The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s 17th annual Top Workplaces program recognized employers with particularly strong leadership, values and communication.
Research firm and Journal Sentinel partner Energage surveyed nearly 3,000 employees across 222 companies for southeast Wisconsin’s 2026 Top Workplaces. Of the employers surveyed, 164 were recognized as a Top Workplace.
Workers also rated their employers on specific statements along a seven-point scale. Companies with standout scores for each category received additional recognition.
Here are the 2026 Top Workplaces Special Award recipients:
Appreciation
I feel genuinely appreciated at this company.
Recipient: Sterling Lawyers
Comment: “Everything they do shows they appreciate all of their employees and it starts by showing gratitude in meetings, through inter-office communications and emails.”
Benefits Package
I am very satisfied with my benefits package.
Recipient: Applied Material Solutions
Clued in Senior Management
Senior managers understand what is really happening at the company.
Recipient: Southport Engineered Systems
Comment: “They have meetings that share the vision and lead by example.”
Communication
I feel well-informed about important decisions at this company.
Recipient: Rent-A-Daughter
Comment: “The client care form gives me specific instructions for my client. It is especially helpful going to a new client.”
Direction
I believe this company is going in the right direction.
Recipient: Epic Mortgage
Comment: “It’s great to know that Epic re-invests profits into the company and into us. I feel greatly supported in this way.”
Doers
At this company, we do things efficiently and well.
Recipient: Keller Williams MKE
Comment: “Agent learning events are well-organized, well-advertised, and well-attended.”
Leadership
I have confidence in the leadership team of this company.
Recipients:
Managers
My manager helps me learn and grow. My manager cares about my concerns.
Recipient: Golden Pet Manufacturing
Comment: “He takes the time to listen when we run into potential issues and we brainstorm ways to improve processes/efficiencies.”
Meaningfulness
My job makes me feel like I am part of something meaningful.
Recipient: Brighton Hospice
Comment: “We get to make a difference in a ‘high stakes’ setting. It’s always rewarding to hear the stories of gratitude from the people we serve.”
New Ideas
New ideas are encouraged at this company.
Recipient: Good Karma Brands
Comment: “No matter the department, we have meetings where ideas are shared and talked about.”
Values
The company operates by strong values.
Recipient: Muskego-Norway Schools
Comment: “Each elementary and middle school within the district also ‘significantly exceeds expectations,’ showing that this isn’t isolated to one building but a system-wide commitment.”
Well-Being
This company does a great job of prioritizing employee well-being.
Recipient: Bank Five Nine
Comment: “They always encourage you to take care of yourself first. Family is also incredibly important and they have never made me feel guilty for taking care of my family.”
Work/Life Flexibility
I have the flexibility I need to balance my work and personal life.
Recipient: raSmith
Comment: “My hours are flexible in that if I have to leave work early, or come in later on specific days there is no issue with that.”
Social Responsibility
My employer is socially responsible in the community.
Recipient: Kelmann Restoration
Comment: “We respond to emergencies on a daily basis. These emergencies include fire and water damage. These emergencies are our customers worst day, Kelmann employees treat customers with empathy and do not treat these emergencies as just another job.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: These companies received special awards for 2026 Top Workplaces
Reporting by Francesca Pica, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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