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As the coronavirus pandemic appears to be abating and more and more people are vaccinated, workplaces are starting to return to normal.
Some already are back, some that embraced remote working are taking tentative steps to return either full time or to some new hybrid style.
Many of us cannot wait to get back to the office, while others love the freedom working from home offers. But no matter how you work, your employer makes all the difference in whether you relish your job or it’s drudgery.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who love their jobs and admire their employers, whose employers offer purpose, flexibility, collaboration, respect, challenge and, of course, rewards, Baltimore Sun Media wants to know about your workplace and what makes it so special.
The Sun is seeking nominations for the 11th edition of its annual Top Workplaces list.
[ Check out Baltimore's Top Workplaces from 2019 ]
For the past 10 years, The Sun has showcased the region’s Top Workplaces each December, based on surveys of their employees by our partner, Energage, which conducts Top Workplace surveys for dozens of news organizations across the country.
Last year, 125 companies were recognized as Top Workplaces in the Baltimore region, encompassing the city and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties.
Winners included Cummings & Co. Realtors in the large employers division, technology solutions provider Advance Business Systems in the midsize employer category and, among small employers, Resolute Technologies, an IT firm serving the U.S. Department of Defense,
The Evening Sun
Many other employers are perennial contenders, but new companies emerge every year.
And there’s real value in it. Research shows that being designated a Top Workplace helps those companies attract more highly qualified job applicants and retain employees longer.
[ Check out Baltimore's Top Workplaces from 2020 ]
Nominations are due by July 16, but don’t delay. Nominate your workplace today and see whether it has what it takes to make the list or even top it this year.
Anyone can suggest a company — employees, customers, executives. It doesn’t matter whether the workplace is privately owned or publicly held or even a nonprofit. Companies must employ at least 35 people to qualify.
Employees of nominated firms that choose to participate will be asked to respond to a short survey later this summer by Energage. The surveys will be used to rank the top companies. Winners will be announced at an event and featured in a special magazine in early December.
To nominate a company, go to baltimoresun.com/nominate or call 410-779-9337.
Christopher Dinsmore is The Baltimore Sun’s senior editor for business and health.