{"id":10945276,"date":"2024-12-06T07:00:26","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T12:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/?p=10945276"},"modified":"2024-11-21T11:33:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-21T16:33:27","slug":"no-1-small-top-workplace-2024-requitest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.baltimoresun.com\/2024\/12\/06\/no-1-small-top-workplace-2024-requitest\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 1 small Top Workplace 2024: RequiTest is a cutting-edge software development firm with a small but loyal workforce"},"content":{"rendered":"

RequiTest is a government contractor founded on a simple premise.<\/p>\n

“My dad wanted to build a company that he, himself, would want to work for,” said Richard Vook, 28, vice president of the software development and systems engineering firm in Ellicott City.<\/p>\n

Twenty years later, RequiTest is a cutting-edge outfit with 15 U.S. Department of Defense contracts and a small but loyal workforce whose job perks keep them happy. Here, the 47 employees enjoy generous benefits and off-the-clock outings, like happy hours and family gatherings. At RequiTest, there is no dress code, plenty of swag and an overriding confidence that management cares what its workers think.<\/p>\n

“There’s no suggestion box, but we’re approachable,” Vook said. “We take employees out for coffee, or lunch, for status checks \u2014 and to ask what we can change or do better.”<\/p>\n

Requests are met with, “How can we make that work?” he said. “If we have to make changes to keep a person, we’ll do what makes them happy.”<\/p>\n

It’s a malleable rapport embraced by both sides.<\/p>\n

“We try to give them as much flexibility as possible. We try not to micromanage,” said Vook, a graduate of Centennial High and the University of Maryland, College Park.<\/p>\n

There’s no brick-and-mortar building with the firm’s name out front; the business is run from what was a child’s bedroom in his family’s old home.<\/p>\n

Employees pay that underwhelming presence no mind. At RequiTest, there’s little turnover in personnel; the company boasts an annual retention rate of at least 90% in recent years.<\/p>\n

“They treat us each as individuals, not like we’re part of their ‘bottom line,'” said Mike Vogeler, 44, of Hanover, a software engineer there for 2 1\/2 years. “I know that if I’ve got an issue, it will be taken care of pretty quickly. They want me to stick around, and they care.”<\/p>\n

One employee called the office in a dither.<\/p>\n

“Two of my kids need braces,” he said. “What can I do?”<\/p>\n

Management huddled and found an orthodontics rider for its benefits package.<\/p>\n

“Within a month, we added it to our dental plan,” Vook said. “As a small company [without middle managers], we can change things more quickly to make things happen.”<\/p>\n

The firm’s modest size meshes with its mindset, workers say.<\/p>\n