Forbes Ranking: The 15 Best Companies to Work For in the Americas

As keen observers of the realities of the Americas, in Good Morning, America! we bring more than political and economic analysis: we seek to understand how environments that inspire people and transform careers are built. Today, we turn our attention to the latest Forbes ranking, an international benchmark that identifies which companies offer remarkable work experiences on the continent.

But how do you measure the "best place to work"? It's not just about salaries, but about something broader: organizational climate, growth opportunities, diversity programs, and genuine employee recognition. Each name listed reflects a unique blend of culture, rewards, purpose, and quality of life.

How is the Forbes ranking constructed?

The survey is conducted collaboratively. Forbes, along with independent market research partners, conducts thousands of interviews with employees of large, medium, and small companies across the Americas. These respondents respond to questions about their pride in belonging to the organization, their willingness to recommend their employers, and their level of satisfaction with various aspects of the work environment. Elements such as:

• Benefits offered (health plans, flexibility, home office, etc.)

• Continuous learning opportunities

• Commitment to ethical values and diversity

• Inclusion programs and respect for cultural differences

Additionally, we consider spontaneous comments from interviewees—both praise and criticism. The results are an annual list eagerly awaited by professionals seeking new opportunities and managers seeking to create healthier environments. And, of course, for those, like us at Bom Dia, América!, who seek to reflect on surprising trends and trajectories in the workplace.

The best companies to work for combine talent, purpose, and respect.

The 15 Best Companies to Work For in the Americas in 2024

The 2024 rankings showcase diversity. From technology to healthcare, banking, retail, and the consumer industry, we see how the labor market in the Americas is reinventing itself and surprising. Below, we present the best-ranked companies, with practical information on size, country of origin, and industry, providing a window into the corporate world that stands out today.

1. Salesforce (United States) Industry: Technology (CRM and cloud computing)

2. Contributors: Approximately 73 thousand

3. Differential: Highlighting the culture of volunteering and internal social programs.

4. Natura &Co (Brazil) Sector: Cosmetics and sustainability

5. Collaborators: Around 35 thousand

6. Differential: Environmental policies, inclusion and well-being.

7. Google (United States) Industry: Technology and Internet

8. Collaborators: More than 180 thousand

9. Differential: Creative freedom, relaxed atmosphere, mental health support.

10. Itaú Unibanco Bank (Brazil) Sector: Banking/Financial

11. Contributors: Approximately 100,000

12. Differential: Internal diversity actions, benefits package, continuous training.

13. Mercado Libre (Argentina) Sector: E-commerce and financial technology

14. Collaborators: Around 40 thousand

15. Differential: Innovative pace, profit sharing and freedom to make suggestions.

16. Johnson & Johnson (United States) Industry: Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

17. Contributors: More than 144 thousand

18. Differential: Career plans, work-life balance, attention to family.

19. Cisco Systems (United States) Industry: Technology (infrastructure and networks)

20. Contributors: Approximately 83 thousand

21. Differential: Extreme flexibility, focus on collaborative innovation.

22. Grupo Bimbo (Mexico) Sector: Food and bakery

23. Contributors: More than 133 thousand

24. Differential: Social inclusion, anti-discrimination programs.

25. Accenture (United States/Brazil/International) Industry: Consulting and Technology

26. Employees: Around 738,000 worldwide, with a large presence in the Americas

27. Differential: Diversity and professional autonomy programs.

28. Banco do Brasil (Brazil) Sector: Financial

29. Contributors: Approximately 90 thousand

30. Differential: Inclusive leadership policies and promotion of internal talent.

31. FedEx (United States) Industry: Logistics and transportation

32. Employees: Around 500 thousand

33. Differential: Valuing personal development and meritocracy.

34. Magalu (Brazil) Sector: Retail and technology

35. Collaborators: More than 50 thousand

36. Differential: Diversity policies, especially with young apprentices and access to education.

37. Unilever (UK/Brazil/Americas) Industry: Food, cosmetics, cleaning

38. Contributors: More than 149 thousand

39. Differential: Environmental commitment and development of female leaders.

40. P&G (United States) Industry: Consumer Goods

41. Contributors: Approximately 101 thousand

42. Differential: Work-life balance, robust career plan.

43. PepsiCo (United States) Industry: Food and beverage

44. Contributors: Approximately 309 thousand

45. Differential: Culture of respect, agile internal promotion processes.

What differentiates the most desired companies?

An analysis of employee testimonials and survey data used by Forbes reveals clear patterns. Those in the top spots generally focus on three main fronts:

• Valuing the individual: Psychological support, flexible hours, possibility of remote work and support for family members.

• Learning and growth: Scholarships, internal training and opportunities for advancement in a wide range of areas.

• Social engagement: Participation in social impact projects, volunteer campaigns, and investment in issues such as gender, racial, and sexual orientation diversity.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) 's "Social Panorama of Latin America" survey indicates that inclusion and well-being policies within companies are strategic for improving the organizational climate and retaining talent in the Americas. Furthermore, World Bank reports reinforce the need for investments in human capital to sustain the growth of companies and society as a whole.

Inspiring initiatives in the best corporate environments

Many of the organizations that appear at the top of the ranking stand out for practices that go beyond the basics. For example, internal programs that encourage open innovation ("intrapreneurship"), affirmative action for hiring underrepresented groups, offices designed to promote healthy coexistence, and participatory leadership processes.

Hearing directly from the people who experience the day-to-day of these companies makes all the difference:

“I feel like I can be who I am in the workplace, I finally feel accepted.” (Employee of a multinational technology company)

"Years ago, I thought mental health was an HR topic. Here, my manager encourages me to take vacations and respects my schedule. That's rare." (Finance professional)

Diversity of sectors: from technology to baking

A recurring theme here at Good Morning, America!, and one that features prominently in this list, is the heterogeneity of sectors. While technology names are frequent, retail companies, banks, and food industries also feature prominently. This shows that environments of respect, innovation, and appreciation for people are not limited to the "new economy," but can be built in any segment.

Balance between traditional and innovative companies

The Forbes ranking is surprising in its balance between established giants and emerging businesses. Groups like Bimbo, Magalu, and Natura &Co compete with digital natives and Silicon Valley startups. This creates a variety of profiles and company sizes, demonstrating that the "dream job" can be found both in century-old companies and in bold, paradigm-breaking teams.

Innovation is in culture, not just in technology.

Satisfaction numbers and employee survey

Forbes' rankings are based not only on revenue figures, but also on internal HR reports, anonymous reviews on career platforms, and workplace feedback. On average, the best companies to work for in the Americas have recommendation rates above 85% across key satisfaction indicators.

• Support for mental and physical health is among the most valued benefits.

• Anti-harassment and anti-discrimination programs are crucial differentiators.

• During the pandemic, flexible working hours and working from home gained unprecedented importance, forever changing the relationship between companies and employees.

Testimonials and small great stories

Employee comments on Forbes lists help to understand the importance of these initiatives. Often, a simple change in routine, the creation of decompression rooms, or the encouragement of volunteering can transform the team's perception:

"My managers encourage my creativity, even when I make mistakes. I learn more when I can take risks without fear."

"I participated in an international career program and now manage a team in another country. Experiencing this growth is rewarding."

Ranking growth, declines and curiosities

Looking at the dynamics over the years is revealing. Some traditionally well-placed companies have fallen because they failed to keep up with new employee demands, such as expanding diversity and truly flexible work models. Others have made impressive leaps forward.

• Salesforce cemented its position at the top after expanding social programs and making its working hours even more flexible.

• Banco Itaú Unibanco climbed the rankings by investing in female leadership training and expanding parental leave.

• On the other hand, technology companies that didn't follow the well-being movement dropped some positions, a reminder of the growing role of mental health.

• Natura &Co rose in the rankings by adopting stricter environmental policies and opening active listening channels for employees.

• Grupo Bimbo surprises by combining industrial tradition with innovative inclusion and sustainability practices.

This mobility demonstrates the vitality and competitiveness of the labor market in the Americas. Nothing is won, nor lost, forever.

How do these companies inspire the job market?

More than just listing admired employers, these rankings guide the perspectives of thousands of people and guide companies seeking to improve their work environment. Here, we receive reports from Bom Dia, América! readers who landed better jobs after studying market evaluations.

• Based on this research, attentive professionals prepare for selection processes that are more aligned with the desired cultures.

• Small and medium-sized companies are using examples from leaders to implement equality policies, active listening, and flexible benefits.

• HR teams share inspiring stories of champions internally and adjust management practices to attract and retain talent.

The data shows that companies that value people are more resilient in times of crisis and generate sustainable results in the long term. As World Bank reports for Latin America and the Caribbean show, investment in human capital has a direct impact on collective prosperity.

Healthy environments attract and retain the best professionals.

Recommended Amazon products and Hotmart infoproducts

If you're looking to boost your career and immerse yourself in the world of organizations that attract the most talent, we suggest three valuable resources to complement your journey:

• "Good to Great" by Jim Collins, Essential book for understanding corporate success strategies

• Course “Strategic HR: transforming Organizational Culture”, Learn in practice how to improve the climate in companies

• "The Harvard Way of Being Happy" by Shawn Achor, Insights on well-being and productivity at work

Debates, trends and the future of employment in the Americas

In conducting this survey for Good Morning, America!, we aim to do more than simply list big names; we seek to provoke reflection on what values truly make a company a benchmark in corporate climate. We know that social transformation, access to education, and respect for diversity remain challenges on the continent, as studies from ECLAC's Social Panorama of Latin America point out.

Rankings change, trends evolve, and new challenges emerge. Even so, we believe that the essence of a great place to work involves genuine listening, respecting differences, creating space for talent to flourish, and transforming experiences into unique stories.

Large companies can inspire, but small actions—by each manager, colleague, or team—generate change. We are protagonists in this scenario.

Building better work environments starts with small, daily actions.

References

• Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Social Panorama of Latin America , 2023. Available at: https://www.cepal.org/pt Accessed on: June 10, 2024.

• World Bank. Economic Reports of Latin America and the Caribbean . Available at: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/lac/publication/regional-outlook Accessed on: June 10, 2024.

• Forbes. America's Best Employers 2024. Global research report, 2024.

Conclusion: Inspiration for careers and companies

At Good Morning, America!, we understand that the pursuit of healthy workplaces shouldn't just be a topic for annual rankings, but a collective commitment to improving life in our cities, companies, and homes. The example of leaders is crucial, yes, but we believe in real change that emerges from within, every day.

If you'd also like to receive authentic, up-to-date content that helps you interpret the present of the Americas, subscribe to our newsletter and support the Good Morning, America! blog. Join us in this journey of knowledge and social transformation; your participation makes all the difference!