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Published by SK Bukit Batu Limbang Sarawak, 2021-11-15 02:01:57

Newsweek USA 10.29.2021

Newsweek USA 10.29.2021

What’s Next for Afghan Refugees

10.29.2021

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8 NEWSWEEK.COM OCTOBER 29, 2021

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NEWSWEEK.COM

9

Periscope N E W S , O P I N I O N + A N A L Y S I S

NEW WORLD OCTOBER 29, 2021
Two girls who are among
the roughly 12,600 Afghan
evacuees staying temporarily
at the Fort McCoy U.S.
Army base in Fort McCoy,
Wisconsin, while being
processed for resettlement
in the United States.

10 N E W S W E E K . C O M

“I mean what I say when I say it, but to express
it publicly was not the right thing to do.” »P.15

AFGHANISTAN

The Long
Road Ahead

The war may be over, but for refugees from
the Taliban the battle has just begun

the last american troops have left Department spokesperson says, and will receive

Afghanistan. The news cameras have turned initial resettlement services through the Afghan

to other ssues around the world. But for the roughly Placement and Assistance (APA) Program.

38 million Afghans who remain, and the 130,000 or “We anticipate up to 65,000 Afghans will be as-

so who managed to leave, the war is far from over. sisted in coming to U.S. military bases this fall, in-

Omaid Sharifi is president of ArtLords, a grass- cluding many who have already arrived,” the State

roots art movement based in Afghanistan. He was Department said. “Up to 30,000 additional Afghans

evacuated with his family to Abu Dhabi, where he over the following 12 months may also be relocated

has spent the last month in a refugee and resettled to the United States.”

camp, awaiting resettlement to the While those individuals, currently

$)3ʔ*(7 7< 723 5,*+7 $57 675(,%(5ʔ1%&81,9(56$/ʔ*(7 7< United States. BY housed at U.S. military bases across
“From the life I’ve lived for 34 years,” the country, face a number of weeks

he says. “I could only get one T-shirt, a JALEN SMALL before their settlement in U.S. towns,

pair of trousers and my laptop. I lost @jalen__a for those abroad the expectations re-

everything else in this chaos.” AND main far more uncertain.

Unfortunately, Sharifi’s case is far ALEX J. ROUHANDEH Sharifi was in Kabul as the Taliban

from unique. “Refugees are people @AlexRouhandeh took the capital. “It was August 15. We

that have been forcibly uprooted were in the heart of Kabul city,” he

from their homes and have had to flee violence and says. “Around noon, we saw a lot of people panick-

persecution on a large scale, often with nothing— ing and running around, and that’s the moment we

none of their possessions,” Chris Boian, senior com- asked what was happening. They told us the Taliban

munications officer of the United Nations High was in the city.”

Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says. After trying for a week to find a way to evacu-

As of October 12, more than 11,000 Afghans have ate, he received help from Qatar’s embassy. “In the

been matched with resettlement agencies and affili- middle of the night, around 3 a.m., we were put on

ates to join communities across the country, a State a bus, and there was a Taliban car and a Qatar car

Photograph by B A R B A R A DAV I D SON NEWSWEEK.COM 11

Periscope

escorting us to the airport.” When his in 2021, down from 80,000 in 2010. systems guarantee that you can get & / 2 & . : , 6 ( ) 5 2 0 7 2 3 / ( ) 7 7 + 2 0 $ 6 .2 ( + / ( 5 ʔ * ( 7 7 < :$ . , / .2 + 6 $ 5 ʔ$ ) 3ʔ* ( 7 7 < % 8 / ( 1 7 . , / , & ʔ$ ) 3ʔ * ( 7 7 < 6 $ 6 & + $ 6 & + 8 ( 5 0 $ 1 1 ʔ * ( 7 7 <
family boarded the plane they were “The typical process for receiving appointed counsel if you cannot af-
not told where they were going. Once ford to hire someone yourself, which
they finally arrived in Abu Dhabi he refugees is that either the U.S. Em- does not exist in immigration or ref-
was filled with a sense of relief. bassy or the United Nations will ugee law.”
identify people in need of resettle-
As other Afghan refugees await ment,” Beth Broadway, president of Women are particularly disadvan-
word on the next steps in their jour- Interfaith Works of Central New York, taged in their attempts to seek asylum
ney, many feel that they have left the says. “They’ll be deemed people who in the U.S. “The refugee definition
hell of Taliban rule only to enter the are unable to return to their country doesn’t include gender as a protected
limbo of an overwhelmed American and are eligible to be resettled some- ground for Refugee Protection,” Bar-
bureaucracy. “It has been a month place else, at which point they start nard says. “What that means is that
now,” Sharifi says. “We came here processing their case.” women, girls or others who are flee-
with the promise that the Americans ing gender-based violence or persecu-
are going to take care of us. I hope Many Western nations limit the tion, have to prove their refugee case
this promise is going to be commit- number of refugees that can be by curating the prosecution to one of
ted to. We hope to arrive in the Unit- accepted each year. In the U.S, this
ed States and resettle.” number has recently risen to 62,500, OCTOBER 29, 2021
which is considerably less per-capita
Sharifi and his family are among than the limits established by U.S. al-
the very few fortunate refugees—not lies. In addition to the lengthy pro-
just those from Afghanistan, but cessing times and hard quotas, other
worldwide. “It’s important that people barriers include high costs, unreli-
understand that most refugees in the able access to transportation, insuf-
world are never resettled anywhere,” ficient proof of identity and lack of
Boian says. “Less than one half of 1 language skills.
percent of refugees around the world
are ever resettled to any other country. “It’s all done in English,” Robyn
It’s a solution that is available only to Barnard, senior advocacy counsel for
a very, very tiny fraction of refugees.” refugee protection for Human Rights
First, says. “The vast majority of asy-
As instances of political and civil lum speakers don’t speak English as
unrest have grown in the last decade, a first language, so that can be really
millions find themselves living in fear complicated.” And that’s just for the
and under threat of violence or perse- basic application. “You also have to
cution as they await asylum process- provide a lot of evidence to prove
ing. “The rising number of refugees is your case,” Barnard says. “And if you
a tragic effect of the seeming inability think about the conditions that some
or lack of will of governments and of people flee...for example, the Afghan
humanity to choose peace over con- refugees who are being evacuated
flict,” Boian says. were told to get to the airport and
only allowed one small piece of hand
The problem is exacerbated by an luggage.” In such chaotic conditions,
asylum process that is typically long critical documents of identification
and arduous. For example, during the are often forgotten, lost, confiscated,
Trump administration, hundreds of stolen or destroyed.
small changes were made to U.S. pol-
icy on asylum and refugee resettle- Many legal obstacles are also in
ment. Definitions of “asylum” were al- place, including the denial of access
tered to exclude specific protections to legal counsel. “There is no guaran-
and refugee admissions were slashed tee for legal counsel for anyone who’s
to an all-time low. The U.S. commit- gone through this process to seek
ted to resettle only 15,000 refugees asylum,” Barnard says. “Some legal

12 N E W S W E E K . C O M

HOMELESS Clockwise from far left:
Afghans at a U.S. Army base in Ramstein,
*HUPDQ\ 2PDLG 6KDULɿ D GLVSODFHG
SHUVRQV FDPS LQ .DEXO DQG NLGV DW D 8 6
$UP\ EDVH LQ .DLVHUVODXWHUQ *HUPDQ\

the other protected refugee grounds.” Boian says. “One is returning to your average time now for being refugees
Obstacles like these limit or pre- own country when it’s safe, two is in- is approaching 20 years on average,
tegrating into the society where you worldwide,” Boian says. “So it’s not
vent many people who are in need found safety and the third is resettle- always something that can happen
from receiving the full protections ment.” The wait can last decades. “The in a matter of weeks or even months.”
guaranteed to them by the UNHCR
1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 “AttttWohhamkeibseeepepcrcrcariaocoomrmammeneioismshsfeaeeiuttrritshesee.aggwdItoohittiitoohnnhp.egg”eto When Sharifi finally does make it
Protocol. Without these protections, to the U.S., like those who came be-
millions of people will have to re- fore him, he will receive a one-time
main where they are and continue to payment of $1,250 to start his life
live under the persistent fear of per- in America. From there on, he and
secution or death. his family will be solely responsible
for finding shelter, food and a stable
Even for those refugees to manage source of income.
to achieve some sort of protected
status, the road forward is daunting. “It is frightening to come to a new
“There are three scenarios,” the U.N.’s country, coming with a background
of trauma after you’ve lost every-
thing,” says Amarra Ghani, founder
of Welcome Home Charlotte. “Com-
ing to a country with nothing, where
you don’t speak the language and you
don’t really know anyone is scary.”
Inspired by the Pakistani heritage of
its founders, the nonprofit primari-
ly serves families from Afghanistan,
Syria and Myanmar. It began as an
operation working out of a garage in
Charlotte, North Carolina, created to
try to help refugee families adjust to
life in a new city in a new country. The
volunteer-based organization now
operates a food bank, teaches English
language classes and provides other
support services.

Ghani emphasizes her organiza-
tion is nonsectarian. “We’re not a
Muslim organization,” she says, “but
all of our refugee families are Mus-
lim.” Ghani says her religious faith
inspires her work. “As a person who
understands the story, who knows
the history and has a lot of love for
the Prophet,” she says “I can see that
our own Prophet was a refugee.”

NEWSWEEK.COM 13

Periscope AFGHANISTAN

As its name indicates, Interfaith families to ask questions. federal government’s support in
Works is also a faith-based organi- The task is even more complicat- our county.”
zation, though it is comprised of
representatives of multiple faiths. ed for recent refugees from Afghan- The role of the local community is
“We draw upon a large base of differ- istan who have not yet begun the critical in the resettlement process,
ent faith traditions,” Broadway says. formal asylum process. “The biggest according to the U.N.’s Boian. “Sup-
“Whether it’s a Muslim mosque or a challenge is finding the support for port for integration into their new
Jewish temple, whether it’s Catholic, them that is typically provided for communities is extremely vital,’’ he
Protestant or Buddhist, they’re all to- refugees,” Broadway tells Newsweek. says. “Resettlement works best, in the
gether at a roundtable of faith leaders, “People coming from Afghanistan long term, when the people that have
to get to know each other and work will not have those benefits. And been resettled have that kind of sup-
together on humanitarian issues.” it’s impossible to do that for a large port right away from the beginning,
number of people without the just to help them get on their feet and
The organization is currently learn how things are done.”
coordinating with state and feder- “yytwaChoonieotuuyhmolddannooninoennggti’’uhstttairsosngepcageaea,lcaralwyoynk.uhkd”nenrtoerwy
al officials to resettle 248 Afghan Ghani of Welcome Home Char-
refugees to central New York. It is lotte says that citizens of countries
a complex process that involves faced with an influx of refugees
meeting families at the airport, pro- need to understand the causes of the
viding them with housing and food, migration in order for the process
assigning a case manager, helping to work. “If Western countries have
them apply for public benefits and infiltrated a country, and because of
remaining present as a resource for their infiltration refugees have been
created, then you cannot tell them
they are not welcome to the same %$5%$5$ '$9 ,'621ʔ$)3ʔ*(7 7<
country that infiltrated them,” she
says. “If we don’t want refugees, let’s
stop creating refugees.”

Sharifi experienced that reality
firsthand.

“We made our fair share of mistakes,
but the international community also
had their fair share of mistakes in Af-
ghanistan,” he says. “There’s lots of
blame to go around. I take my share
of the blame, and I hope the global
community does the same.”

Despite the hardship, Sharifi re-
mains deeply committed to his coun-
try and his people.

“I feel hopeless. I’m exhausted. My
heart is broken a thousand times,” he
tells Newsweek. “But at the same time
I’m not giving up. I am trying to make
sure that we use our voice and become
the voice for the 38 million Afghans
silenced under the Taliban.”

NOT A HOME Afghan refugees are
living for the time in barracks at the U.S.
Army base in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.

14 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

NEWSMAKERS

Talking Points

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—SUPERMAN ACTOR DEAN CAIN Keyshawn Johnson
ON DC COMICS MAKING
“We not only came
THE NEW SUPERMAN BISEXUAL close to a full

“A FA M I L I A R PAT T E R N constitutional crisis,
THAT WE’VE SEEN I think we’re still in it.”

OF PUTTING POLITICS —hillary clinton
AHEAD OF HEALTH.”

—white house press secretary
jen psaki on texas governor
greg abbott’s order
banning vaccine mandates

Jen Psaki

“It’s because of “I MEAN WHAT I SAY
[my father] that I WHEN I SAY IT. BUT
met my first Black
person. Want to TO EXPRESS IT
take a stab in the PUBLICLY WAS NOT THE
dark at who it was?” RIGHT THING TO DO.”

—kim kardashian —Dwayne Johnson on criticising
Fast & Furious co-star Vin Diesel

Chris Hadfield

NEWSWEEK.COM 15

Periscope

MODERN WORK

Navigating Your
Career in an
Upside-Down World

Work life in turmoil? Here are some ways to
rethink—and remake—your career

for almost every profes- Dweck, who pioneered the concept

sional, life turned upside down of “growth mindset” (change is pos-

during the pandemic. Whether you sible!) as compared to “fixed mindset”

experienced job loss or a sudden shift (I am who I am, and that’s it). Accord-

to work-from-home, you likely had to ing to Pollak, a growth mindset is key.

deal with radically changed circum- It “starts from the belief that really

stances. Many of those changes persist anything is possible if you put in the

to this day. For career expert Lindsey work,” she says.

Pollak, whose keynote speaking busi- Recalculating doesn’t
ness suddenly evaporated, “it was ter- mean restarting
rifying and frustrating.” In response,

she sought clarity by When you’re facing

creating a roadmap for career change, it’s

herself and others in the B Y important to remem-
form of a new book titled ber that you’re never

Recalculating (Harper DORIE CLARK starting from scratch.
Business), a guide for “When your GPS says
@dorieclark

navigating your career ‘recalculating,’ it never

during times of great change. sends you back to your driveway to

In a recent conversation on my start over completely,” Pollak says.

weekly Newsweek interview show “It always takes you from where you times when motivation runs low.
Pollak, for instance, has iden-
Better (Thursdays 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. are. You have built skills and knowl-
tified certain friends she reaches
PT), I asked Pollak to reflect on her edge and experiences in whatever job out to when she’s feeling bored or
unmotivated, and—depending on
key learnings. (She also wrote a piece you’ve done.” Take a self-assessment the circumstance—they either push
her to get the task done or encour-
for Newsweek about how recent grad- or enlist a coach or your alma mater’s age her to take a self-care break.
And then get the task done. In high
uates can adapt to the COVID-19 era career services office to help you dis- school and college, Pollak also used
a technique she calls “sandwiching,”
of work.) Here are a few pieces of cover the strengths and skills you in which she’d call her mom for
encouragement and support both
advice she offers for anyone feeling already possess that will serve you in before and immediately after com-
pleting a tough task. “That made the
stalled, or at a crossroads. your next chapter.
OCTOBER 29, 2021
Start with a growth mindset Keep yourself accountable GETTY

Before we change course profession- Figuring out what’s next takes
ally, we need to believe that change persistence—and patience. Pollak
can actually happen. Pollak cites the recommends keeping a few account-
work of Stanford psychologist Carol ability partners on speed dial for the

16 N E W S W E E K . C O M

‘Hey, Dorie, really enjoyed your
show,’ or ‘Hey, great to meet you at
the career fair. We’re an alum of the
same school.’ In other words: show
that you’re not just writing ‘Dear
occupant’.”

thing a little less scary and bother- brand ambassador, remains a huge You can ‘recalculate’
some,” she recalls. fan of the service as a way of keeping your current job
in touch. Instead of just sending a
Remember your relationships blank connection request, she says, Even if you’re unhappy or unfulfilled
“Always customize your outreach in your present role at your company,
If you’re looking for a new job or request to people. Just a sentence, that doesn’t necessarily mean you
new career opportunity, there’s a need to leave. Employers—keenly
good chance you’ll find it through a “‘yosrWoeevcuneharrdeldcscnoruyyimlovoaeuptuwiblrneaaGgtyce,P’ktliySott.”nossetaavyrestr aware that many employees are con-
personal connection. I’m a longtime sidering moving on—may be amena-
believer in the power of networking, ble to a conversation about shifting
and Pollak agrees: “I think the best your role. As Pollak says, “share your
piece of advice I’ve ever gotten in my ideas and your suggestions and your
whole life was, ‘No matter what, keep desire to maybe change directions or
building your contacts, keep your become an intrapreneur in your com-
relationships.’” pany.” The key, though, is to ensure
that your company doesn’t view your
Pro tip: Pollak, a former LinkedIn request as a threat or ultimatum.

“You have to almost over-emphasize
that you are delightfully happy in your
current position and very happy to
keep it and continue contributing, and
you have some ideas of what you might
want to do next,” she says. “The trick is
to never act like you’re out of there if
this doesn’t happen, or you only want
to make this change and you’re not
really into your job anymore.”

Bottom line: Unforeseen cir-
cumstances can cause career road-
blocks—and we may need to reinvent
ourselves. But that doesn’t mean
we’ve lost our way. Sometimes recal-
culating helps us discover there was
a better route all along.

Ơ Dorie Clark, author of entrepre-
neurial you and Duke University
Fuqua School of Business professor,
hosts newsweek’s weekly interview
series, better, on Thursdays at 12
p.m. ET/9 a.m, PT at newsweek.com/
linkedinlive. Sign up for updates at
dorieclark.com.

Photo-illustration by C .J. BU RT ON NEWSWEEK.COM 17

CompaniesThatYouWouldSellYourSoultoWorkFor

our first annual list of BUSINESSES THAT DO RIGHT by their employees

NEWSWEEK.COM

Illustrations by BR IT T SPENCER

elcome to newsweek’s first most pany the place people want to dedicate themselves to.” LOVING WORK
Loved Workplaces rankings. The collection of 100 To make the cut, companies on the list had to Having positive feelings
small, medium and large companies on the pag- about your employer
es that follow come at a crucial time for employ- meet certain criteria (read about our methodology leads to a more
ees and their bosses alike. COVID-19 has turned in the box at right). For instance: Is collaboration successful company;
the work world upside down—and the relation- and teamwork important—or does the company Sweetgreen (below)
ship between employees and their employers has follow The Hunger Games management model? Are and Deckers employees
never been more fraught. According to the U.S. there opportunities for advancement or do jobs just (upper right) in action.
Department of Labor, 11.5 million workers quit dead-end? Is the company a good citizen or does it
their jobs in the second quarter alone. (Are you just pretend to be a do-gooder? Some of our compa-
keeping your employees happy? You'd better be.) nies, of course, have slipped up in the past (and some,
for sure, will slip up in the future). But how they over-
There are other lists out there that rank good came the pitfalls is what mattered to us at the end of
companies, to be sure. But we believe our rankings, the day—an indication of the strength of leadership
produced in partnership with the Best Practice Insti- and determination to do the right thing.
tute, are different and dig deeper. We’re doing more
than just counting how many benefits employers Our Most Loved Workplaces reflect our criteria
provide—a solid 401(k) plan, medical benefits, paid in a number of ways. Some examples:
time off and so on. Those things are, of course, im-
portant. But what we’re measuring, critically, is how Footwear maker Crocs, No. 20 on our list, has al-
employees feel about their organizations. There’s a ways been big on public service, and its employees
big difference, after all, between workers getting a expect it to deliver on that. Case in point: Early in
kick out of free Doritos and whether they truly love the pandemic, Crocs gave away some $40 million
and feel in sync with the company they work for. worth of its iconic foam clogs to nurses and other
frontline COVID workers. No. 18, Sweetgreen, a ca-
“A Most Loved Workplace is focused squarely on sual restaurant chain, rewards employees for being
the degree to which employees have a positive feeling good citizens by, among other things, giving them
about their employer,” says Louis Carter, CEO of the three hours to vote and five paid hours to volunteer.
Best Practice Institute, a leadership development cen-
ter and think tank that developed the research under- the reality is that offering
pinning the rankings in collaboration with the Uni- LOTS OF PERKS doesn’t necessarily
versity of Pittsburgh. In other words: “high emotional make your company the place people
connection or love for”  their place of employment. want to dedicate themselves to.

Why is this important? Because that “emotional
connection” is directly relatable to the success of a
company. Carter, and the BPI team, including head
of research Scott Baxt, have over the years studied
more than 3,500 managers, leaders and employees in
a wide range of industries and company sizes. Their
findings: Employees are as much as four times more
likely to be extra productive if they love the compa-
ny they work for. Also, not surprisingly, those same
workers tend to stay put, cutting down on turnover.

The two crucial factors behind this kind of loyalty?
Respect from their bosses, for one thing. It is also im-
portant, from the workforce’s point of view, that their
company lives “the values and ethics it espouses,” says
Baxt. Adds Carter, author of the book In Great Com-
pany: How to Spark Peak Performance by Creating an
Emotionally Connected Workplace: “The reality is that of-
fering lots of perks doesn’t necessarily make your com-

20 N E W S W E E K . C O M

6:((7*5((1 '(&.(56Patagonia, of course, is the role model for the NewsweekŠV UDQNLQJ RI WKH veyed, at companies ranging in
practice-what-you-preach crowd. Recently, our No. Most Loved Workplaces 2021 size from less than 50 employ-
How We Did It30-ranked company pulled merchandise out of thepays tribute to companies thatHHV WR PRUH WKDQ DGGL-
Jackson Hole Mountain Resort—Patagonia’s biggest put respect, caring and appreci- tionally several hundred compa-
customer in the ultra-ritzy ski community. Why? One ation for their employees at the Q\ RIɿFLDOV ZHUH LQWHUYLHZHG 7R
of the resort’s owners hosted a politically radical right- center of their business model identify the top 100 companies
wing event featuring GOP Representative Marjorie Tay- and, in doing so, have earned for the Newsweek ranking,
lor Greene of Georgia. (“We join with the local com- the loyalty and respect of the companies were evaluated and
munity that is using its voice in protest,” a Patagonia people who work for them. scored as follows: 35 percent
spokeswoman told the political publication, The Hill.) of the initial score was based
The list was created in part- RQ HPSOR\HH VXUYH\ UHVSRQVHV
Doing well by doing good is a great thing, but nership with the Best Practice 25 percent was derived from
career-building, collaboration and transparency Institute (BPI), a leadership de- analysis of external public ratings
matter too at our top 100 companies. velopment center and think tank. from sites such as Comparably,
BPI has conducted extensive Careerbliss, Glassdoor, Indeed
Apparel-maker Deckers, ranked No. 6, constantly UHVHDUFK WR LGHQWLI\ WKH VSHFLɿF DQG *RRJOH DQG SHUFHQW
encourages employees to submit ideas, some of which management practices that lead came from direct interviews
may result in a direct investment by the company. to employee motivation and with and written responses from
Deckers employees, up and down the corporate food satisfaction and to document FRPSDQ\ RIɿFLDOV Newsweek
chain, can join teams that pitch those ideas directly to the strong link between worker then conducted additional
top execs including the CEO. Box, an internet cloud satisfaction and productivity and research into every company
services firm (No. 21) is big on employee career-skill performance. Based on that re- on the list, as well as the top
building. Three times a year, the company holds what VHDUFK %3, PHDVXUHG ɿYH EDVLF runners up, to determine the
it calls “LearnFest” professional development programs. areas, via surveys, to determine ɿQDO OLVW RI FRPSDQLHV DQG
how employees feel about where their ranking. (The list includes
Are you in a career rut? Employees at LivePerson they work to create the 2021 ERWK 8 6 ɿUPV DQG FRPSDQLHV
(No. 46), a computer software company, can switch Most Loved Workplaces list: the with a strong U.S. presence
to different teams if they think their jobs are going OHYHO RI FROODERUDWLRQ DW WKH ɿUP that are based overseas.)
nowhere. A we’re-all-in-this-together vibe? Spotify, how positive workers are about
our top company this year, gets its executives to an- WKHLU IXWXUH DW WKH FRPSDQ\ KRZ The rankings combine quan-
swer emails from employees up and down the food much employer values align with titative and qualitative analysis
chain. It also constantly shares its mission and val- HPSOR\HH YDOXHV UHVSHFW DW DOO that was developed by BPI in
ues and asks workers for input. partnership with The School of
OHYHOV DQG FDUHHU DFKLHYHPHQW International and Public Affairs
Diversity is a big deal at many of these companies Working in consultation with at the University of Pittsburgh
as well, which is important to customers as well as Newsweek editors, BPI also gave and featured in the book In Great
employees, says Carter. No. 73 Denny’s, the restau- consideration to the company’s Company (McGraw-Hill, 2019)
rant chain, says around 55 percent of its restaurants response to the COVID-19 by BPI and Most Loved Work-
are owned by minorities and 40 percent of its board pandemic, including its re- places founder Louis Carter.
of directors are women, 56 percent minorities. WXUQ WR RIɿFH UXOHV ZRUNSODFH
7R ɿQG RXW PRUH DERXW
We believe you’ll find our 2021 Most Loved Work- GLYHUVLW\ HTXLW\ DQG LQFOXVLRQ
places list of great value—no matter what position as well as its compensation and EHFRPLQJ D FHUWLɿHG 0RVW
you hold. If you just want to know where your com- EHQHɿWV SROLFLHV DQG SUDFWLFHV Loved Workplace or to apply
pany stands, this list is for you. If you’re interested for next year’s list, go to
in finding a company where your career and val- All together, more than www.mostlovedworkplace.com.
ues are aligned, this list is for you. Or if you’re an 800,000 employees were sur-
executive who wants to do a better job and create
a happier and more productive workforce, these
rankings will work for you as well. Dig in.

Ơ 0RVW /RYHG :RUNSODFHV® is a registered
trademark of the Best Practice Institute, Inc.,
of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

NEWSWEEK.COM 21

SCHOOL'S IN OCTOBER 29, 2021
One FedEx program
covers costs for workers
WR VWDUW RU ɿQLVK
WKHLU FROOHJH HGXFDWLRQ

22 N E W S W E E K . C O M

The Mini Lists BY INDUSTRY internet

FEDEX apparel 1 Spotify (1)
2 Fanduel Group (9)
1 Deckers (6) 3 Box (21)
2 Crocs (20)
3 Patagonia (30) pharma & biotech

computer software 1 Horizon Therapeutics (38)
2 EQrx (39)
1 SAP America (3) 3 Eversana (54)
2 Cadence (7)
3 Automation Anywhere (41) restaurants

consumer goods 1 Sweetgreen (18)
2 Chipotle (52)
1 Hasbro (8) 3 Denny’s (73)
2 Mattel (24)
3 Autonomous (57) retail

entertainment 1 Home Depot (44)
2 Southeastern Grocers (48)
1 ViacomCBS (29) 3 Custom Ink (82)
2 A&E Networks (40)
3 IMAX (51) BY SIZE

financial services under 1,000 employees

1 Navy Federal 1 O2E Brands (17)
Credit Union (5) 2 DigitalOcean (28)
3 Click Funnels (37)
2 First Command 4 EQrx (39)
Financial Services (19) 5 IMAX (51)

3 Moody’s (62) 1,000 to 10,000 employees

health care 1 Spotify (1)
2 Deckers (6)
1 ChenMed (36) 3 Cadence (7)
2 Fresenius Medical 4 Hasbro (8)
5 Fanduel Group (9)
Care (42)
3 Nomad Health (72) 10,000+ employees

hospitality 1 Dell (2)
2 SAP America (3)
1 Wyndham Hotels 3 Wyndham Hotels
& Resorts (4)
& Resorts (4)
2 Hilton Grand 4 Navy Federal
Vacations (12)
Credit Union (5)
3 Great Wolf Lodge (47) 5 Capgemini (10)

tech/services

1 Dell (2)
2 Capgemini (10)
3 IBM (15)

( x ) Ơ Overall ranking within the Top 100 list

VIEW THE LIST ONLINE AT 1(:6:((. &20ʔ0/:ʝ

THE TOP 100

1 Spotify 5 Navy Federal Credit Union
music financial services

stockholm-nyc 9,032 vienna, va 13,003

Big on discussing company mission Employees who want to learn new
and values via its Passion Tour, which jobs are trained and given assign-
builds loyalty. Benefits like six months ments to assist them in moving their
of paid parental leave doesn’t hurt, careers in the right direction. Bonus-
either! (See the profile on page 36.) es and paid volunteer leave are a plus.

2 Dell 6 Deckers 8 Hasbro
tech/services apparel & fashion consumer goods

round rock, tx 158,000 goleta, ca 3,500 pawtucket, ri 5,800

Great opportunities for growth within Bubbling up: Employees are encour- Looking to get ahead? There are lots
the company, which provides formal aged to submit ideas that may result of opportunities to work across dis-
mentoring, networking and individu- in direct investment from the top. ciplines to break down the typical
alized development programs. Stretch Teams made up from workers at all silos. Bonuses, too, for things like
assignments? Yup, got those, too. levels make their pitches to the exec- making company values come to life.
utive team, which includes the CEO.
3 SAP America 9 FanDuel
computer software 7 Cadence gaming
newtown square, pa 102,430 computer software
san jose, ca 8,100 new york city 1,293
A self-described “culture of kind-
ness.” The CEO, for instance, Diversity seems to be a big deal Though a relatively young com-
responds to every employee that here. For example, there’s a formal pany, succession planning is
reaches out. Pandemic mental mentorship program for new col- a big deal. There is consistent
health day will remain in place— lege graduates that has a big focus feedback and promotion from
plus 10 extras in case of a crisis. on women and employees of color. within to fill open positions.

4 10 Capgemini ) 5 2 0 / ( ) 7 : < 1 ' + $ 0 + 2 7 ( / 6 5 ( 6 2 5 7 6 + $ 6 % 5 2 - $ 6 2 1 . ( ( 1 ʔ & 5 2 & 6
consulting

new york city 140,000

Wyndham Training is a big deal, including
Hotels & Resorts employee-created academies in
technical skill areas. An open-
hospitality door policy is really open: Any-
parsippany, nj 23,000 one can book an appointment
with the chief executive.
Workers have open access
to the CEO as well as 11 Microchip Technologies
electronics manufacturer
the executive committee.
There’s also personal chandler, az 18,000

development, feedback Company culture is centered on em-
from customers and regular ployee teamwork. Microchip Learn-
ing Center provides ongoing profes-
recognition programs. sional growth support and learning
and development opportunities.

24 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

12 Hilton Grand Vacations 16 Bunge 18 Sweetgreen
hospitality food production food/beverages

orlando, fl 6,700 chesterfield, mo 24,000 culver city, ca 1,255

Employee recognition awards Lots of employee autonomy is Virtual happy hours with the
often come along with significant one of the company’s calling company founders, leaders and
monetary compensation. Longevity cards. And its open workspaces even outside guests, like academics,
is also rewarded: If you have been break down barriers and help help develop collaboration and
an employee for 10 years, you get with collaboration. Bunge likes to craft a solution-driven culture.
the Friends and Family discount. call it a “borderless atmosphere.”
19 First Command
13 Harsco 17 O2E Brands Financial Services
environmental services consumer services financial services
camp hill, pa 10,500 vancouver, bc 232 fort worth, tx 2,000

A majority of workers have been The benefits? How about five weeks Family is the thing here, as is the focus
in the essential category amid of annual vacation? And you’re on the financial wellness of veterans.
the pandemic. But workers with required to take at least two of If you’re an employee, your family, at
possible exposure haven’t been those weeks at the same time! Daily company expense, goes to the annual
forced to come to work. They company huddles celebrate wins. adviser conference. Hawaii, anyone?
still got paid, the company said.

14 %RVWRQ 6FLHQWLɿF 20 CROCS
medical devices
marlborough, ma 36,000 apparel & fashion; broomfield, co 3,803

Leadership development is a Public service is a big, big deal at Crocs. During the pandemic,
big deal, as is racial and cultural the company gave away some $40 million worth of products
awareness. There is mandatory to nurses and other frontline workers battling COVID-19.
unconscious-bias training, as
well as regular Real Talk listening
sessions. CEO Spirit Awards, too.

15 IBM
tech/services

armonk, ny 345,900

Believe it or not, there’s regular
input encouraged from Big Blue’s
employees—and outsiders. The
company’s 72-hour Innovation
Jam, for example, often results in
new businesses being launched.

VIEW THE LIST ONLINE AT 1(:6:((. &20ʔ0/:ʝ

26 Brown Foreman
wine & spirits

louisville, ky 4,800

Real life is important at Brown
Foreman. The company offers,
for example, free counseling
sessions for mental health is-
sues like anxiety, as well as help
related to elder care issues.

27 HP
tech/services

palo alto, ca 53,000

Box Another company where work-life
balance is a thing. There’s a Family,
internet; redwood city, ca 2,046 Friends and Fun Friday program,
as well as global dance parties and
Employees are encouraged to develop career cooking classes run by employees.
skills during the three-times-a-year Learn Fest
28 DigitalOcean
21program. Awards, too, for going above and beyond. internet
Plus: company-wide days off for mental health. new york city 581
22 Verizon 24 Mattel
telecommunications consumer goods Sammy Awards recognize
new york city 135,300 el segundo, ca 24,000 employees who go above and
beyond. Comprehensive per-
Learning is big at Verizon: The toy legend has a history of formance management looks
A portal includes things like promoting health and wellness— backward and forward to grow
leadership skills and anti-bi- and supporting playgrounds, day individuals, not just employees.
as training. The company also care, community centers and
offers tuition assistance. Stock hospitals (including its namesake 29 ViacomCBS
grants? They got ’em too. UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital). entertainment
new york city 23,990
23 GitLab 25 Zebra Technologies
tech/services tech/services At every town hall meeting, em-
san francisco, ca 1,300 lincolnshire, il 8,200 ployees have 20 minutes to lob
unfiltered questions at the CEO.
Benefits like college tuition reim-
bursement also keep workers happy.

#IamRemarkable program salutes Opportunity equals loyalty here. %2; .</( 63$5.6ʔ3$7$*21,$
and respects individual identity. The Zebra Network (ZEN) helps
Career advancement plans, employees develop skills, on their
reimbursement for co-work- own time, that will, Zebra hopes,
ing spaces and pay equality lead to the advancement of their
programs all help, too. careers within the company.

26 N E W S W E E K . C O M

PATAGONIA

apparel & fashion; ventura, ca 2,287

Where else is political protest actually encouraged—
and even a paid benefit? Let’s say you are

30arrested at a peaceful demonstration: The company
will cover the bail for you and your spouse.

OCTOBER 29, 2021 9,(: 7+( /,67 21/,1( $7 1(:6:((. &20ʔ0/:ʝ

31 Avanade 34 Allegiant Travel
consulting airline

seattle, wa 39,000 las vegas, nv 4,363

A techie’s dream, including An upward-mobility friendly 36 ChenMed
global hackathons, innovation airline. Workers can actually health care
challenges and coding competi- move from job to job to find
tions. Plus, “geek allowances” are the right fit. The company also miami, fl 1,397
given to employees to ensure makes it easy to build connec-
they’re up on the latest tech. tions with other employees. Peer-to-peer recognition is a big
deal here. In the past year alone,
32 Cerner 35 Altair there have been 20,000 employee
health information services tech/services tips of the hat via everything from
kansas city, mo 26,400 troy, mi 3,030 town halls to just plain old emails.
Annual ChenMed Awards, too.
Among other things, Cerner is big The CEO has some lofty diversity
on the benefits. How about an on- goals. For example: The compa- 37 ClickFunnels
site health clinic with counselors ny aspires to have a workforce computer software
and nutritionists? There are also of 50 percent female employ-
in-office personal trainers and even ees—and that includes the C-suite boise, id 453
an expecting-mother concierge. and the board of directors.

Early on in the pandemic, this
remote-work software company
got rid of all co-pays for mental
health counselors. Side hus-
tles are encouraged, as well.

38 Horizon Therapeutics
pharmaceuticals

chicago 1,200

Top-down in action: The CEO asks
employees how they’re doing and
gets 1,200 emails in return. And
you know what? He responds to
all of them. Stock to all employees
when they arrive, and annually.

33 FedEx 39 EQRX )('(; 6&277 52.,6ʔ+20( '(327
package & freight delivery; dallas 183,000 biotechnology
cambridge, ma 141
Taking care of employees—and business: The LIFE (Learning
Inspired by FedEx) program at the University of Memphis covers The biotech company is big on play-
DOO WKH FRVWV IRU ZRUNHUV WR VWDUW RU ɿQLVK D FROOHJH GHJUHH ful things like “superpower” skills.
When you get started, for instance,
you’re asked to take a quiz to deter-
mine your greatest strength. Super-
hero academies are a thing, too.

28 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

40 A+E Networks 44
entertainment HOME
new york city 2,382 DEPOT
retail
Great place for LGBTQ+ employ- atlanta 415,700
ees. Just have a look at the fertility
benefits offered: They are available Employees, thanks
to all genders and sexual orienta- to former CEO Frank
tions. Also, employees of all levels Blake, who revived the
have a say in problem-solving. company, have bought
into the vision of a
41 Automation Anywhere retailer that has close
robotics ties to the community
san jose, ca 3,927 it serves. Workers
“bleed orange.”
Culture driven by curiosity, and
forgiveness! The CEO, who has 45 Twitter 48 Southeastern Grocers
a glass-door office, believes it is internet supermarkets
OK to be bold, take risks, try new san francisco 6,827 jacksonville, fl 13,563
things and make mistakes, as
long as you learn from them. Uses decision-making framework There’s a “Shark Tank” space
called DACI (driver, approv- for associates to deliver busi-
42 Fresnius Medical Care er, contributor and informed). ness solutions and new product
hospital & health care CEO Jack Dorsey provides his ideas. In addition, a My Culture
waltham, ma 124,000 360-degree feedback report to box in each store is a place for
all employees in the company. instant feedback to executives.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
(DEI) is an emphasis for everyone 46 LivePerson 49 EPAM Systems
at this health care company, which computer software software engineering
focuses on kidney disease. The new york city 1,341 newtown, pa 36,400
firm’s first DEI leader wasn’t hired
but nominated by the employees. Employees aren’t stuck in static Even spanking-new hires can
jobs and careers. They’re allowed speak directly to the CEO.
43 U.S. Steel Corp to move to different teams with The organizational structure
manufacturing different roles. Ideas flow. There’s allows for decisions to be made
pittsburgh 24,488 no fear of others taking your in minutes. Slide decks? Nah.
job—or stealing your ideas.
This old-school steel company 50 Blackberry
recognizes employee trends that 47 Great Wolf Resorts computer software
value the environment—and a hospitality waterloo, ontario 3,497
green economy. Executives are madison, wi 6,000
committed, they said, to being Remember the old handheld
net carbon neutral by 2050. Employees are called Pack Mem- phone and email device?
bers, of course. The no-office, We barely do. The new software
open-cube culture builds that mission has brought employees
“one-pack mentality” spirit. There and executives together like
are Pack Members of the Month, never before. Big teamwork place.
and Year, too. Ahh-wooooooo!

9,(: 7+( /,67 21/,1( $7 1(:6:((. &20ʔ0/:ʝ

51IMAX % ( 1 5 $ + 1 ʔ , 0 $ ; : ( 6 7 2 1 & 2 /7 2 1 ʔ 9 , 9 , 1 7
entertainment; los angeles 673

Unique opportunities and the freedom to partner with creatives
in the entertainment industry. Good benefits, too, including
unlimited sick time and a monthly lifestyle allowance.

30 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

56 Boxed 58 Flex
consumer goods electrical manufacturing

new york city 350 san jose, ca 160,000

52 All mangers come up through the The company motto says it all: “Do
ranks—95 percent of leaders are the right thing always—no matter
Chipotle promoted from within the orga- what.” The workplace communi-
restaurants nization. In other words: You can ty is strong, and there are lots of
newport beach, ca 83,000 learn the ropes from the ground up. opportunities for personal growth.

Looking for upward mobility? This 57 Autonomous 59 Greif
restaurant chain helps employees consumer goods packaging & containers
climb up the corporate ladder
quickly by offering additional train- new york city 170 delaware, oh 20,000
ing to anyone who raises their hand.
Failure is not something to be The Greif Way? Respect, candor
53 Jacobs feared here. It is seen as an oppor- and trust. All meetings start with
civil engineering tunity to learn, improve and even personal check-ins. Speaking
dallas 48,000 grow. Company ideas to live by? of meetings: Zoom gatherings
Practice what you preach—and reduced from one hour to 45
Culture and people issues are push yourself to new limits. minutes. Thank goodness.
staples of every board of directors
meeting. The company trained Vivintconsumer electronics; provo, ut 5,750
1,900 “mental health champi-
ons,” who serve as an “ear that an The company gives employees time to work on
employee can go to confidentially.” personal projects and receive feedback from

54 Eversana 60SHRSOH LQ WKH ɿHOG ,WŠV DOVR D IXQ SODFH (PSOR\HHV
pharmaceuticals JHW WR JR WR FRQFHUWV DQG DPXVHPHQW SDUNV
milwaukee 4,000

Performance management is not just
focused on results. Peers get to assess
peers. A culture that leans toward
support instead of competition.
Paternity leave for new pets? Yes!

55 Southern Glazer’s
Wine & Spirits
wine & spirits
miami 12,294

Employees get to grow and train
here via things like Southern
Glazer’s Wine & Spirits University
(SGWSU). Another plus: Its Em-
powHer program focuses on things
like financial skills for women.

61 Bitwise 64 Triplemint 66 Ducommun
tech/services real estate aviation & aerospace
santa ana, ca 2,450
schaumburg, il 320 new york city 261
All together now: Employees
Big on social responsibility. Backed All-hands meetings end with a designed a motor for the Mars
by $27 million in funding, the brainstorm to solve a big challenge. Rover. Benefits? Bonus plans and
company provides tech training for Focus on developing employees scholarship programs for chil-
underserved community members so they can eventually take on dren—and even grandchildren.
via a full-time apprenticeship pro- larger roles. Founders gave up
gram, which ends in a job at Bitwise. salaries in 2020 to avoid layoffs. 67 Nielsen
media research
62 Moody’s 65 Arvest Bank new york city 46,000
financial services financial services
Promotes internally and encourages
new york city 5,076 bentonville, ak 4,127 employees to search for profession-
al growth opportunities within
The 100-year-old bond-rating com- All employees take part in the company. Wellness is a big deal
pany features rock-solid benefits data gathering designed to here via the Smart Work program.
for its multigenerational workforce implement customer-centric
that range from parental leave changes and improvements. 68 Madison Reed
to phased-retirement programs. Arvest is mostly owned by the cosmetics
Respect for all, in other words. Walton (Walmart) family. san francisco 185

63 Welcome to the club: The chief execu- FROM LEFT: WINDSTREAM; POSTMAN; INCYTE
Windstream tive meets all new employees and top
telecommunications prospects. Early on, pandemic friendly,
little rock, ak; 11,945 too: “Nobody…right now should worry
about a paycheck” was the message.
“Employees are show-
cased in real-life case 69 TVA
studies to demonstrate electric & utilities
how collaboration and knoxville, tn 10,000
innovation actually works
DW WKH WHOHFRP ɿUP &DWFK Generous and flexible tuition
this: Big company prob- reimbursement program at this
lems are tossed out for historic utility company, which
DQ\ HPSOR\HH WR VROYH Ť was established during the Great
Depression. All employees can get
32 N E W S W E E K . C O M degrees in any discipline they wish.

70 Freedom Mortgage
financial services
mount laurel, nj 5,699

If town halls and video and email
communication with the CEO is
your thing, Freedom Mortgage
delivers. Rookies find its First
Flyer training program useful
for industry introductions.

OCTOBER 29, 2021

74 Eaton 78 Autodesk
electrical manufacturing software

beachwood, oh 91,987 san rafael, ca 11,500

71 Postman Community focused and socially Its three-month Culture Sprints pro-
computer software aware. One big benefit: Employees get vide intense coaching sessions that
paid time to volunteer in their neigh- are designed to build leadership
san francisco 562 borhoods. Making money is the thing, skills. It’s all part of the company’s
of course, but it is not the only thing. Culture Code. Big-time mentorship
program and equity awards, too.
75 Kellogg’s
food/beverage 79 S&P Global
battle creek, mi 31,000 financial information
new york city 22,500
The company is not just about
being a trusted brand. The cereal Coaching is available to all employees
legend has established a volunteer for professional and personal develop-
culture. Employees collectively put ment. This has led to a highly tenured
in some 17,000 hours of work to workforce. Big stat: Seven percent of
serve people around the world. workers who have left have returned.

Employees know what’s going on 76 Essence Global 80 Cozen O’Connor
at this software concern. Slack advertising law practice
channels are full of comments
from internal sources and cus- new york city 1,900 philadelphia 775
tomers. Problems? Employees
are always reasoning things out. Employees get to tackle business chal- All C-levels go on listening tours with
lenges together in a six-month pro- employees at all levels; they discuss
gram. Worker groups are used as shad- business development, financials
ow boards to consider ideas and solve and strategy. There’s even a formal
problems for the company and clients. no jerks rule. This is a law firm? Yes!

72 Nomad Health 77
hospital & health care INCYTE
pharmaceuticals
new york city 190
wilmington, de 1,456
Another company that did the
right thing during the early This pharma company
times of COVID-19. For exam- RIIHUV EHQHɿWV OLNH
ple: Amid the quarantines and SHUFHQW KHDOWK
illnesses, frontline workers got
full pay—no questions asked. insurance coverage for
HPSOR\HHV SHUFHQW
73 Denny’s
restaurants IRU GHSHQGHQWV DQG
VLQFH SDUHQWDO
spartanburg, sc 3,100 OHDYH IRU DOO VLWXDWLRQV

The company says, “Career paths
for the long-tenured are not based
on college credentials, but how
you performed in the restaurant.”
In other words: When talent is
identified, talent is promoted.

81 88 Instacart
80 Acres Farms retail
farming
hamilton, oh 775 san francisco 10,000

The company co- Employees get bonuses for their
founders, Mike Zelkind insights and for coming up with beta
tests for new customer features. If
(right) and Tisha you are looking for hierarchies, this is
Livingston, created Mike not a place for you. No silos allowed.

Minutes and Tish Talk 89 CohnReznick
programs so employees accounting

could learn the ropes new york city 2,800
directly from the top.
Executives spend a good bit of
82 Custom Ink 85 Everise time developing coursework and
retail outsourcing & offshoring on-the-job learning experiences
for its employees. How else to
fairfax, va 1,500 austin, tx 3,000 cultivate industry expertise? No
meetings on summer Focus Fridays.

To keep things interesting, and Looking for quarterly bonuses? 90 Modere
personal growth going, the This Austin outsourcing com- retail
company gives employees two- pany has got them. Hoping to
to-three month rotations in move up in the corporate food springville, ut 632
different parts of the business. chain? Some 80 percent of the
Helps with collaboration, too. positions are filled internally. Value driven: The MVP (Modere Values

People) program has employees

nominating peers for going the extra

mile. Each quarter two employ-

90 ees get an MVP award—and cash.

83 ASML 86 Hines
semiconductors real estate

wilton, ct 24,749 houston 4,785

A different kind of performance The company is family owned,
assessment is offered here: It’s which often can be a problem
not what you got done, but how for employees. But this real
you got it done. The Experi- estate firm says employees have
ence Center opens the door to a a big role in decision making.
higher vision of the company.
87 Palo Alto Networks
84 DailyPay computer &
financial services network security
new york city 350 santa clara, ca 9,038

Silicon Valley with a Zoom twist: vir- What has this computer company
tual morning coffees, virtual book got for its employees? Flex ben-
clubs, virtual movie nights and efits? Yes. Diversity programs?
virtual lunches. Nice benefit: sti- Yes again. One-to-one coaching
pends to take advantage of learning and mentoring? Yup. Listening
opportunities outside the company. circles? You get them as well.

34 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

91 95 Canon USA, Inc. 98 Level Ex
VUZIX business equipment computer games
consumer electronics
rochester, ny 90 melville, ny 13,413 chicago 54

Employees are excited The corporate philosophy, kyosei, Any idea goes here. The com-
about their growing is the thing here: It essentially pany, for instance, hosts Game
augmented-reality means “living and working togeth- Jams, which are 48-hour com-
er for the common good.” And petitions. Employees break into
company in north-cen- that signifies collaboration and teams and come out with fully
tral New York. It’s easy communication are big deals. functional games from scratch.

to see why: There’s a 96 Kaplan 99 Strava
patent incentive pro- education management app for runners & cyclists
gram and stock options.
fort lauderdale, fl 10,004 san francisco 289
92 BI Worldwide
FROM LEFT: 80 ACRES FARMS; MODERE; VUZIX marketing & advertising Culture Labs let employees shape Strava is big on family and
edina, mn; 1,691 the company culture in small personal health: Vacation by the
group discussion sessions. An end of the year is a must, plus
Edina is a great place to live. It’s Equality and Inclusion Personal two hours a day for hikes.
also a great place work. BI is a great Day allows employees to celebrate No meetings on Fridays, too.
place to work, too. A Summer of a day of importance to them.
Love program includes relaxed 100 Pendo
dress codes, half-day Fridays and 97 At Home Group computer software
frequent concerts on the office lawn. retail raleigh, nc 675
plano, tx 6,289
93 Avalara Free professional counseling for em-
computer software The company has an employee ployees looking to move up or im-
seattle 3,351 foundation through which its workers prove their current lot in corporate
can receive financial assistance; life. Other perks include: open paid
There’s an employee reward pro- At Home employees contribute time-off policy; help with a paid
gram, and colleagues are the nom- to the fund. Monthly group CEO parking spot; and in-office beer on
inators. But enough of that. The lunches and stock grants, too. tap. In other words: Shangri-La!
best thing? Every location of this
Seattle-based software company
has, yes, a tiki bar.

94 Ryan Specialty Group
insurance
chicago 2,088

Employees at this Chicago insur-
ance firm are encouraged to run
amok with a good idea. The compa-
ny says you will never hear “it’s not
my job” spoken around the office.
Mentorship is a constant thing.

VIEW THE LIST ONLINE AT 1(:6:((. &20ʔ0/:ʝ

The CultMeet Spotify canSToORuYrTAnGumber one company maintain its employee-friendly

SPOTIFY

36 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

ture Clubworkplace through the pandemic and a growth boom? we think so byPeterCarbonara

SINGAPORE ROCKS Music, not surprisingly, is a unifying force among employees in the Spotify culture. 37
NEWSWEEK.COM

ow do you make it to the top of as perks—some of which, though required by law LEADING MEN
our list of Most Loved Workplaces? It’s simple, but in Sweden, are almost unheard of elsewhere. Like, Right, from top: Spotify
not easy: Build a company culture that actually for instance, six months of paid leave for all new CEO/co-founder Daniel
puts people first. In the case of this year’s winner, parents, including men. Ek and co-founder Martin
international music streaming behemoth Spotify, Lorentzon. Below: A
one key to doing that is starting with Swedish parts. There’s more. Much more. 6SRWLI\ RIɿFH LQ %HUOLQ
This February the company adopted a “work from
The company has offices all over the world and anywhere” policy under which employees are en-
the largest is in New York City, but its headquarters couraged to live wherever they choose and connect
and roots are in Stockholm. As it has grown, Spotify digitally. This November, Spotify is giving all its em-
has kept big characteristically Swedish things like ployees the first week of the month off to recharge
a relatively flat management structure, a “no pri- somewhat from the stresses of the pandemic, with all
ma donnas” employee policy, a corporate culture work—emails, Zoom meetings, phone calls—actively
that emphasizes teamwork and openness as well discouraged. (Spotify will still be available to listeners,

.5,6=7,$1 %2&6,ʔ%/220%(5*ʔ*(7 7< 5,*+7 '5(: $1*(5(5ʔ*(7 7< 6327,)<

38 N E W S W E E K . C O M OCTOBER 29, 2021

with four or five Spotifiers over coffee as part of the

interview process.

He confesses to having been a little skeptical at

first about what he heard about collaboration and

access to senior executives up to, and including, the

founders. “It’s not like Amazon where managers are

expected to fire their bottom 10 percent...the level

of transparency blew me away,” he says. “You hear

about it but then you’re surprised to see it.”

Winer adds: “With a lot of perks at other tech

companies there’s this sense that they’re treating

you nicely so you’ll work hard, to keep you in the

office. Here it’s because they genuinely care about

you as a human being: ‘We’re Swedish! We believe

these things! Our culture is we all go to the beach

for a month in the summer and shut everything

down because Sweden is dark and terrible for nine

months out of the year so we must all enjoy it and

that’s well-being and that’s important to us.’’’

Founded in 2006 in Stockholm by Daniel Ek

and Martin Lorentzon, Spotify reshuffled the

music business, replacing sharing operations like

Napster with legal licensing and eventually mak-

ing mobile phones the device most people use to

find and listen to music. Some big stars like Taylor

Swift complained—and many still do—about the

royalty rates Spotify offers. But after pulling her

music off the service, Swift and the

“with a lot of perks at other company eventually came to terms.
Spotify is very much in growth

tech companies there’s this sense that and investment mode. About 365
they’re treating you nicely so you’ll million active users listen each
work hard, to keep you in the office. month; 165 million are paying pre-
mium subscribers, the rest listen to

here it’s because they GENUINELY CARE.” Spotify’s roughly 70 million track,
2.9 million podcast library free with

ads. The company now has about

of course, and employees who need to work to keep 7,000 employees in 79 offices around the world.

the network running will get the following week off.) Recently it has made a big push into podcasting,

Then there are little things, like “fika.” Although signing the likes of controversial comic and com-

the word corresponds roughly to “coffee break” in mentator Joe Rogan as well as Barack Obama and

American English, in Sweden fika is part of the na- Bruce Springsteen. While it has yet to report a

tional character, a daily reminder of commitment to profit, the publicly-traded company is valued at

work/life balance. Adam Winer, an American Spoti- about $46 billion. (Revenues in 2020: $9.1 billion.)

fy senior director for content strategy, analytics and For all that growth, however, according to Ching-

insights says, in Sweden, “you hear “oh, it’s fika time. Wei Chen, a senior machine learning engineer,

Let’s get out the cinnamon rolls and the coffee and “Spotify is the biggest company I’ve worked for and

whatever. “ Winer says he now uses fika as a hiring it feels like the smallest. In terms of red tape and

tool, having a promising candidate hang informally hierarchy, it feels like a small company.”

NEWSWEEK.COM 39

Playing in the Band -21$7+$1 1$&.675$1'ʔ$)3ʔ*(77< 6327,)< &5(',7 -21$7+$1 1$&.675$1'ʔ$)3ʔ*(77< &5(',7 -21$7+$1 1$&.675$1'ʔ$)3ʔ*(77< %5,77$ 3('(56(1ʔ*(77< .(9,1 0$=85ʔ*(77< 6327,)< & )/$1,*$1ʔ*(77< 6327,)< 1

maintaining the vibe of a people-centric 4
Swedish operation has been a challenge as Spotify
has become an international employer and cultural “the last thing i want from everyone on my
force. Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s chief of R&D says, over these past
“It’s hard and it probably should be if you want to be
a great company.”

Stockholm-based chief human resources officer
Katarina Berg says the company has become some-
what “less Swedish” as it goes through an extended pe-
riod of “hypergrowth,” something she expects to go on
for at least another four or five years. “We’re bringing
close to 150 warm bodies into the organization every
month,” she says. In that atmosphere of constant “con-
trolled chaos,” she adds, cultural change is inevitable:
“We have founders who understand culture evolves.”

The traditionally Swedish way of doing things,
for example, can involve a slow process of consul-
tation and discussion across a company to reach
consensus before any big move. At Spotify, Berg
says, things are moving much too quickly for that
and, in a company of more than 7,000 widely dis-
persed people that is rapidly adding products and
making acquisitions, there’s never going to be total
agreement on anything.” She says, “We don’t have
time for politics.” The tradition, though, of talking
things through publicly, of making both informa-
tion and senior executives available to employees,
hasn’t changed. The goal now, however, is “consent,
not consensus.”

R&D chief Söderström says, “I always say ‘Talk is
cheap’—so let’s do a lot of it.” Far cheaper, he says,
than either talent or code. “Collaboration is some-
times slower,” he says, “You need a lot more conversa-
tions with bigger groups...more people need to know
the whole context.” The working paradox, Spotify
executives say, is that while discussion and collabo-
ration can take more time at first, the employee con-
fidence it generates ultimately allows Spotify teams
to act faster, out of a shared sense of purpose. As Berg
says, “When trust goes up, speed goes up.”

Söderström adds, “You can’t win. There’s no ‘right’

SPANNING THE GLOBE 7
1 World headquarters in Stockholm. 2 Katarina
Berg, HR czar. 3 Spotify’s cafeteria in Sweden. OCTOBER 29, 2021
4 Workers at play. 5 Berlin employees. 6 Former Spotify
foe Taylor Swift does her thing. 7 R&D chief Gustav
Söderström. 8 White Denim perform for Spotify
staff in San Francisco. 9 Spotify’s Singapore digs.

40 N E W S W E E K . C O M

23

56

team is that THEY WORK SO HARD
six months that they quit and i don’t have them for the next six years.”

89

NEWSWEEK.COM 41

organization,’’ but says the decentralized, collab- refine its core values and also to try to keep employ-

orative model works much better for Spotify than ees connected socially. What will be the long-term

the internal team competition favored at Amazon effect of the shift brought on by the pandemic?

or the narrow focusing of all efforts on support- Content strategist Adam Winer, who joined the

ing a small core of products as at Apple. He says company in New York City but now lives in Min-

it also fits Spotify’s strategic goal of expanding nesota, says his team of about 40 people spread

beyond its original role as a distribution channel around the country and physically kept apart by

for professional musicians and established labels, the pandemic has now gotten big enough that he’s

to being what he calls a “platform,” where music had to be more proactive about simply “checking

and audio of all kinds are made by people of all in on them as human beings.” He says he misses all

kinds and where creators and listeners are free to the daily interactions that used to happen in the

interact and even swap roles. The aim, he says, is office. Still, he says, he doesn’t think the pandemic

an enormous “loop of creation and

listening.” Building that, he says, is “for a lot of people [music] reaches
an ambitious and exciting strate-

gic and engineering challenge: “We to their core. when you come together
want to get a billion people getting with other people who SHARE THAT PASSION,
enjoyment from this...and that’s a you like working with those people
really big problem.”

Although Spotify has made a move because you share that connection.”
into both big name podcasts and in

offering customers tools to make

their own, music remains at the core of the brand.

That has a lot to do with both the company’s cul-

ture and the type of people it attracts as employees.

Spotify culture abounds with references to “the

band,” meaning the company itself. Think: the hap-

py Beatles of A Hard Day’s Night as opposed to the &+,3 6202'(9,//$ʔ*(7 7< 9,9,$1 =,1.ʔ*(7 7< 5,*+7 0,&+$(/ 1$*/(ʔ%/2 20%(5*ʔ*(7 7<

bickering Fab Four of Let it Be. HR chief Berg says

the band concept, while useful, shouldn’t be taken

too literally. “We haven’t found our Yoko Ono,” she

jokes, adding, “More it is the idea of active coopera-

tion, of everybody contributing something distinct

but necessary to the whole.”

A love of music seems to be a core Spotify per-

sonality trait. Machine learning engineer Chen says,

“For a lot of people [music] reaches to their core and

is a part of who they are and when you come to-

gether with other people who share that passion...

you like working with those people because you

share that connection. “

The Secret Sauce?

the pandemic has hit spotify hard just as it
has everyone else, forcing employees out of the
office and canceling most of the daily personal
interactions that can make work life both more
productive and enjoyable. Spotify has embarked on
a number of online efforts both to reinforce and

42 N E W S W E E K . C O M

POD KING has led to any fundamental change in Spotify cul- and I don’t have them for the next six years.”
Clockwise from left: ture. As for working from anywhere, he says, “We Machine learning engineer Chen, who also start-
Podcast star Joe Rogan; were so international already that it was surpris-
the team of Obama ing how undisruptive it was.” ed off in Spotify’s New York City office but now
and Springsteen; and lives and works in Asheville, North Carolina, agrees
6SRWLI\ŠV ɿUVW GD\ RI He also says that stress of the pandemic has, that company culture has not changed much over
trading on the New York if anything, reinforced the company’s employ- the last two years. “I’ve been pleasantly surprised
Stock Exchange in 2018. ee well-being first ethos. “Managers are almost how much that cohesiveness has held over into the
tripping over themselves to respect work/life bal- post COVID-19 world. You never know. Back then
ance,” he explains. One personal example, he says, we had really nice offices, a really nice coffee ma-
is reassuring colleagues that if he sends them an chine, is that what’s keeping people together? But
email at an odd hour, it is only because he likes to we have kept it through the pandemic.”
work when his young children are asleep and not
because he expects an answer early in the morn- The main reason is simple. “It’s not some se-
ing or over the weekend. He says, “The last thing I cret Spotify sauce. It’s not only at Spotify you have
want from everyone on my team is that they work nice people,” he says, “but I would say this is the
so hard over these past six months that they quit nicest bunch of people that I’ve worked with in
my career.”

OCTOBER 29, 2021 NEWSWEEK.COM 43

Culture H I G H , L O W + E V E R Y T H I N G I N B E T W E E N % ( $7 5 , & ( 3 5 ( 9 ( ʔ* ( 7 7 < 72 3 5 , * + 7 7 , 0 3 : + , 7 %<ʔ* ( 7 7 <

UNCHARTED

Sacred Ground

“A cemetery so beautiful, it invites one to die,” said the caretaker of Tulcán, Ecuador’s cemetery,
before he was buried beneath the toucan topiaries he had sculpted. While ostensibly for
the dead, burial rituals can also tell rich stories of a culture’s living. From epitaph roasts in

Romania, to cliff-hanging coffins in the Philippines, to a graveyard movie theater in Hollywood,
here are some of the burial sites that are as fascinating as their tenants. —Meghan Gunn

OCTOBER 29, 2021

SHARON D CLARKE MAKES HER BROADWAY DEBUT
“Change has to be less talk and more action.” » P.48

Mount of Olives

JERUSALEM

Named for the olive groves that
used to grow here, this is the

burial location of many prominent
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Schatz, the founder of the Bezalel

School of Art. The site draws
visitors from all religions who can
experience panoramic views of the

2OG &LW\ WKH 7HPSOH 0RXQW DQG
the Judean Desert from its top.

(See #8, following spread)

NEWSWEEK.COM 45

Culture

02 06
Merry Cemetery
Neptune Memorial Reef
6Ä3„1ģA, ROMANIA
OFF THE COAST OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA
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Hollywood Forever
4 04
LOS ANGELES Tulcán Cemetery

Notable residents here TULCÁN, ECUADOR
include actors Judy Garland
DQG ,URQ (\HV &RG\ VLOHQW ɿOP While working as the
heartthrob Rudolph Valentino graveyard’s caretaker, José
María Azael Franco Guerrero
DQG ɿJXUH VNDWHU 0DEHO began planting hundreds of
)DLUEDQNV EXW WKLV LV QRW \RXU cypress trees. He then pruned
DYHUDJH FHPHWHU\ ,W GRXEOHV them into huge topiaries of
Incan symbols, mythical birds
as a lively event space that and other animals. When
KRVWV FRQFHUWV DQG VXPPHU he passed, he was buried in
the shadows of his art, his
PRYLH VFUHHQLQJV ,WŠV DOVR tombstone inscribed with a
KRPH WR URDPLQJ ʀDPLQJRV quote from him: “a cemetery so
beautiful, it invites one to die.”
ZKR EDVN LQ WKH VXQ QHDU
RYHU WKH WRS UHʀHFWLYH OCTOBER 29, 2021
SRROV EHFDXVH / $
5
03
Janitzio Cemetery

LAKE PÁTZCUARO, MEXICO

During Day of the Dead, family
members embark on a candlelit
boat procession across the lake to
visit loved ones’ tombs. They stay
overnight, decorating altars with
yellow marigolds, holding vigils,
performing traditional dances and
drinking mezcal. The cemetery
bell tolls throughout the festivities,
calling the souls to their graves.

46 N E W S W E E K . C O M

6 07 10
7 City of the Dead
+DQJLQJ &RIɿQV RI 6DJDGD
8 DARGAVS, RUSSIA
9 ECHO VALLEY, PHILIPPINES
According to local lore, no one
returns alive from this remote In this craggy region, painted
QHFURSROLV LQ VRXWKHUQ 5XVVLD SLQH FRIɿQV KDQJ IURP WKH
where burials date back to the cliff faces. The Igorot people
16th century. It’s believed that of Sagada carve their own
during plagues infected people caskets, then stack them
quarantined in the above-ground high on the mountains. The
crypts, waiting for death. Several practice protects the bodies
bodies are interred inside wooden IURP DQLPDOV DQG ʀRRGLQJ
structures that look like boats, and locals believe it also helps
which some historians attribute their spirits have an easier
to a belief that one had to cross time reaching the afterlife.
a river to get to the afterlife.

08
Mount of Olives

JERUSALEM

(See previous spread)

10

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Whalers Bay Cemetery Wadi-al-Salam Cemetery Waverley Cemetery

DECEPTION ISLAND, ANTARCTICA NAJAF, IRAQ CLIFFS AT BRONTE, AUSTRALIA

In one of the world’s harshest terrains are 2YHU ɿYH PLOOLRQ SHRSOH DUH EXULHG This cemetery in the Sydney suburbs
the remnants of an abandoned whaling in the sandy ground here, and doubles as a refuge for local wildlife.
millions more of the living go on Overlooking the Tasman Sea,
station—including a burial site for whalers pilgrimage to the site—whose name kookaburras perch on gravestones,
who died on the job and a memorial WUDQVODWHV DV ţ9DOOH\ RI 3HDFHŤŜ while foxes and reptiles burrow
every year. It is thought to be the ZLWKLQ UXLQV (DFK GHWDLO LV ZURXJKW
for those lost at sea. Deception Island is largest cemetery in the world and ZLWK V\PEROLVP DW ɿUVW JODQFH WKH
also home to an active volcano, and contains the remains of ancient broken columns look like signs of
an eruption in 1969 covered most of imams and prophets—including the wear. In reality, they were purposely
ɿUVW 6KLŠLWH LPDP $OL LEQ $EL 7DOLE broken to signify ended life.
WKH JUDYHV KRZHYHU D IHZ VPDOO FURVVHV UHODWLYH RI WKH 3URSKHW 0RKDPPDG
survived to denote those lost here.

NEWSWEEK.COM 47

Culture

PARTING SHOT

Sharon D Clarke

imagine you’re about to make your broadway debut in a highly How does it feel to be making
anticipated, groundbreaking musical, only to have it all put on hold your Broadway debut at this point
because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s exactly what happened to Sharon in your career?
D Clarke, a veteran of London’s West End, who at 56 is finally able to claim her To be making my debut with this
space in musical history with her award-winning turn as Caroline Thibodeaux in show, in particular, is such a
the revival of Caroline or Change (runs until January 9). “The show will always blessing. It’s a show that is timely and
be relevant because we’re holding up a mirror and saying: Where are we now? important, especially after the last
How far have we come? We’re still telling the same story.” Set in 1963 Louisi- year with COVID and the Black Lives
ana, the story revolves around a Black domestic worker for a Jewish family Matter movement. It’s a story we
struggling with a changing world. “It’s all about how change has to be less talk need to be talking about.
and more action.” The singular uniqueness of the character Caroline isn’t lost
on Clarke. “To have someone like her, where the story pivots around her, her How do you think the show speaks
emotions, her depth of character, her strength, that’s unusual.” She hopes the to our current moment?
impact of her character leads to change. “She’s a joy to play because you’re hon- The show always remains timely
oring these women who never get recognition in entertainment in that way.” because we haven’t moved on. We’re
still having these conversations. We
bech“mhloIectacwos’hsnorsafegmaatnelaarlegclhaw.ketbaHieaaosoo’nnvnutwddoe.t” have had the murder of George Floyd

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it never stopped.

How is the role of Caroline unique
compared to others on Broadway?
How many times is a Black woman the
leader of a show? It doesn’t happen.
Women’s stories are not usually heard
in the best light anyway, but a strong
woman standing up and speaking
her truth is not something that we
see often. And a Black woman in a
subservient position? You never get to
hear her story.

What was it like to have your 1 , & . + $ 5 9 ( <ʔ* ( 7 7 <
Broadway debut delayed?
It sucked. But you know, my mom
would say, “Everything in its time.” I
think it’s been good for everyone
doing the show, because people have
had time to live with the show. I think
it means we’ve all been able to come
back even stronger. —H. Alan Scott

48 V i s it Ne w s w e e k .c om f o r t h e f u l l int e r v i e w


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