Companies to try

10. DreamWorks Animation SKG


Courtesy of DreamWorks Animation SKG
Rank: 10 (Previous rank: 6)

What makes it so great?

The creators of "Shrek" and "Kung Fu Panda" are lavished with free breakfast and lunch, movie screenings, afternoon yoga, on-campus art classes and monthly parties.

CEO Jefferey Katzenberg still takes time to call job candidates to encourage them to join.

Any DreamWorker can pitch a movie idea to company executives — and can take the company-sponsored "Life's A Pitch" workshop to learn how best to do it.

2009 revenue ($ millions): 725



11. Edward Jones


Courtesy of Edward Jones
Rank: 11 (Previous rank: 2)

What makes it so great?

The investment adviser has made diversity a priority with new recruitment programs to bring people of color into a workforce that is 93% white. As the company itself says, it "does not aspire to be a firm of middle-aged white men."

2009 revenue ($ millions): 3,548



12. Scottrade


Courtesy of Scottrade
Rank: 12 (Previous rank: 27)

What makes it so great?

Discount stockbroker thrives by going against the grain: Its brokers offer no advice to customers and do not work on commission. Its workplace bucks trends too — no one has ever been laid off, and no office has ever been closed.

2009 revenue ($ millions): 863



13. Alston & Bird


Courtesy of Alston & Bird
Rank: 13 (Previous rank: 30)

What makes it so great?

For a decade the law firm has had its own child-care campus a block away from its offices. The facility was expanded this year and now provides day care to 110 children, with subsidized rates for parents in lower-salaried ranks.

2009 revenue ($ millions): 551



14. Robert W. Baird


Courtesy of Robert W. Baird & Co.
Rank: 14 (Previous rank: 11)

What makes it so great?

Employees of the investment adviser praise the integrity that prevails here. "I have worked with a number of firms," says one manager, "and Baird [has] the most hard-working, honest, ethical people in our business."

2009 revenue ($ millions): 718



15. Mercedes-Benz USA


Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz USA
Rank: 15 (Previous rank: 49)

What makes it so great?

The sales and marketing arm of the German car maker offers flexible work schedules, compressed workweeks, and a generous telecommuting policy, as well as a gym with two personal trainers and an on-site car wash, of course.

2009 revenue ($ millions): 9,000