Best Place to Work in … America

Our Best Places to Work in Indiana program has become incredibly popular through the years, and we’re honored so many companies apply and take part in the annual celebration and rankings announcement at the Indiana Roof Ballroom. But in case you’re wondering where the best place to work in America is located, Fortune magazine contends it resides in Cary, N.C.

The Great Place to Work Institute announced Thursday in Fortune magazine that a company known for its openness, SAS, is the No. 1 employer in the United States for the second year in a row.

“What we’ve learned is that, in the best companies—and we study them pretty extensively—their leaders are communicating directly, openly and honestly with their employees, particularly when they’re delivering tough messages,” said Great Place to Work Institute Vice President Erin Liberman Moran in an interview with Ragan Communications CEO Mark Ragan last October.

Karen Lee, senior manager of internal communications at SAS, says the No. 1 spot reaffirmed the role of communications in creating a stellar work environment:

"In an era of social media where communication is critical, transparency within internal communications at SAS reflects the trust our employees have in our leadership and in one another," says Lee, who was celebrating the selection with team members before dawn on Thursday.

SAS, a privately owned business analytics software firm based in Cary, N.C., has about 5,900 employees in the United States, 4,600 of whom work at the 550-acre corporate campus. In 2009, the company made $2.31 billion in revenue, according to the company’s website.

Among its many claims to fame, SAS boasts a 4 percent turnover rate; the industry average is around 22 percent.