Top Workplaces Cincinnati: 21 New Companies to the List

Top Workplaces Cincinnati: Passion, mission, recognition propel 21 new companies to list cincinnati.com/story/money/2018/06/07/twentyone-new-companies-join-top-workplaces-cincinnati-list/620838002

Alexander Coolidge, Cincinnati Enquirer Published 4:30 p.m. ET June 7, 2018 | Updated 4:58 p.m. ET June 7, 2018 These companies, agencies and government entities have been singled out by employees. So what sectors are in they in? Are they newer or more mature? Mark Wert, mwert@enquirer.com Buy Photo (Photo: Enquirer file) CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINEMAILMORE #CincyBeer Profile: Rhinegeist Brewery Employee recognition, a clear company mission and workers with a shared professional passion are common ingredients for success that helped 21 new employers land on the Top Workplaces Cincinnati for 2018.

The new arrivals (listed alphabetically) are: Barclaycard; BrightView Health; ClarkDietrich Building Systems; DHL eCommerce; Elevar Design Group; Emerge IT Solutions; ETechnologies Group; Goshen Local Schools; Jeff Wyler Automotive Family; Kaivac; Kingsgate Logistics LLC; LendKey; Mercy Montessori; NRL Mortgage; Pilot Chemical, Rhinegeist, Silco Fire & Security; St. James School; Sunrise Treatment Center; Sur-Seal Corp.; and Tender Mercies More: Top Workplaces Cincinnati: 38,695 surveyed at 184 local firms to pick winners for 2018 We're profiling three of them as representative of the new class: Rhinegeist Brewery, a manufacturer in the midsize company division; Jeff Wyler Automotive, a sales and service firm in the large company division; and Tender Mercies, a nonprofit social services agency in the small company division.

Rhinegeist Headquartered in a rehabilitated Over-The-Rhine factory originally built in 1895, Rhinegeist has ridden the craft-brewing wave and rapidly grown to more than 300 workers in the five years since its founding. Known for its West Coast-style citrusy pale ales, 250 of Rhinegeist's employees are based in Cincinnati.

Last year, the brewery generated more than 100,000 barrels and distributed to bars, restaurants and stores throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Massachusetts and western Pennsylvania.

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Employee surveys rave about the opportunity to make craft beer a career.

"It doesn't feel like a job – I am getting paid to do exactly what I love doing!" said one worker.

Coworkers also praised an exciting, growing and friendly work environment.

"I feel like I am apart of something exciting and my opinion matters," another worker wrote. "I love being able to speak my mind and say what I need to get the job done. I feel like I have a mini-family to lean on."

Despite only being a startup in 2013 with five employees, the brewery has grown in size and what it offers employees: competitive wages, generous time off, a matching 401K plan, a profit-sharing program as well as progressive maternity and paternity time off.

Other perks include unlimited coffee, espresso and snacks, beer.

Jeff Wyler Automotive

The Wyler FastLane vehicle fleet at Jeff Wyler Automotive Family headquarters in Millford. (Photo: Provided) The Milford-based auto group with more than 30 dealerships across the Tri-State is growing and instilled both a family-friendly feel and sense of mission in its business. The company has 1,600 workers, including 1,100 in the Greater Cincinnati region.

In surveys, employees gave the company high marks for challenging workers, treating them well and sharing the wealth.

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"I've never had so much fun, and made as much money in my life," said one worker.

In the past few years, Jeff Wyler has created an in-house leadership development program for all employees in the organization, providing continuous feedback and coaching.

"There is always room for advancement and training opportunities," said another worker.

In addition to employee discounts on new and used vehicles, the auto group lavishes employees with recognition: there are quarterly top performer awards dinners for top sales, service and support team members (family members are invited); an annual President’s Club awards ceremony honoring all employees 10+ years of service.

The company also boosts morale with employee discounts on Cincinnati Reds and Kings Island tickets and has teams across the locations that coordinate events for the team members.

Tender Mercies

A resident at Tender Mercies getting training on how to use a computer.(Photo: Provided) The nonprofit that serves homeless patients struggling with mental health issues is based in Over-The-Rhine and employs 52 workers. Established in 1985, the nonprofit raises $3 million a year to shelter as many as 150 residents at a time. It is currently seeking community support to expand residential capacity to 210.

Employees praise the nonprofit's mission and the service-minded professionals that it attracts as their coworkers.

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"I feel called to work here – as do most other staff here," wrote one employee. "It is the best job I have had in my long career in mental health."

Another worker appreciated the chance to serve others and liked their coworkers.

"The core values and principles of Tender Mercies are in sync with my personal values," wrote another worker. "The residents of Tender Mercies make my heart swell, and the staff has a glorious sense of humor."

Workers at the nonprofit don't receive lavish pay, but they're recognized for accomplishments, get free parking and YMCA memberships and get to participate in "Donut Fridays." It must work well enough: Tender Mercies enjoys a 90-plus percent employee retention rate.

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