2026 Top Workplaces Competition Adds Special Awards for Leaders and Employers
Portland, OR – The 2026 Top Workplaces competition has introduced special awards, recognizing three outstanding leaders and 12 employers for standout employee feedback.
Portland, OR, September 27, 2026 —
The 2026 Top Workplaces competition has launched a new initiative, introducing special awards designed to highlight exceptional contributions within organizations. This expansion aims to recognize both individual leadership excellence and overall employer performance, based on the feedback provided by employees.
- Award Focus: The special awards will acknowledge outstanding leaders and employers.
- Recognition Criteria: Selections are driven by significant and positive employee feedback.
- Number of Recipients: Three individual leaders and twelve employers are slated for recognition.
The introduction of these special awards signifies an evolution in the Top Workplaces program, broadening its scope to include more specific categories of achievement. While the core competition evaluates workplaces based on a comprehensive range of employee survey responses, these new awards are intended to shine a spotlight on specific examples of effective leadership and exemplary organizational practices that resonate strongly with staff.
The details surrounding the nomination and selection process for these special awards have not been fully detailed, nor have the specific criteria that distinguish ‘outstanding’ leaders from other recognized individuals. Similarly, the exact nature of the ‘standout employee feedback’ that will lead to an employer’s recognition through these new awards has not been elaborated upon. Information regarding the specific leaders and employers who will receive these honors in 2026 is also pending further announcements.
This development suggests a continued effort by the organizers to refine and enhance the Top Workplaces program, providing a platform for a wider array of achievements and contributions that foster positive work environments. The focus remains on employee sentiment as the primary indicator of workplace quality, now with additional avenues for recognition.
Story summarized from the original created by Energage on www.oregonlive.com, see more information here.
Media gallery
