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It would be a surprise to no one to hear that some companies are better than others. While some companies’ workers have allegedly found themselves having to urinate into bottles so as not to lower their productivity, other companies’ employees have access to wonderful perks that make their work life, if not a pleasure, at least not a soul-sucking part of their existence.

Some companies are obviously only in it for the money – their #1 goal is to make their stockholders happy and their upper management rich. And if that means their CEO median worker pay ratio is 9,416:1, so be it, regardless of who or what gets put at a disadvantage in the process. Other businesses just go above and beyond to honor their employees, uplift their communities and make the world a better place.

For the past six years, People Magazine has partnered with Great Places To Work to come up with the top 100 companies that do good. This year, the criteria for the 7th annual 100 Companies That Care list entries were reducing the carbon footprints of their operations, investing employees’ mental health, and giving back to those in need, among others.

The list includes many well-known companies. Lots of health, insurance, online and financial companies were on the list. Only 4 of those Top 100 companies were travel companies. All 4 were well-known hotel chains.

#36 of 100: Hilton

Hilton — A leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 18 world-class brands comprising 7,000 properties and nearly 1.1 million rooms in 122 countries and territories — partners with organizations that equip people of all backgrounds with skills that prepare them for the future and contribute to opportunities for career growth.

Recently, Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation have partnered with organizations such as Springboard and Aurora Foxes, teaching hospitality skills to disadvantaged youth and young people with disabilities. And HGF made progress on new social impact goals by awarding a three-year grant to Clean the World to launch a Mobile Hygiene Unit (MHU), which will provide shower services to the unhoused of Orange County, Fla. Not only have communities with these services seen a 15 percent decrease in homelessness, but individuals experiencing homelessness who use supportive services are more likely to participate in job training programs and attend school. Since April 1, 2022, the MHU has provided 441 showers, 607 Hygiene Kits and 109 articles of clothing in Orange County.

“Now more than ever,” says Hilton president and CEO Chris Nassetta, “it’s our responsibility to preserve the destinations we call home and create truly inclusive growth in our communities.”

Here’s what employees are saying:

Hilton has the most welcoming and caring culture I have ever experienced. My direct manager and the leadership seem to really care about me as a person – they don’t just check-in on my work, but ask about things happening in my life. I feel psychologically safe coming to work and in taking calculated risks. I am extremely proud to work for Hilton and genuinely hope to have a bright career here.

#38 of 100: Marriott International

With its size and scale, global hospitality leader Marriott knows it has both a responsibility and a unique opportunity to be a force for good. It’s in this spirit that Marriott continues to build on its longstanding partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to help empower and support refugees.

Through the IRC’s Hospitality Link program, Marriott has provided skills-development training, life skills instruction and English language classes to resettled refugees, while introducing them to careers in the hospitality industry. Marriott also aims to provide employment opportunities to Hospitality Link graduates and other clients from the IRC network. Marriott has supported the Hospitality Link program since 2016 and has helped train more than 600 refugees.

“At Marriott International, we believe in…making a positive and sustainable impact in the communities where we do business,” president and CEO Anthony Capuano recently said. “Across Europe, this has included support for refugees from Ukraine since the start of the war. Our focus on creating job opportunities has already led to over 970 refugees hired across dozens of our hotels in the European region. Marriott’s goal to hire an additional 1,500 refugees in Europe builds on the work we’re doing to promote opportunities…and highlights our steadfast commitment to put people first.”

Here’s what employees are saying:

Marriott really takes care of their associates. Whether it’s through proving the tuition opportunities to further educate yourself, or simply working with your schedule so you can care for your children, or in general all the benefits company offers to live a well-balanced personal and professional life.

#57 of 100: Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose — to care for people so they can be their best. In fact, a common mantra among team members: “Care is our superpower, guiding our decisions and actions every day.”

That superpower was on full display recently, as Hyatt placed special emphasis on addressing the challenges of Afghan refugees in the U.S., connecting them with employment opportunities at their hotels. Building on this, they partnered with the charitable groups Welcome.US and Welcome Exchange to identify Afghan refugees in search of work and enable them to begin a new life in the U.S. The effort has been an incredible success: They’ve placed 100+ refugees in roles at hotels across the country — and they continue to build on those efforts.

“I feel very comfortable being exactly who I am and bringing my whole self to work,” says a Hyatt team member. “People around our property truly care for others and demonstrate that often.”

Here’s what employees are saying:

We celebrate diversity and individuality! I feel very comfortable being exactly who I am and bringing my whole self to work. People around our property truly care for others and demonstrate that often.

#68 of 100: Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants

San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the original boutique hotel company since 1981, now operates more than 50 hotels and 60+ eateries, bars and lounges.

A commitment to hospitality and care extends to every decision Kimpton makes, including the resources they provide their 4,000+ employees. In the wake of Covid, Kimpton has increased its health and wellness offerings by starting a partnership with online and mobile therapy service Talkspace. All employees, from frontline staff to managers, can participate in the Talkspace membership free of charge for unlimited therapy, as well as access a variety of other educational resources. Kimpton also recently distributed a Managing Mental Health guide for leaders, to help them support anyone on their teams struggling with their mental health.

“It is the culture!” raves one team member. “I have never in my life truly felt like I belonged to a team where I work. When I started working for Kimpton I immediately felt like I was home. Everyone looks out for one another. I have never felt such warmth at [another] place of work.”

Here’s what employees are saying:

It is the culture! I have never in my life truly felt like I belonged to a team where I work. When I started working for Kimpton Hotels I immediately felt like I was home. They seek out the right people to work for the company and welcome them into the culture at the same time. It is more like a big family then co-workers. Everyone looks out for one another. I have never felt such warmth at my place of work. All of the managers live and breathe Kimpton culture and they do everything they can to make sure everyone feels like they belong. I have never seen so many people constantly smiling behind the scenes. They helped me start my career and believed in my potential. I can’t see myself ever leaving!

Interesting Observations

The four hotel chains were all listed in the 2022 “Top 100 Companies That Care” list. However, 2 moved up in placement and 2 moved down:

• Last year, Hilton came in at a solid #12. A loss of 24 places with it being #36 this year. Ew.
• In 2022, Marriott’s placement was #56. A nice, 18-point improvement in 2023, where it’s #38.
• Hyatt was #20 last year. That’s a loss of a whopping 37 points. That’s disappointing.
• In 2022, Kimpton was #76 on the list of Great Places to Work. With its being #68 this year, that’s a gain of 8 placements.

Does this mean Hilton and Hyatt have gone down in quality and Marriott and Kimpton have gone up? Hard to say. The criteria change each year. So whereas in 2022, they were looking at, “employee benefits, commitment to social justice, green initiatives, COVID-19 relief efforts and outstanding care for customers,” this year they focused on, “reducing the carbon footprints of their operations, investing employees’ mental health, and giving back to those in need.” Not every company is going to excel at every initiative. Even 2022’s #1 company, Target, was only #9 this year.

But what IS telling is that IHG, Wyndham, etc. are still not on that list. Nor are Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, etc.

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