Workplaces are evaluated by their employees using a short 24-question survey. Companies will be surveyed anytime from October through February. Energage, the Pennsylvania-based research partner for the project, conducts Top Workplaces surveys for more than 50 major metro markets and surveyed more than 2 million employees at more than 7,000 organizations in the past year.

“Since mid-March, we have seen some organizations shy away from collecting employee feedback due to what we have termed ‘fear of bad results’ (FOBR),” said Doug Claffey, Energage founder and chief strategy officer. “Our research has found the organizations that are leaning into this crisis, communicating, and listening more recognize this is precisely the time to ask for feedback. Now more than ever, they are seeing that approach pay great dividends.”

Nominations are due by Dec. 4. Anyone can nominate his or her company. Just go to http://topworkplaces.com/nominate/southcarolina. Want to talk to a human? Call (864) 501-9699.

There is no cost to enter the program. Winning companies will be featured in Greenville Business Magazine, Columbia Business Monthly, and Charleston Business Magazine. They also will be honored at a special event.

This is the fifth year of South Carolina Top Workplaces. For 2020, the program honored 30 winning companies, from large companies such as United Community Bank and World Acceptance Corporation to small companies such as Think Up Consulting and Creative Builders.

Why participate? Consider the advantages.

Shout out, stand out: Encourage workplace pride. If you work at a great company, give yourself a morale boost with something to celebrate.

Assess, reward and improve: The results from the Top Workplaces survey can validate achievements, reveal problem areas and set a foundation for new goals within an organization. Every company that participates gets a free overview of results.

Boost recruiting: Attract and retain the best talent. Employees want to work at companies recognized as high achievers.

Raise the business profile: Use the Top Workplaces logo on company materials and websites. Customers and business partners will take notice. That can create new business opportunities, too.

Earn public recognition: Winners are featured in print and online in South Carolina’s top sources for business news and information.

“The Top Workplaces program can be that positive outcome your company can rally around in the coming months to celebrate leadership and the importance of maintaining an employee-focused culture, even during challenging times,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO.