How winners and finalists were selected for NWjobs People's Picks
We teamed up with the public to discover your favorite Northwest employers - employers who really make a difference to you and make you want to go to work every day. From Sept. 14 through Oct. 11, we asked visitors to vote daily for their favorite Northwest employers in more than 25 categories in our fourth annual NWjobs People's Picks contest.
On each category page, visitors entered their vote into the text box, or chose from a random list of other readers' suggestions. Nominee businesses were required to have at least one paid employee other than the business owner. All voters were required to enter a code at the bottom of each page. This ensured that the votes were cast by real people and not a computer program. We counted all valid votes. If we couldn't recognize a vote as a legitimate entry, or if it didn't fit within the category, we reserved the right to discard it. NWjobs further reserved the right to make final editorial decisions in cases of multiple ties. No special preference was given to advertisers or any business patronized by The Seattle Times Company. NWjobs reserved the right to disqualify from the competition any businesses or individuals who attempted to unfairly influence the outcome.
Be sure to visit in the fall of 2010 to vote again in next year's NWjobs People's Picks contest.
Favorite biotech company: Vote for an employer whose primary business utilizes biological systems in the manufacturing of new products and systems (such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, industrial processes, etc.)
Favorite creative company: Vote for an employer whose primary business is in a creative industry, such as advertising, architecture, graphic design, marketing or the arts.
Favorite education & training company: Vote for an employer whose primary business is primary, secondary or continuing education.
Favorite green-collar company: Vote for an employer whose primary business contributes significantly to the preservation or restoration of the environment.
Favorite health care company: Vote for an employer whose primary business is providing health care directly to patients, such as a hospital, nursing or residential care facility, outpatient care center or other health care office.
Favorite hospitality company: Vote for an employer whose primary business is in a service industry, such as hotels, tourism, casinos or food service.
Favorite technology company: Vote for an employer whose primary business is at the forefront of a technology sector, such as information or aerospace technology. (See also Favorite biotech company.)
Favorite temp/recruitment agency: Vote for an employer whose primary business is finding temporary or permanent staff for its clients.
Favorite Seattle-area company: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees in Seattle, South King County or Shoreline. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Eastside company: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Snohomish County company: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Pierce County company: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Best benefits: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees that offers stellar or unusual health care and retirement plans, disability and life insurance, vacation and sick-leave policies, etc.
Coolest office space: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees whose office space boasts exceptional views, great architecture or unusual interior design.
Favorite nonprofit: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees that has registered as a nonprofit with the state of Washington.
Most family-friendly company: Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees that gives notable consideration to the needs of working parents, such as flexible schedules, affordable day care, parental leave, etc.
Most unusual perk(s): Vote for an employer with 250 or more employees that offers unique morale boosters -- the little things that make your workplace a great place to be.
Favorite Seattle-area company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees in Seattle, South King County or Shoreline. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Eastside company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Snohomish County company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Favorite Pierce County company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees. If the business has multiple locations, place your vote in the geographic category where the largest office is located.
Best benefits: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees that offers stellar or unusual health care and retirement plans, disability and life insurance, vacation and sick-leave policies, etc.
Coolest office space: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees whose office space boasts exceptional views, great architecture or unusual interior design.
Favorite nonprofit: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees that has registered as a nonprofit with the state of Washington.
Favorite startup: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees whose business was launched no earlier than January 2008.
Most family-friendly company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees that gives notable consideration to the needs of working parents, such as flexible schedules, affordable day care, parental leave, etc.
Most pet-friendly company: Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees that offers special treatment to furry, finned or feathered friends.
Most unusual perk(s): Vote for an employer with fewer than 250 employees that offers unique morale boosters -- the little things that make your workplace a great place to be.
Large company: 250 or more employees
Small company: Fewer than 250 employees