Business publication names Lakewood as a top employer for 2010

LAKEWOOD – The Denver Business Journal this week named Lakewood’s City Hall as the metro area’s top “mega” employer in its annual Best Places to Work section.

The selection came in the first year the city was nominated for the designation has been named the No. 1 Best Place to Work among the largest organizations and companies in the metro area by the DBJ.

“Our annual examination of Denver’s finest workplaces was determined by the people who know them best: their employees,” the DBJ said.

The publication recognized 36 employers from four categories and selected four top employers, one in each of four categories: mega (at least 751 employees), large (251-750 employees), medium (51-250 employees) and small (10-50 employees). To participate, companies must employ at least 10 people.

Lakewood employs 950 full-time employees.

In compiling its list of top employers, DBK surveys of employees anonymously to measure 40 items 10 categories. More than 300 Lakewood employees participated, answering questions about such things as trust, individual contributions, management effectiveness and a sense of being valued.

Lakewood, the only government nominated this year, competed against organizations with thousands of employees, including private companies that offer extra benefits the city does not.

“I think what is interesting is that the companies we were up against, private sector companies, offer huge bonuses, trips and all kinds of different perks and, obviously, the city doesn’t do that,” said Ward 4 City Councilman Adam Paul. “We do pay well and the benefits are good.”

City Manager Kathy Hodgson said the award reflects the quality of city employees.

“I think the prestigious award recognizes the sense of commitment, contribution, and personal and professional pride our employees take in serving the public,” Hodgson said.

Other Top Employers on the list were: IQWIRED Inc., a telecommunications firm, was honored as the top small sized company; the Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell law firm was selected top medium-sized employer; and the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center, was chosen as the top large company.

The Journal and Quantum Workplace of Omaha, Neb., compiled the employee survey results to determine the winners.