Job dissatisfaction is at an all-time high. Gallup’s latest State of the Global Workforce report, which surveyed employees in over 160 countries, found that 62% feel emotionally detached from their jobs, and 40% report feeling constantly stressed. While many factors contribute to job dissatisfaction, toxic work environments are often a key culprit. Add ongoing economic uncertainty, and it’s no surprise that employee priorities are shifting. More than ever, employees are placing a premium on job security. It’s also no longer just about salary; employees want to know that their company has a clear plan for long-term growth and employee retention.
Even in a shaky job market, you don’t have to work for a company that leaves you feeling drained or undervalued. Many companies continue to prioritize employee well-being, offer opportunities for growth and cultivate healthy, supportive cultures. Here’s how to identify a company that’s worth joining – and steer clear of ones that aren’t.
What Makes a Company a Great Place to Work in 2025
After months of uncertainty marked by layoffs, tariffs and AI-driven disruptions, 2025 has been off to a rocky start. With economic and labor market volatility, job seekers are prioritizing security and stability in their next role.
“Job seekers now are looking more closely into factors like whether companies have had a history of layoffs or high turnover. They’re also evaluating if there’s long-term growth potential so they don’t have to job hop,” said Hollie Delaney, chief people officer at Power Home Remodeling, which has more than 3,000 employees nationwide, in an email.
Job seekers now have greater expectations regarding company culture and benefits, Delaney said. “For example, they may consider mental health benefits, unique experiences and upskilling opportunities – things that make for a more fulfilling work experience.”
For a data-driven view, consider the metrics evaluated when determining the U.S. News Best Companies to Work For. They are:
- Quality of pay and benefits
- Work-life balance and flexibility
- Job and company stability
- Physical and psychological comfort
- Belongingness and esteem
- Career opportunities and professional development
The Best Companies to Work For methodology provides more information on how these metrics are determined and evaluated, allowing you to explore those factors more deeply and determine how they may register in your job search.
Acknowledges and Addresses Uncertainty
Today, many companies and employees are affected by rapidly evolving market forces, advancements in artificial intelligence and a volatile political landscape.
“Healthy organizations should acknowledge this and not sweep it under the rug,” wrote Loren Margolis, leadership coach at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and adjunct leadership faculty at Stony Brook University–SUNY, in an email. “Good companies to work for will put measures into place to support employees at all levels to navigate the uncertainty, like town halls, consistent communication and updates.”
Promotes a Culture of Psychological Safety
Psychological safety means feeling safe to speak up, take risks or make mistakes. “Psychological safety is frequently undervalued and misunderstood,” Margolis said. “It is the differentiating factor between high- and low-performing teams – and a company that you want or don’t want to join.”
A workplace culture of psychological safety empowers employees to speak up with new ideas, ask questions, discuss mistakes, give feedback and not be shut down or punished for doing so, Margolis said. “Psychological safety starts at the top with leaders who admit that they don’t know everything and openly want to learn from their employees,” she said. “They allow employees to speak up, even when they have wacky, pie-in-the-sky ideas to share.”
When evaluating employers, the U.S. News’ Best Companies to Work For list measures physical and psychological comfort, which is defined as a safe work environment from both a physical and psychological perspective. This metric takes into account factors such as employee sentiment of inclusiveness and senior leadership.
Supports Your Career Growth
Another common characteristic of a great company to work for is that management wants you to be successful in your career, both during your tenure at the company and after you’ve left.
“Great companies are transparent about career paths and what it takes to move up or around the organization,” Margolis said. “They have candid conversations with employees about how they want to grow. They invest in skill building through training, coaching, stretch projects and sponsoring employees for additional education.”
She warned about companies that aren’t transparent about career paths and don’t have clear strategies for developing employees at all levels.
For more insights into how companies approach this offering, the U.S. News Best Companies to Work For list evaluates career opportunities and professional development. This encompasses mobility rates within a company, opportunities for benefits like tuition assistance and growth opportunities perceived by employees.
Provides Feedback
One of the best ways to advance in your career and get better at your job is by receiving candid and ongoing feedback. Margolis believes that great companies have leaders who know the benefits of providing feedback and give it readily to employees.
“Feedback conversations should be both positive – to reinforce what you are doing well – and constructive, which tells you specifically how to improve,” Margolis explained. “I call feedback conversations the guardrails of high-performing cultures and great organizations.”
Strives for a Talent-Task Match
While most companies aim to place employees in roles in which they can complete tasks competently, “truly great companies make an earnest attempt to identify which types of projects excite an employee and tap into their true passions and interests, which is when some of the best work is done,” said Joseph Liu, career change consultant, professional speaker and host of the Career Relaunch podcast, in an email.
Values Employees
Without recognition and acknowledgment in the workplace, employees can feel like an unnoticed cog in a wheel.
“Few things are more demotivating than not being noticed or seen within an organization, so the great companies out there make a point to acknowledge the unique contributions each employee makes,” Liu said. Plus, employee acknowledgment not only boosts morale, it also drives engagement and productivity, creating a more motivated workforce.
When it comes to evaluating companies on this metric via the Best Companies to Work For list, consider the belongingness and esteem metric. This data point reflects whether employees feel connected to the organization and appreciated for their contributions.
Fosters a Culture of Adaptability
Another quality that makes a company great to work for is its ability to evolve and help employees evolve. As the workplace continues to change, more workers are seeking opportunities to gain new certifications, pivot careers and build future-ready skill sets.
“AI is a prime example of this as employees begin to upskill and reskill with AI tools,” said Salena Coachman, vice president of talent sustainability, talent acquisition, and diversity and inclusion at Armstrong World Industries, in an email. “Companies are successful when they can adapt to changes in their market by encouraging continuous learning and embracing emerging technologies.”
Has Commitable Core Values
A workplace can’t be truly great without a strong set of committable core values. “Simply put, this means as an organization, you know who you are and what you’re marching toward,” Delaney said.
She explained that these values can guide companies through difficult times and foster a culture of trust and belonging. “When you live by your core values as an organization, you build a more authentic environment that attracts candidates and retains employees,” she said.
How to Assess a Company’s Culture
Before accepting a job offer, evaluate the company’s culture to ensure it offers a positive work environment and stability, especially during uncertain times. Here’s how to go about it.
Observe Your Potential Colleagues
Ask if it’s possible to observe the team you’re thinking of joining to see it in action, Margolis suggested. “For example, join a couple of their Zoom team meetings and see how they treat each other,” she said. “Observe a project kick-off meeting to see how work is delegated and discussed. Spend two to three hours on site and look at how the boss interacts with all levels of employees.”
Ask About Career Growth Opportunities
Always approach a job interview as if you’re not only the interviewee but also the interviewer. This means you should ask questions to gauge the company culture and career growth opportunities. “For example, you could ask about training and developing, coaching and whether the company invests in those tools,” Margolis said.
Review the Company’s Public Information
Another way to determine whether a company offers stability and a healthy work environment is to review its financial statements, sustainability reports or website.
“A strong culture will shine through in everything a company shares externally,” Coachman said. Although revenue is important, she said companies should also highlight and support employees and the communities in which they operate.
Understand How Employee Engagement Is Measured
Whether you’re interviewing for a leadership position or an entry-level role, you want to know whether the company values employee happiness and satisfaction. Margolis suggested asking your prospective employer whether it conducts annual surveys on employee engagement and how it addresses the results. “You could also ask the team for which you are interviewing for examples of how the employee experience is assessed and supported,” she said.
Red Flags to Watch Out for During Your Job Search
A key part of finding the right company is learning to recognize signs that one is not a good fit. Here are a few red flags to watch out for.
- High turnover rates. High employee turnover is a sign that people are regularly resigning from their roles, which can point to a deeper issue in the company. A high employee turnover rate could indicate a high-stress work environment, poor management, low compensation or lack of advancement opportunities. “Ask about employee retention rates during interviews and research reviews on platforms like Glassdoor to uncover these patterns,” said Justin Marcus, co-founder and CEO of Big 4 Talent, a platform that connects skilled professionals with employers in the accounting and finance sector, in an email.
- Unclear job expectations. Be skeptical of job descriptions that lack clarity. “Clear, consistent communication about your role and responsibilities is crucial for your job satisfaction,” Marcus said. “Ambiguity may suggest disorganization or unrealistic expectations from the employer.”
- Negative company reputation. A solid reputation often signals a respectful, supportive workplace. Check industry news and Glassdoor reviews to assess it, noting any negative themes frequently mentioned or legal issues. “Remember to always trust your instincts if something feels off,” Marcus said.
- Lack of transparency around layoffs or restructuring. Transparency is crucial in today’s uncertain job market. If a company dodges questions about recent layoffs, restructuring or long-term strategy, that’s a red flag. Great companies are upfront about how they’re navigating uncertainty and supporting their employees during challenging periods.
- Overemphasis on “hustle culture.” Beware of job listings or interviewers who glorify long hours and extremely fast-paced work environments. Companies that promote a “hustle culture” mentality may lack flexibility and fail to show empathy for their employees.
Find a Company That Values You and Your Career
If you’re considering a job change, look for companies that are transparent about their goals, honest about challenges, forward-thinking and people-first. As mentioned above, the best workplaces often demonstrate adaptability and a genuine commitment to helping employees grow, even in the face of job market volatility and change.
Adam, Jamela. “What Makes a Company Great to Work For?” U.S. News, 11 June 2024, money.usnews.com/careers/articles/what-makes-a-company-great-to-work-for.
