What does it mean to be a good employer?  That’s not a loaded question, but it’s one that would generate a lot of answers.  In a Slate Magazine article, it’a a question that’s considered by comparing Wal-Mart with Costco.

The article’s author, Liza Featherstone, who relies in large part on a new book called The Big Squeeze: Tough Times for the American Worker and begins with a negative view of Wal-Mart in light of her own book called Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers’ Rights at Wal-Mart, would give the nod to Costco as being a better employer than Wal-Mart.   Her article contains a good discussion of the question, however, and it makes you realize the answer to the question is complicated.  Here’s the answer’s abbreviated version:

–Higher wages;

–Extra pay;

–Better healthcare benefits;

–Relatively low turnover;

–Recruiting better quality employees (more experience and education, better “attitude”);

–Recognizing employees as ambassadors to the public;

–Public perception of fair treatment of employees;

–A union (yes, a union);

–Personality and values of CEO.

Of all of the above factors, the most important seems to be the last one, causing the article’s author to wonder if Costco’s general reputation as a good employer will survive once its 72-year-old CEO is gone.

There are no easy answers to the underlying question of what makes a good employer.  Read the article.  I doubt that you’ll agree with everything in it any more than I do, but it’ll make you think.