When it comes to facilitating a truly enjoyable and productive workplace, it takes more than just the promise of perks and ping pong. Employees want their workplaces to reflect what they value and expect out of the company they work for: trustworthiness, morality, and the opportunity to grow both in their role and as an individual.

For companies, this means more than checking off boxes, it means having a people-first mindset and a clear set of values that are deeply encoded in the culture. To quantify satisfaction at work, Great Places To Work surveyed more than 220,000 employees from technology companies across the United States. We are excited to announce that WP Engine has been awarded the #8 Best Place to Work in Technology in the Small & Medium Workplaces category for 2019! For more information on this achievement, check us out in Fortune Magazine!

WP Engine employees celebrate at the company biannual All Hands event.

To determine the winners, Great Places To Work analyzed each companies’ performance across 60 strategically designed survey questions distributed to employees. The questions were designed to access whether the company embodies a culture of innovation and inclusion. 85 percent of the Great Place to Work evaluation is based on employees’  experiences regarding trust and the ability to reach their full human potential as part of their organization, no matter who they are or what they do.

Other considerations include an assessment of employees’ daily experiences with innovation, the company’s values, and the effectiveness of their leaders, to ensure they’re gaining consistent experience.

“I have experienced tremendous career growth opportunities in my time here. Leadership is supportive of new ideas and trusting of individuals’ abilities, and it’s great being surrounded by so many top-notch professionals who are also empathetic.” – Jason Cross, Lead Designer

Every quarter, employees are nominated by their peers for exemplifying the WP Engine core values.

“I’m a recent transplant to Austin and moved here to take on a role at WP Engine, not knowing anyone in the city or company. Moving to a new city and taking a new job – without friends and family around – was an exciting, but of course, scary adventure. My first week at WP Engine, I was instantly welcomed by all 600+ employees. Sounds dramatic, but true: from the welcome posts on a company Facebook at Workplace to a cookie “meet-n-eat” tour throughout the office, I was genuinely welcomed. I felt comfortable enough (and engaged enough) after only a week to volunteer for a leadership role with Sheroes, a women empowerment ERG focused on Diversity and Inclusion. Over time, I have realized that my initial introduction wasn’t a first week “show” for new hires, but it’s truly the way WP Engine operates. The WP Engine family is much appreciated from this out-of-towner and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have landed at this amazing company!” -Meschelle Stringer, Technical Program Manager

A WP Engine team participated in Dam that Cancer in which they paddle boarded 21 miles up Lake Austin to raise money for the Flatwater Foundation.

“I remember the rush of emotions I felt when I first joined WP Engine almost four years ago. It’s easy to remember because I still feel it every day. I am still blown away by the amazing culture, the endless amount of support, and the career development opportunities. I never knew companies like this existed, and it truly is where the best get better.” -Dana Kleen, Sr. Manager, Sales