Aug. 24, 2023
Human Resources
Chesterfield County has once again been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2023.
The annual award list was created through an independent and anonymous survey of 70,000 U.S. employees working for companies with more than 500 employees and across all industry sectors. In this year’s update, Chesterfield County ranked 56th out of all employers in Virginia, more than 30 spots higher than its last ranking in 2021.
Chesterfield was the lone government services organization in the region to make this year’s list. The county was also not only one of just four local government entities in Virginia to make the list but also one of only three localities in the Commonwealth where both the local government and school division each made the rankings. View the complete results on the Forbes website.
The calculation of the direct and indirect score is based on over 2.1 million employer recommendations. The evaluation was made on a state-by-state basis and is based on three distinct criteria:
- In-State Indirect Recommendations: Participants were prompted to evaluate employers in their state that stand out either positively or negatively.
- National In-Industry Indirect Recommendations: Participants were also prompted to evaluate other employers (nationally) in their respective industries that stand out either positively or negatively.
- Direct Recommendations: Employees were asked to rate their willingness to recommend their own employers to friends and family. Additionally, employees were asked to give their opinions on a series of statements surrounding work-related topics.
“Receiving this recognition from Forbes magazine is extremely rewarding,” said Human Resources Director Mary Martin Selby. “Being ranked where we are is so meaningful because so much of this is driven by the feedback of our employees. It once again confirms that our culture and continued focus on recruitment, retention, and compensation is not only bringing the best to our organization but that our organization is proving to be the best fit for them. We will continue to find new ways to invest in not just finding, but also hiring and retaining the best employees so that we can continue to provide the kind of high-performing workforce that this community deserves.”
The survey considers every aspect of an employees’ experience such as working conditions, salary, potential for growth, and diversity. Of the thousands of companies eligible for this recognition, only a select few are awarded in each state.
“We are thrilled to be among just three localities in Virginia to have both our local government and school organizations included in these rankings,” said County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey. “Our employees have made clear over time how much they enjoy their experience working here and yet we have consistently made sure not to rest on our laurels. Instead, we have continued to invest in our combined workforce in a way that not only gives employees the experience they expect but also one that speaks to the level of customer service we know.”
“With over 4,000 dedicated employees, Chesterfield County is pleased to be recognized by Forbes as one of the best employers in Virginia,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Kevin P. Carroll (Matoaca District). “We are determined to continue earning our employees’ trust, respect, and satisfaction. Though the county falls within the public sector, we are proud of our longstanding reputation in the business community as a top workplace.”
The rankings are a partnership between Forbes, a global media, branding and technology company with a focus on news and information, and market research company Statista. More than 1,300 companies and organizations were listed across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.