The developers of the games League of Legends and World of Warcraft are among the best employers in the USA.
For years, Fortune magazine has released a list of the “100 best companies to work for.” This list garners much attention, aimed primarily at the high achievers of tomorrow, the people every company seeks after. In 2016, Google regained the number 1 spot for the seventh time in 10 years.
Two major names in the gaming industry are also represented.
If Rioters do not feel well, they can stay home
Riot Games, the developers behind League of Legends, rank 39th. Last year they were at 13.
At Riot, there are some interesting concepts. Employees can leave within 60 days of being hired and receive up to 10% of their annual salary, up to a maximum of $25,000. This ensures that no one works there if they do not feel it is right for them.
Moreover, Rioters can set their own work pace. It is also okay for them to stay home if they do not feel well. The goal is to prevent burnout. The aim is to achieve a high pace that can be sustained over years and at which one feels comfortable.
Nearly 1900 employees work for Riot, 561 of whom are outside the USA.
The most common statements about the company are things like “It is fun to work here,” “I am proud to tell others where I work,” or “The people here care about each other.”
Call of Duty Day turns into a water battle
At the giant Activision Blizzard, there are over 7000 employees. This year they are ranked 77th on the list, last year they were at 96.
Activision Blizzard has franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft in its portfolio. On the day of the new Call of Duty release, all employees come together, dress in costumes, and participate in a company-wide water gun battle. One of the employees describes it as “The best day of my life… every year.”
At Activision, 17% of employees are women, and 31% belong to minorities. The majority of the minority consists of Asians (16.4%) and Hispanics (9.6%).
Many statements from employees here also revolve around being proud of what they do and who they work for. Additionally important: employees can be themselves in the company.
Both Riot and Activision have commented on their placements and acknowledged them with some pride. Both companies emphasize how important employees and a positive corporate culture are for their success.
For the ranking of the 100 best employers, Fortune evaluates employee surveys (which count for 2/3) and considers hard facts such as hiring methods, healthcare, internal communication, and similar factors.
Last year we already reported on the 2015 list:
