Fortune Magazine has just come out with its annual list of Best Companies to Work For. I can’t seem to find a page that describes the exact methodology, but my impression is that it’s measured by pay, benefits, low turnover, racial and gender diversity, and other similar factors, as rated by employees themselves. The top ten are:

1. Genentech (Biotechnology -- San Francisco, CA)
2. Wegmans Food Markets (Food & Drug Stores -- Rochester, NY)
3. Valero Energy (Petroleum -- San Antonio, TX)
4. Griffin Hospital (Healthcare -- Derby, CT)
5. W.L. Gore & Associates (Chemicals -- Newark, DE)
6. Container Store (Specialty Retailers -- Coppell, TX)
7. Vision Service Plan (Healthcare -- Rancho Cordova, CA)
8. J.M. Smucker (Foods -- Orville, OH)
9. Recreational Equipment (REI) (Specialty Retailers -- Kent, WA)
10. S.C. Johnson (General Merchandisers -- Racine, WI)

I don’t have much commentary here, except to say that I’m very encouraged to see that the list apparently includes racial/ethnic and gender diversity in its measurement of what constitutes a “good” company to work for. At the same time, the list apparently does not disaggregate those figures into diversity by type/level of position.

In other words, several hotel chains are in the list and are near the top in terms of racial/ethnic diversity, but I’m willing to bet that the vast majority of their workers of color are located within the bottom positions of the company, working as maids, janitors, kitchen staff, etc.

Nonetheless, you have to start somewhere -- it’s nice to see such a capitalist-centric publication like Fortune magazine recognize and embrace the notion that racial/ethnic and gender equality and inclusion is a positive component of doing business.