Companies who need help managing their contingent workers and other labor needs rely on the Vendor Management System (VMS) that Fieldglass provides. The Software-as-a-Service company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered right here in the Windy City. In addition to the Chicago office, Fieldglass has remote and satellite offices worldwide. The company’s innovative technology platform and exceptional customer support has earned Fieldglass a ranking in the 2011 Top VMS Provider in Customer Loyalty Survey.

The Fieldglass Chicago office provides it Generation Y employees, who make up nearly 30% of the workforce, with a fun and easygoing work environment. Young professionals are treated to complimentary Starbucks coffee, Vitamin Water and a wide variety of snacks. There is a casual dress code in place, so employees are free to express themselves through their clothing choice (even if that means rolling out of bed and heading to work!). Director of Human Resources Laura Calabrese adds that their normally subdued work environment gets shaken up every once in a while by Gen Y workers.

“Although both of the Chicago offices are generally quiet and focused, every once in a while there is an outburst of complete silliness including helicopters flying and Nerf Gun battles,” explains Calabrese. “It breaks up the intensity and is a nice way to get through the day.” 

Working with a leading innovator in the technology industry may seem overwhelming for some. New hires at Fieldglass can look forward to inclusive training opportunities to help them reach their highest potential with the company. One of the ways Gen Y employees can feel welcome to the Fieldglass family is through its “New Hire Welcome Program.” New position holders from the remote and international offices are brought to Chicago for a couple of weeks. Here, everyone can get acclimated with the company and hit the ground running.

Calabrese shares more ways that new hires can receive practical training with the company. “Our biweekly, cross-departmental ‘Knowledge Sharing Sessions’ help facilitate communication and offer extra educational opportunities for employees. We also have application training available and encouraged for all, even if the new employee isn’t working directly with our technology. All employees should get exposure to the product and understand its value.”

When employees aren’t helping customers through VMS, they can enjoy making a difference in the community. Fieldglass employees get in the holiday spirit by participating in a food drive for Thanksgiving and also donating to a unique charity each year. Fieldglass is also a proud sponsor of Metrosquash, a unique opportunity for Chicago Public School students to fuse the game of squash with education and mentoring. Additionally, Fieldglass maintains a special project that is unique to their company.

Calabrese describes, “This past year we established ‘Running For Rachel’ after the passing of our company’s long-time general counsel. Fieldglass covers the cost of any employee who’d like to participate in local running events, and also makes donations in Rachel’s name to her favorite charities, including Deborah's Place, a soup kitchen in Chicago.” 

It doesn’t take much explaining to appreciate why Fieldglass is such a Gen Y-friendly employer. From its comfortable work environment, extensive training opportunities and dedication to service, Fieldglass strives to make its Generation Y employees feel like a part of something bigger than them.