Show summary Hide summary
If you believe your workplace sets a standard for employee support and culture, now is the moment to make that recognition official. Nominations are open for Oklahoma’s 2026 Top Workplaces, and the June 5 deadline puts the decision squarely in the hands of coworkers and community members who see day-to-day workplace strengths.
For the 13th year, The Oklahoman is partnering with a national research firm to identify employers in Oklahoma that prioritize people and performance. Winning organizations will be celebrated in December 2026, and anyone — customers, colleagues, vendors or former employees — can submit a nomination at no charge.
Who can be nominated and how it works
Eligibility is broad: public and private companies, non-profits, schools and government agencies that employ at least 35 people in Oklahoma may enter. After nomination, qualifying employers must invite staff to complete a brief employee survey; results from that survey determine recognition.
OKC mental health response unit hits one-year mark: how it’s reshaping emergency response
Oklahoma businesses: compete for a spot on 2026 top workplaces list
- Nomination deadline: June 5, 2026
- Minimum staff: 35 or more employees in Oklahoma
- Employee input: a 26-question survey taken by staff
- Survey window: companies will be surveyed through mid-August
- Cost to participate: none
To nominate or to get details about the process, visit https://www.oklahoman.com/nominate or call (405) 708-6151. The online form walks nominators through the basic information needed to register an employer for the program.
Why the survey matters
The awards are based primarily on employee responses, not just employer-supplied claims. That emphasis on worker experience aims to measure tangible aspects of workplace culture — communication, trust in leadership, opportunities for growth and recognition — rather than surface perks alone.
Energage, the Pennsylvania-based firm running the research, supports local media with Top Workplaces programs across roughly 70 U.S. markets. In the past year their surveys captured responses from more than two million employees at over 8,000 organizations nationwide, providing the benchmark and methodology used in Oklahoma.
Eric Rubino, Energage’s CEO, said the awards highlight organizations that put people at the center of how they operate — a factor increasingly linked to retention and performance. Recognition through this program can therefore influence recruiting, employee morale and public reputation.
Last year’s results and what to expect
In 2025, organizers invited 3,033 Oklahoma employers to participate; based on employee survey feedback, 106 organizations received Top Workplaces honors. That ratio underscores how competitive recognition can be and why employee participation in the survey is critical.
Companies that aim to be recognized should focus on getting strong participation from staff during the survey period. A high response rate and authentic employee feedback are central to the ranking process.
Quick checklist for nominators
- Confirm the employer has at least 35 Oklahoma-based employees.
- Gather basic company details (name, location, contact person).
- Submit the nomination form online by June 5: https://www.oklahoman.com/nominate.
- Encourage leadership to register employees for the 26-question staff survey, completed by mid-August.
- Track survey participation to maximize the employer’s chance of recognition.
Recognition from the Top Workplaces program provides more than a trophy; it signals to current and prospective employees that an organization values feedback and invests in a healthy workplace. For readers who want to acknowledge an employer’s workplace culture, the window to nominate is short — act before the June 5 deadline.
