IT firms among best employers

High-tech companies, SAS Institute, PeopleSoft and Hewlett-Packard (HP) are among the 10 best US companies to work for, according to Fortune magazine.

Datawarehousing software specialist SAS Institiute came third on the list, while PeopleSoft rose from 20th position last year to 6th this year. HP maintained last year's number 10 ranking. Also in the top 100 were Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Intel, Computer Associates and 3Com.

Many employees surveyed cited stock options as a good incentive to remain with a company. Training facilities, professional growth, democratic management structure, job security and creche facilities were also important for employee satisfaction.

Rabina Chattham, lecturer at Cranfield School of Management, said the results also reflect a trend developing in companies in the UK and Europe. "There is now a greater awareness about taking a job which is going to have a happy working environment. Management is also changing from an autocratic to a more democratic structure," she said.

Chattham added: "Companies are reaping the benefits because happy employees work harder and are more productive."