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20 Hartford Business Journal • March 28, 2016 www.HartfordBusiness.com 20 Hartford Business Journal • March 28, 2016 www.HartfordBusiness.com BEST PL ACES TO WORK IN CT 2016 #12 Kforce Inc. K force is a professional staffing services firm, providing flexible and direct-hire staffing pro- fessionals. It engages over 23,000 professionals annually with more than 4,000 customers. Employee Recognition: Top performers get an annual incentive trip for a one-week vacation filled with team and individual events. Fun & Relaxation: Each office has a full table of silly dress-up sunglasses, hats, wigs, etc., that are frequently worn in the workplace and have created a side product of photo walls of team members in these items. Also hosts tail- gate parties and inter-office bowling events. Community Service: Participates in annual Toys for Tots drive. Sounding Board: Hosts quarterly meetings com- bining team and individual events in addition to information review then a social event like paintball, bowling, etc. Being Green: Full recycling services are available in all office buildings with a focus on going paperless wherever possible. Training: Uses mentorship programs with internal sponsors to identify growth potential and targets within the organization. #14 Goodwin College G oodwin College is a nonprofit higher-education institution that provides career-focused degree programs. The school is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Employee Bonuses: Executive team is eligible for annual performance bonus, based on the college's overall performance. Employee Recognition: The faculty accomplish- ment wall: A faculty member is selected by their peers, and the display on the wall depicts a small sample of their great accomplishment. Fun & Relaxation: The day after commencement, Goodwin College sponsors an appreciation day at Lake Compounce for employees, alumni and family members. Healthy Living: Offers faculty and students a bike-share program for transportation between campus buildings. Sounding Board: Prior to each semester, all Goodwin employees join for a morning meet- ing where the president provides an update on important news and issues. Employee mile- stone events are announced and celebrated. New hires are introduced. Training: Employee development committee provides leadership mini-conferences and training throughout the year. #13 Bearingstar Insurance B earingstar Insurance is a local insurance agency with offices throughout Connecticut. Most Bearingstar employees have been with the agency for decades. Employee Recognition: Various departments have quarterly awards where recipients are nominated by peers. Employee Bonuses: Offers employee profit sharing based on overall company results with a bonus paid to employees either as cash or deferred to their 401(k) account. Fun & Relaxation: Hosts theme days: Hawaiian day as an example, where employees dress in beach attire, enjoy lunch and games. Community Service: Strong partnership with the Special Olympics in Connecticut and in Massachusetts through donations and volunteering. Healthy Living: Offers on-site corporate nurse who delivers wellness programs as well as personal health consultations. Sounding Board: Hosts an internal blog for all employees to discuss customer service experiences, employee appreciation/kudos and other news. Training: Annual career interest discussions to help employees understand their future goals and help create a plan for development. #15 ICON International Inc. I CON International is a specialized finance company focused exclusively on corporate- barter transactions to help companies restore value to underperforming assets, and to fund corporate expenses. Employee Bonuses: Offers annual merit-pay increases, depending on performance review. Fun & Relaxation: Hosts three company outings a year: Bowling in April; a summer party; and a holiday party. Community Service: ICON helps support the Stamford Boys & Girls Club through an annual golf tournament and providing kids free bikes. Sounding Board: Hosts team-building seminars. L ARGE COMPANY CATEGORY