Heigh-ho, heigh-ho,
it’s off to work we go. And we’re going quite a bit. Americans punch in roughly 80 to 100 hours more annually than our working counterparts in the rest of the world, according to the latest U.S. and world labor statistics. We have openly embraced the 40-hour workweek, and we’re satisfied with only two measly weeks of vacation per year. We churn out profit and productivity and are buzzing from a collective mocha-double-shot-extra-Splenda high.
 
From the looks of things, we sure must love being at work. And with so much of our lives spent “on the clock,” working somewhere worthy is key. Maybe it’s a true sense of team and family you crave. Or perhaps you’re looking for the ultimate break room, complete with pool tables, wall-mounted TVs and beanbags for lounging, or, as we like to think of it, giving the creative juices a little reboot.

In honor of our great American work ethic and our search for the great American workplace, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to earn your paycheck in the Valley.

So next time you’re circling the want ads to find your fit, keep some of these places in mind. You may just be inspired to whistle while you work.

Photography by Brandon Sullivan

SUPER SMALL

Keane Creative
keanecreative.com
In an industry that thrives on the concepts of young and hip, Keane Creative is truly leading the pack. The Tempe-based marketing design firm was founded by 25-year-old owner and Arizona State University alumnus Russell Perry (this helps the young vibe quite a bit) and prides itself on a smart use of technology and just the right touch of social interaction – happy-hour soirees translate to client meetings and networking missions. Located in downtown Tempe’s +, Keane’s urban chic loft-style atmosphere helps employees, clients and guests let down their guards, get comfortable and, most importantly, get creative. And just to sharpen its competitive edge, the Keane Creative team plays a lot of Nintendo Wii. Founded in 2005, Keane currently has a staff of six.

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Moses Anshell
mosesanshell.com
A longtime Valley marketing and communications firm, Moses Anshell has always turned a lot of heads in the advertising world with a client list more star-studded than a Yankees roster. The firm, which has long cultivated a reputation for being a happening place to work, looks the part with a very urban Downtown office (right next to Chase Field) that’s armed with showers, lockers, air hockey tables, an adjustable basketball hoop and full-service kitchen. Friday-afternoon beer cart, anyone?

SPARK Design
sparkdesign.com
If you’ve ever known a working pregnant woman about to deliver and wondered how she’s going to piece together her time off, then you can appreciate a workplace that puts care-giving and flexibility at the top of its employee benefits list. Tempe-based SPARK Design won the 2008 Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility because SPARK employees said their workplace deserved it. (The Sloan award anonymously surveys employees before selecting a winner.) Nestled next to Tempe Town Lake, SPARK boasts a lot of the bells and whistles of a glitzy marketing and communications firm, but it’s the flex scheduling and willingness to give employees time off when they need it that won the company honors. SPARK is the publisher of SPARK magazine, which is dedicated to covering Arizona State University athletes and student life.

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David Evans and Associates
deainc.com
Everyone is paid for their overtime at this employee-owned-and-operated engineering firm. This concept of rewarding employees for the extra hours they put into the job is just one of many benefit and compensation philosophies that earns the firm a nod on our great places to work list. Employees also enjoy company-paid insurance premiums as well as employee stock options. Founded by David Evans 30 years ago and headquartered in Oregon with 100 employees at its Phoenix office (1,100 employees companywide), the firm has since become a national leader in sustainable design and management solutions. The company has earned dozens of engineering and landscape architecture awards as well as several accolades for its employee-centered work environment. A driving force behind the firm’s success is the employee-led DEA University, which ensures employees get professional training to grow in their career.