After looking at the 2025 Fortune Best Companies to Work For list, I picked The Cheesecake Factory, Hilton, American Express, and Edward Jones. These companies stood out because of what employees said about working there and how it connects to stuff we learned in HR class.
The Cheesecake Factory is interesting because restaurants usually have high turnover. A lot of employees say they feel welcomed and included. New hires are made to feel comfortable and people celebrate events together. This helps workers feel like they belong and probably helps them stay longer. When employees feel supported, they usually do a better job with customers too.
Hilton is another good example, especially when it comes to leadership. Many employees say they are treated fairly and trust management. This shows how important ethical and honest managers are. In the hospitality industry, teamwork matters a lot, so if people trust their managers, they are more likely to work well together.
American Express focuses a lot on pride and flexibility. Employees say they feel welcome and proud to work there. They also feel like they can take time off when they need it. This connects to what we learned about work life balance and how supporting employees can still lead to good performance.
Edward Jones stood out because of its training and mentoring. Employees are given support instead of being expected to figure everything out on their own. This helps them feel more confident in their jobs and probably makes them stay longer.
As a manager in the future, I would want to create a work environment that is fair and supportive but still focused on getting work done. HR practices like training and feedback would help with that. I think the hardest part of being a manager will be dealing with problems or having hard conversations without hurting morale.
Overall, these companies show that good HR practices really matter and can help both employees and the company do better.