Giving Credit

More than 25 million American workers were furloughed or laid off this spring, but Synchrony Financial’s call-center customer-service workers were not among them. Instead, they got bonuses. “Making it happen wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do,” says CEO Margaret Keane. She also set up a $1.5 million emergency fund for employees who need help with Covid-related medical costs. These initiatives helped the $13 billion (2019 net revenue) company rise 27 slots to No. 20 on the 2021 Just 100 list. Supporting working parents is another priority. The Connecticut-based credit-card provider increased paid parental leave to 12 weeks in January, and in June it launched a virtual summer camp for employees’ children. “I’m a true believer in creating an environment where every employee knows that they are valued and trusted,” Keane says.