Local firms honored as great places to work

Kootenai County boasts some of the best places to work in Idaho, according to an independent human resource and marketing firm.

Mountain West Bank, Alliance Data, Idaho Central Credit Union, Edward Jones, TitleOne Corporation and T-Mobile were among the firms named to Populus' Top 10 Best Places to Work in Idaho in the Large Employer category of 100 or more employees.

"We have a culture here that allows you to work within the community and represent the bank on many different levels," said Jodi Ward, marketing manager who works for Mountain West Bank in Coeur d'Alene.

Amy Reynolds, the bank's human resources manager, said the business has had a philosophy for several years that's instilled in both current employees and new workers.

"Play, be there, make their day and choose your attitude," said Reynolds, referring to the philosophy. "We make sure that's part of the orientation so new employees are part of that culture from the beginning."

Ward said the company offers a nine-month leadership program and keeps an open-door policy so any employee can speak to a manager at any given time.

"It's a great environment in which everyone respects one another," she said. "There's zero to no gossip because it gets nipped in the bud."

Alliance Data is a national credit card service company that opened a call center in Coeur d’Alene in 2014.

D.A. Davidson and Co. was among the firms that made the top 10 list in the Small Employers category (20 to 99 employees).

The awards will be presented in Boise on April 14. Companies will also learn their ranking within the top 10 at that time.

Populus, located in Meridian, released its top 10 lists for 2016 based on employee surveys.

The lists are based on criteria such company benefits and programs and employee morale.

D.A. Davidson, for instance, offers an employee scholarship program, cellphone and computer discounts, holiday gifts and free financial advice.