Audrey Griffith felt like a valued employee at ModCloth Inc. right from her first day on the job in June 2010.

"They really value the individual, regardless of the position that person is in," said Griffith, a customer care manager. The Strip District employer of 140 people is an online retailer of "independent women's fashion."

"There was an assumed trust from management on day one that I could make intelligent decisions for the company, which is really empowering," she said.

Such feedback from employees earned ModCloth and 13 other companies based in Western Pennsylvania a spot on the 100 Best Places to Work in PA list.

The list, released this week, was compiled by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation, in partnership with the state Department of Community and Economic Development and the Central Penn Business Journal.

The 100 companies -- 35 companies with more than 250 workers, and 65 companies with 25 to 250 workers -- employ 80,000 people across the state.

"The companies that are being recognized exemplify what it takes to create an outstanding work environment through a steady dedication to employee growth and satisfaction," said Alan Walker, department secretary.

"There are industries that are very competitive in looking for the best employees and that have recruiting challenges," said James Mentzer, spokesman for the Harrisburg foundation.

Employers made the list based on employer and employee surveys compiled by Best Companies Group, Harrisburg. Most of judging criteria (75 percent) stems from employee comments from a confidential survey about leadership, communications, the work environment and relationship with the boss. The other 25 percent comes from employer comments about workplace policies, hiring practices and compensation.

The annual competition usually attracts entries from about 400 companies in the state.

Operating flexibility and an open environment were common traits among companies that were selected, said employees at several of them.

"Very few people have offices here. It's an open environment where we're not locked up in cubicles," said Joe Hagerty, a software engineer at Collaborative Fusion Inc., Squirrel Hill. The company, which employs nearly 30 people, develops software that helps emergency-response agencies comply with government standards.

"They are flexible as far as breaks and when you show up and leave work," he said. "There's a certain trust they have in you."

InvestEdge, Inc. in O'Hara, employing 42 people, has a "fun environment" where "everybody has a voice in the company," said Lisa Binotto, human relations manager. The workplace even has a ping pong table.

"We have flexible time, which is very nice, and have the option to work from home," she said.

Best places to work

Fourteen employers in Western Pennsylvania were named to a list of the 100 Best Places to Work in PA this year.

With more than 250 employees:

Sheetz Inc., Altoona

Concurrent Technologies Corp., Johnstown

Lanxess Corp., Robinson

With 25 to 250 employees:

KU Resources Inc., Duquesne

Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services Inc., Indiana

1st Summit Bank, Johnstown

Wessel & Co., Johnstown

ABG Capital, Robinson

Collaborative Fusion Inc., Squirrel Hill

Horovitz Rudoy & Roteman LLC, Downtown

InvestEdge Inc., O'Hara

Maher Duessel CPAs, Downtown

ModCloth Inc., Strip District

Somerset Trust Co., Somerset

Source: Team Pennsylvania Foundation

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