For Anne Arundel families, a good workplace is about more than perks. It is about stability, flexibility, respectful leadership, and whether a job actually supports real life.
That is why this local recognition is worth watching. Three Anne Arundel County employers — Smithey Law Group, Liff, Walsh & Simmons / Eagle Title, and Fello — were named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s 2026 Best Places to Work list. Smithey Law Group was honored in the micro category, Liff, Walsh & Simmons/Eagle Title in the medium category, and Fello in the large category.
“Workplace culture isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a critical business asset.”
What “Best Places to Work” Really Means
This kind of award matters because it is based on employee feedback, not just branding. Quantum Workplace, which powers many Best Places to Work programs, says its survey measures culture across areas such as compensation and benefits, trust in senior leadership, and employee engagement.
That is important because workplace culture is not fluff. It affects whether employees stay, grow, and feel valued. Ragan Decker, Ph.D., manager of Executive Network/SHRM business research at SHRM, said, “Workplace culture isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a critical business asset.” SHRM reports that workers in positive cultures are almost four times more likely to stay with their employer.
Why This Matters in Anne Arundel County
For local families, a strong workplace culture can mean lower turnover, healthier management, and more day-to-day stability. In a labor market where engagement remains challenged, those qualities stand out even more. Gallup reports that only 31% of U.S. employees were engaged in 2024, the lowest level in a decade, and that figure remained 31% in 2025.
Gallup’s Jim Harter, Ph.D., Chief Scientist, Workplace, has argued that engaged cultures are not about keeping employees casually happy. They are about connecting people to purpose, performance, and what they do best. That distinction matters for parents, caregivers, and professionals trying to build not just a career, but a sustainable life.
Our Local Take
For Anne Arundel County, this recognition is more than a business headline. It is a reminder that in today’s job market, the best workplaces are often the ones that listen to employees, build trust, and support people as whole human beings.
That is good for retention. It is good for employers. And for local families, it is a hopeful sign that workplace culture still counts.
Citations
Eye On Annapolis. (2026, May 2). 3 Anne Arundel County businesses named to BBJ’s 2026 Best Places to Work list. https://www.eyeonannapolis.net/2026/05/3-anne-arundel-county-businesses-named-to-bbjs-2026-best-places-to-work-list/
Gallup. (2025, January 14). U.S. employee engagement sinks to 10-year low. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx
Quantum Workplace. (n.d.). Best Places to Work: Over a decade recognizing top workplaces. https://www.quantumworkplace.com/about-best-places-to-work
Society for Human Resource Management. (2024, October 10). SHRM report: Workplace culture fosters employee retention worldwide. https://www.shrm.org/executive-network/insights/shrm-report-workplace-culture-fosters-employee-retention
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