Paying More Than the Industry Standard: While many retail stores were paying minimum wage, Costco was known for starting employees at much higher rates. In one interview, a longtime employee shared how she started at $13/hour when the federal minimum was just $7.25. That wage continued to rise, and she eventually made over $25/hour working in a warehouse—without a college degree. “They pay you like they mean it. And that makes you want to stay and work hard,” she said.

Health Insurance for Part-Time Workers: A part-time worker shared how she was shocked to find out that Costco offered her health insurance after only a few months on the job. Most other part-time retail jobs didn’t offer anything.

Promoting from Within: One regional manager started as a cart pusher when he was 18. Over the years, he was promoted to cashier, then supervisor, and eventually moved into management. Costco is famous for developing talent from within, and more than half of their warehouse managers started in entry-level roles. “They noticed my work and gave me a chance. Now I help lead a team of 200 people.”

Treating Employees Like Family During COVID: During the pandemic, while many companies laid off workers, Costco kept employees on payroll and even gave hazard pay. They were among the first to offer extra safety measures and time off. One employee said she felt “seen and protected” during a scary and uncertain time. “While other stores were cutting hours, we got bonuses and extra help. Costco didn’t forget us.”

Long-Term Loyalty: Many employees have worked at Costco for decades. A  cashier who had been with the company for over 30 years said the reason he never left was simple: “They respect us. They listen. And they make you feel like you matter.”

They Put My Well-Being First: A manager shared how during a personal health scare, Zoom not only gave her extended paid leave but regularly checked in—not to talk about work, but to make sure she was okay. Her manager even sent her meals and a care package. “I never expected a tech company to treat me like family—but that’s exactly how it felt.”

Mental Health Matters Here: An employee dealing with anxiety said she was afraid to speak up at previous jobs. At Zoom, she found an open, supportive environment that offered free therapy access and wellness days. “They don’t just say they care—they give you the tools and space to take care of yourself.”

I Grew Faster Than I Ever Thought Possible: A young marketing associate started at Zoom during the pandemic. Through mentorship, leadership training, and encouragement to speak up in meetings, she was promoted twice in under two years. “At Zoom, they listen to young voices. I never felt like ‘just a junior.’ ”

Even Remote, I Felt Connected: A new hire joined Zoom fully remote and worried about feeling isolated. But she was immediately invited to virtual coffee chats, team games, and monthly culture events. Her team sent her handwritten notes to welcome her. “I felt seen and included from day one. The energy was real—even through a screen.”

Leaders Who Actually Listen: During the meeting, an employee submitted anonymous feedback asking for more flexible time off. Within a few weeks, they added quarterly wellness days. “They didn’t just listen—they acted.”

Kindness is in the Culture: An engineer shared how when his house was damaged in a flood, his team came together to cover shifts, raise money, and even deliver supplies. His manager told him, “Family first. We’ve got you.” “Zoom didn’t just support me—they went above and beyond.”

They Helped Me Grow—and Grow Fast: A young analyst at LinkedIn shared how her manager encouraged her to pursue stretch projects outside her comfort zone. She was also matched with a mentor through an internal career development program. Within two years, she was promoted and leading her own team. “They believed in me before I believed in myself. That’s rare—and powerful.”

Real Support for Mental Health: A content designer shared how LinkedIn offered generous mental health benefits—including therapy, mindfulness training, and company-wide “RestUp” days with no meetings. When she needed time off for burnout, her team fully supported her. “They didn’t just say it’s okay to rest. They built a system that protects rest.”

Family First—No Questions Asked: A working parent shared how when her child was hospitalized, she was immediately given flexible leave, emotional support, and zero pressure to return before she was ready. “They didn’t just tell me to take time—they made it easy to say yes.”

Kindness is Baked Into the Culture: During on boarding, one employee shared how surprised she was when teammates from around the world sent her personal welcome notes and offered to help her settle in. “I felt like a human being, not just a new hire.”

Doing Work That Matters: A recruiter said one of the most meaningful moments was when her team helped job seekers affected by layoffs find new roles using LinkedIn tools and connections. “You feel the impact of your work here. That’s not just good for business—it’s good for the soul.”

My Ideas Were Heard—and Built: A junior engineer pitched a small feature idea during a team brainstorm. Her manager encouraged her to prototype it—and the feature was later added to an Adobe product. She felt respected, even as a new hire. “At Adobe, no voice is too small. They give you room to think big.”

out it. Adobe offered therapy sessions, Headspace access, mental health days, and leadership modeled healthy boundaries. 

I Found Community: A UX researcher said that joining Adobe’s employee resource groups (ERGs) gave him mentors, friendships, and a space to grow his voice. His ERG even helped influence product designs to be more inclusive. “At Adobe, my culture wasn’t something to hide—it was something to share and lead with.”

They Helped Me Grow My Career: A marketer wanted to explore a new design that he didn’t have a formal background for. Her manager helped her transition teams, enroll in Adobe’s internal learning programs. “They didn’t just let me change careers—they helped me do it, step by step.”

I Got to Be a Parent First: A designer who had just become a new mom was nervous about returning to work. But Adobe’s generous parental leave and flexible return-to-work program gave her the space to focus on her baby without guilt. “They respected my role as a parent. That kind of trust made me more loyal and more creative.”