Best Large Workplaces in Chicago

best large workplaces in chicago

Fortune 

To determine the Best Workplaces in Chicago in 2026, Fortune&nbsp;partnered with global people analytics firm&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/">Great Place to Work</a> to analyze survey feedback representing more than 60,000 U.S. employees. (For small and medium companies, also see:<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://www.fortune.com/ranking/best-small-workplaces-chicago-area/2026"> The 35 Best Small and Medium Workplaces in Chicago</a>.)

Employees say:"The AbbVie culture truly does focus on caring about you as a whole person, both professionally and personally. The parental leave is great, unlimited sick days are great, leadership works with you if something pops up in your personal life, when big events happen leadership makes it a point to rally your team to support you. AbbVie will 100% invest in your development, there are several avenues to do so, and if an avenue doesn't already exist and you have the right leader, they'll help create a new opportunity, and AbbVie's culture is what allows this."

AbbVie

Employees say:"What makes this company special is the strong sense of support and collaboration across teams. For example, managers prioritize individual growth through regular check-ins and development plans, and colleagues genuinely celebrate each others wins. There's also a shared commitment to hospitality, both internally and externally, which creates a positive and inclusive work culture."

Hyatt Hotels

Employees say:"BDO puts people first. Full stop. Everyone I work with cares deeply about the wellbeing of their colleagues, and that consideration is felt from the executive level to new hires and interns. Together, we celebrate wins and help each other through challenges. I've never experienced a more supportive, inclusive, and approachable work team. The flexibility, benefits, and professional development opportunities are unmatched and demonstrate care for each individual at the firm. Becoming an ESOP company was a bonus—literally and figuratively—and it is yet another reason I intend to build my career at BDO for years to come."

BDO USA

Employees say:"Grainger actually works and lives by our principles: Start with the customer, embrace curiosity, act with intent, compete with urgency, win as one team, invest in our success and do the right thing. &nbsp;They come together to support one another, even those we've never met. &nbsp;I've loved working for this company for over 16 years and hope to remain with the company throughout my professional career."

W.W. Grainger

Employees say:"One of the things that makes this company a great place to work is the autonomy we're trusted with. We're empowered to take ownership of our work without being micromanaged, which allows for creativity and accountability. There are also real opportunities for growth for those who take initiative. In my experience, when you demonstrate value, you're given the space and support to expand your role, which fosters both professional development and a sense of purpose."

Encore

Employees say:"I have great appreciation for the autonomy and flexibility that I'm given in my job—having the freedom to choose how I work, and where I work, makes me a better employee. I also have the full support of my manager and am allowed to make mistakes and learn from them as a part of my professional development, which creates a safe environment for innovation and trying new things."

McDermott Will & Schulte

Employees say:"Huron stands out as a company that prioritizes its employees, making substantial investments in their growth and well-being. By cultivating a vibrant and collaborative work environment, Huron not only values individual contributions but also fosters a strong sense of teamwork, ensuring that everyone's efforts are recognized and appreciated."

Huron

Employees say:"There is a sincere commitment to balancing work and life in terms of managers taking time off and encouraging staff to do so as well. Leaders set an example and give "cover" for those to take time, whether vacations or dealing with a sick kid, or whatever. &nbsp;There is truly a passion for cutting edge, innovative medicines - we work on areas of biology which aim to be first in class, and this is both meaningful for patients and exciting for those of us working here."

Lundbeck

Employees say:"I love that employees here are recognized as people, not just assets or numbers on a spreadsheet. Employee contributions are genuinely valued and seen as what sets us apart from competitors. For example, the company celebrates individual achievements, encourages open feedback, and invests in employee development. There's a real sense that our ideas and efforts matter."

Ensono

Employees say:"What makes this an exceptional workplace is the level of trust and autonomy given to employees. Coming from environments where I was heavily micromanaged, this is the first time I've felt genuinely empowered in my role. I have been encouraged to take initiative, make decisions, and learn through real experience all within a supportive and collaborative team. It's a culture that values growth, respects individual contributions, and fosters both confidence and professional development."

Q-Centrix

Employees say:"Sikich is unique in the way that the company goes beyond just a job and becomes a place where people truly feel valued, supported and motivated. Strong benefits show that Sikich invests in its employees' well-being, while a healthy work life balance proves our time is respected in and out of the office. The way teams communicate and support one another here creates an environment you don't usually find."

Sikich

Employees say:"I truly appreciate the strong healthcare benefits and the generous maternity/paternity leave policies. The flexibility of working fully remotely and the trust given to manage my own schedule without micromanagement have made a meaningful difference in my experience here. Additionally, my manager has played a significant role in my decision to stay, as they provide support, guidance, and a positive working environment."

Relativity

Employees say:"AHEAD values its employees unlike any other company I have worked for. They demonstrate this by listening to feedback and acting on it appropriately. As an employee I feel empowered in ways I have not at previous employers. The culture here is amazing at all levels."

AHEAD

Employees say:"I feel our leaders have true intentions of making this the greatest level of care for our residents along with a work environment that promotes independence and pushes staff to want to be the best they can be. It is rare to work for this kind of management and I am proud to be a part of an amazing team."

Ignite Medical Resorts

Employees say:"Culture is a word that is thrown around a lot in a corporate sense, but this is the first place that I've worked where it is actually exemplified through the people and company. Everyone is invested in getting to know one another, in helping each other, and in putting their authentic selves forward. It makes me feel like people care and want us to succeed and value us and what we do no matter how long we've known each other!"

Applied Systems

The Top 15

Fortune partnered with Great Place to Work to analyze survey feedback representing more than 60,000 U.S. employees.

To produce the Best Workplaces in Chicago, Fortune partnered with the people analytics firm Great Place To Work®. Great Place To Work has been surveying employees around the world about their workplace experiences for 30 years. Great Place To Work has developed a set of themes and metrics that not only reveal whether employees feel their workplace is great, but also predict retention, agility, and overall business success.  &nbsp;

Using their proprietary Trust Index™ survey, Great Place To Work measures the core of what they know creates great workplaces — key behaviors that drive trust in management, connection with colleagues, and loyalty to the company.  &nbsp;

The survey enables employees to share confidential quantitative and qualitative feedback about their organization’s culture by responding to 60 statements on a five-point scale and answering two open-ended questions. &nbsp;

Employees tell Great Place To Work whether leaders are accessible, communicate honestly and clearly, and if their actions match their words. They tell whether they feel respected as individuals, if they receive training benefits, appreciation, support for their well-being and opportunities to contribute. They tell whether they believe their company is fair related to pay, profits, promotions, recognition, favoritism and opportunities. They tell if they are proud of their work, their team, and their company and if they feel they make a difference, and their work is meaningful. And they tell whether they enjoy the people they work with, feel cared for and can be themselves.  &nbsp;

List rankings are based on this employee feedback, which is analyzed to determine the extent to which this experience is shared by the full workforce. Great Place To Work measures the differences in survey responses across demographic groups and roles within each organization to assess both the quality and consistency of the employee experience. Statements are weighted according to their relevance in describing the most important aspects of an equitable workplace. &nbsp;

Companies with the broadest sets of employees who report positive workplace experiences receive the highest rankings on lists.&nbsp;

In order to analyze employee feedback in context, Great Place To Work collects information from each company including their industry, revenue, size, and employee demographics. They identify the organizations that offer the most generous, caring and innovative cultures reflecting a genuine commitment to meet the diversity of their people’s needs inside and outside the workplace as validated by what employees themselves report in survey results.&nbsp;

Because employee feedback drives these rankings, surveys must meet strict requirements for how they are distributed and the percentage of employees who respond to ensure they accurately represent honest feedback from the company’s full population. &nbsp;To be eligible for the Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago list, companies must be Great Place To Work Certified™ and must have 10 or more employees in the U.S. They must also be headquartered in the Chicago Metropolitan area. Companies with 10 to 999 people are considered for the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://fortune.com/ranking/best-small-workplaces-chicago-area/">small and medium category</a>; companies with 1,000 employees or more are considered for the large category. Companies appearing on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://fortune.com/ranking/best-companies/">Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list</a> rank at the top.&nbsp;

In the last year, Great Place To Work surveyed companies employing more than 7.3 million people in the US and received more than 1.3 million survey responses. Of those, more than 60,000 responses were received from employees at companies who were eligible for the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Chicago list and this list is based on their feedback.&nbsp;

To find out more about how to become Great Place To Work Certified™ or to apply to this or other Best Workplaces lists, visit <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.greatplacetowork.com/">greatplacetowork.com</a>.&nbsp;

Best Large Workplaces in Chicago

Best Large Workplaces in Chicago Ranking (2026)