Awards for star employers

Happy with your workplace? Find out how to get it some recognition.

The deadline to make nominations for Top Workplaces, the Houston Chronicle’s annual report on the area’s top places to work, has been extended to June 24.

Two ways to make a nomination are:

Go to http://chron.com/ nominate Call 713-429-0375 “We want to make sure that everyone who wants to single out his or her workplace for recognition has the opportunity to make a nomination,” Chronicle Business Editor Al Lewis said.

Organizations must have at least 50 local employees to qualify. Private, public, nonprofit and government workplaces can take part. Anyone can nominate a company, from employees to customers or top executives.

To determine winners, Chronicle partner Workplace Dynamics conducts short employee surveys. Last year, more than 78,000 local employees participated in our Top Workplaces initiative.

So far this year, Workplace Dynamics has completed surveys of dozens of Houston-area companies. Here are examples of what employees have said:

• “It is an honor to work for a company that treats you like a family member. Glad to be a part of this team!”

• “Senior leaders regularly greet me by name, ask how things are going, and go out of their way to keep me informed of what’s happening, even on a personal level.”

• “Our work is meaningful, and we are rewarded/ recognized for our contributions. This really makes it easy to stay motivated and focused on the tasks at hand.”

• “I have the ability to pursue my professional goals without having to sacrifice my personal life — it’s truly a great place to build a career.”

Top Workplaces companies are highlighted in three categories: large, midsize and small.

The Chronicle will host an awards gala event in advance of a special section in November.

The report also highlights repeat winners and top improvers, and designates special awards in areas such as leadership, ethics, communication and work/life flexibility.

Last year, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. was tops in the large category, Edward Jones Investments in the midsize category and Red Door Realty & Associates for the small category.

For a look at last year’s winners, go to: www. chron.com/business/topworkplaces/

Jon Shapley / Houston Chronicle Ginger Hardage, former senior vice president of culture and communication at Southwest Airlines, speaks at the Houston Chronicle’s annual Top Workplaces event last November.