus foosball, and pool tables stand ready to provide interaction and healthy competition during brief downtimes—not to mention a fleet of Razor scooters and an arsenal of Lazer Tag guns. Aside from offering generous perks and benefits, Synapse is committed to preserving a cool corporate culture that emphasizes work/life balance and recognizes and rewards individual and team achievements.

Groundspeak employees and founders alike enjoy working in an attractively appointed corporate office with a relaxed and casual atmosphere. As for perks, there are plenty, including 24 annual days off, free lift tickets for nearby skiing and snowboarding, Xbox access, fully stocked fridges, Friday night poker games, catered meals, generous bonuses, and great health benefits. For a company that specializes in finding things, Groundspeak has found a winning formula for attracting great employees.

Zillow prides itself in a casual work environment where employees have a free voice in the collaborative process. Along with competitive compensation and benefits, Zillow also provides its employees free beverages, a casual dress code, on-site games, and regularly scheduled social events. And the twice yearly “hack weeks”, during which employees can work on whatever projects they can dream up are a huge hit.

Amazon benefits are excellent, with individual performance being rewarded with monetary bonuses. According to employee surveys Amazon encourages career advancement and offers many opportunities to succeed. Driven by innovation and creativity, the company is flexible with its workforce and offers many the opportunity to work from home. Amazon also shows appreciation for its employees by hosting a number of special events and concerts throughout the year.

Visit our website to discover other companies that have received the O.C. Tanner Cool Culture Award.

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