99 or Fewer Employees

1. Proffer Financial

Company description: Home loan lender
Number of employees: 40
3636 Nobel Drive, Suite 410, San Diego 92122
858-453-5405, 600-984-0634;
profferfinancial.com
Highlights: 15-20 percent higher wages than industry norm, bonuses, casual environment, gym memberships, incentive program, less than 3 percent turnover

We kept hearing the same thing during our random survey of Proffer Financial employees: “I look forward to coming into work every day!” The enthusiasm was undeniable. Either someone is spiking the water cooler, or this is a seriously attractive place to work.

Operations manager Mark Madden says it’s the latter. He’s been with the company since its inception in 2003. “One of the founding thoughts was to promote a work/life balance,” says Madden. “We work hard and play hard. We establish goals and set rewards the whole company can share in.”

The top salespeople recently enjoyed a four-day vacation to Cabo San Lucas. Closer to home, colleagues get to know each other on a personal level during picnics at Mission Bay, Padres games, opening day at the Del Mar races, golf tournaments and Friday-afternoon Happy Hours. They’re also encouraged to get involved in the community through the company’s association with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

With 40 employees, Proffer Financial is the smallest business to make our Best Workplaces list. Clearly, smaller can be better. “The small-shop atmosphere and flat-line management structure makes you feel like . . . a genuine contributor to the company’s overall success,” says one employee.

The office environment also plays a part in promoting a collaborative, friendly atmosphere. You won’t find a maze of cubicles or offices with closed doors; it’s mostly open space.

“People walk into our office and go, ‘Wow, what a great environment,’ ” says Madden. “It’s the smiles on people’s faces; there’s a lot of interaction, and it’s not a suit-and-tie kind of place . . . we’re having fun.”

2. Western Pump

Company description: Petroleum and lubrication equipment company
Number of employees: 50
3235 F Street, San Diego 92102
619-239-9988; westernpump.com
Highlights: Matched 401(k) (up to 6 percent); annual bonus; educational financial assistance; company vehicles; gas cards; cell phone

Many employers describe their workplace as an extended family, but Western Pump takes the claim literally. Owners Dennis and Jan Rethmeier enlisted the help of their two sons to transform a fledgling company into a $9.3 million business. Their daughter later joined the crew to help manage operations. Strong family values imbue every aspect of the business.

“It all starts with the integrity of the owners and filters down throughout the company,” says Dennis. With only 5 percent employee turnover, the company keeps its employees engaged and stimulated by promoting continued education. Its educational-assistance program finances formal training so employees stay up-to-speed on industry practices and codes. Each employee is sent to technical, safety-training and equipment-certification classes.

In his three years with the company, Dan Ristic has taken advantage of the extensive training, advancing to a project management role. “They give me ample opportunity to grow both personally and professionally,” says Ristic.

“They take interest in me as a person and ask where I want to be in a year.”

Employees are involved in the decision- making process, meeting one-onone with managers on a regular basis to discuss goals and progress. “We continuously conduct employee-satisfaction surveys to measure and understand our employees’ morale, opinions and motivation,” says Evrim Erdag, market research analyst. Out-of-office socializing is another perk—picnics, baby showers, birthday and anniversary parties, baseball games, golf tournaments and more.

“The core of the company’s culture is the balance of work and personal lives—a balance between the seriousness of the company’s mission and the fun we promote in the workplace,” says Erdag.

3. Manpower of San Diego

Company description: Job placement and workforce solutions company
Number of employees: 95
1855 1st Avenue, San Diego 92101 619-237-9900; manpower-sd.com
Highlights: Paid time off; tuition reimbursement; discounted gym membership; Dieting for Dollars (annual contest with cash prizes for reaching fitness goals)

When Shana Diato unexpectedly lost her job six years ago, she took a receptionist position at Manpower’s San Diego office. What begin as a temporary solution evolved into a recruiting position and a fulfilling career path with unlimited potential. She’s the archetype of both the Manpower employee and client.

“One of the messages we give to employers is that they need to give people a chance to prove themselves,” says executive officer Phil Blair. “So that’s one of the things we practice ourselves . . . we let people spread their wings and fly.” Mother to a young son, Diato also points to the “family-oriented” nature of the company. “We know each other’s families; Phil and [co-executive officer] Mel [Katz] give birthday cards to our kids and understand that sometimes kids get sick, so they’re very accommodating bosses.” Flexible scheduling is another major job perk for parents.

Volunteerism is a major component of the Manpower culture, and the San Diego office, one of 1,100 Manpower locations worldwide, supports a variety of charitable organizations, from the Urban League to the Red Cross. Ranking at the top of our survey for diversity, the company also makes an effort to employ a spectrum of people who reflect the community it serves.

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