Today's IT staffers are kicking back at golf outings, pizza parties and awards ceremonies. Flex-time and telecommuting are helping them balance their work and personal lives. And rewards are taking the form of everything from cash bonuses to Beanie Babies. To attract top IT professionals and motivate them to perform and stay put when the competition comes calling. In fact, many Best Places companies have hired IT-specific human resources directors to be sure they're staying competitive.
Companies are willing to be generous to woo competitive talent.
Calif. Jones admits that she didn't even know what a stock option was until she joined the pharmaceutical company six months ago. Since then, she's seen Amgen's stock double and split. She's been to Disneyland and a local resort with her co-workers. Benefits include medical, life and disability insurance packages, which are starting to extend to spousal equivalents. The variety of benefits gives companies the flexibility to get creative in their reward policies.