Orlando Sentinel Named Top Workplaces for 2026

The annual survey recognized 134 local organizations for their commitment to employee satisfaction and workplace culture.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Jobs — General

Orlando Sentinel Named Top Workplaces for 2026

Live Poll

Do you believe local companies generally prioritize their employees' pay and well-being?

The Orlando Sentinel has named 134 companies as Top Workplaces for 2026, marking the latest iteration of its annual recognition program. The winners were selected based on direct feedback from employees across Central Florida.

Why it matters

This recognition provides a benchmark for local companies, highlighting organizations that successfully prioritize employee well-being and equitable compensation standards. It offers job seekers transparency regarding company culture and internal workplace health metrics.

The program evaluated 164 organizations, with 34 companies appearing on the list for the first time and 14 earning the distinction for eight consecutive years. Eligibility required firms to maintain at least 35 employees.

The players

Orlando Sentinel

This is a major daily newspaper serving the Central Florida region that provides local news and community reporting.

Energage

This is a survey and research firm that manages workplace culture programs and establishes national performance benchmarks.

The details

To determine the winners, the Orlando Sentinel partnered with the survey firm Energage to analyze feedback across 26 distinct workplace factors. Employees in the region provided a 73.2% positive score for well-being, compared to a 63.7% positive score regarding pay fairness.

2007: Energage established its national benchmarks for employee feedback.
2026: The Orlando Sentinel conducted its annual Top Workplaces program.

Market Landscape

This program reflects the broader corporate focus on measuring human capital through standardized employee surveys. It signals a shift toward data-driven retention strategies as firms compete for talent in competitive regional labor markets.

Job seekers can use these rankings to identify employers that prioritize staff well-being and fair compensation. Readers should consider these benchmarks when assessing the workplace culture of potential future employers in the region.

The takeaway

Companies that perform well on these surveys often see improved retention rates due to higher employee engagement. Employers can implement these survey metrics to pinpoint specific areas of dissatisfaction regarding pay fairness or general workplace culture.