U.S. News & World Report, a leading source for rankings and consumer guidance, has unveiled its 2026–2027 U.S. News Best Companies to Work For ratings. This year's edition marks the first time the rankings include both publicly traded and privately held organizations in a single release, spanning 14 major industries.

The latest rankings assess nearly 3,900 public and private companies, giving job seekers and employees valuable insights into workplaces that align with their priorities. Organizations are evaluated across key factors such as compensation and benefits, work-life balance and flexibility, job security, workplace well-being, employee belonging and recognition, and opportunities for career growth and professional development.

According to Carly Chase, Vice President of Careers at U.S. News, the meaning of a "best workplace" continues to evolve as employee expectations change. She noted that the rankings serve as a trusted resource for employers looking to benchmark workplace practices and for job seekers—from recent graduates entering the AI-driven workforce to experienced professionals pursuing new opportunities—who want to identify organizations that effectively support their employees.

In addition to the overall rankings, the report highlights companies recognized for supporting family caregivers and those offering outstanding internship experiences. To further assist individuals navigating today's competitive employment landscape, U.S. News has introduced the Durable Skills Assessment, a tool designed to help users identify their core workplace strengths and transferable skills. The assessment will remain available through July 31, 2026.

Chase also emphasized that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, coupled with evolving workplace policies such as parental leave, have created significant uncertainty for many workers and new graduates. She said the latest ratings are intended to help those entering the workforce, changing careers, or balancing caregiving responsibilities identify employers that offer supportive and stable work environments.

The rankings are based on a methodology developed with input from an expert advisory panel. U.S. News evaluates publicly available employee sentiment alongside additional data sources and editorial analysis to determine how effectively companies support their workforce. The 2026–2027 edition recognizes the top 25% of evaluated organizations across sectors including finance and insurance, manufacturing, agriculture, consumer products, and several other industries.

For eligibility, privately held companies were required to employ at least 1,000 people and generate annual revenue exceeding $500 million, based on ZoomInfo data. Public companies were selected from the 5,000 largest by market capitalization. Every company included in the evaluation also needed a minimum of 75 Glassdoor employee reviews submitted between 2021 and 2025.

The rankings draw on multiple data sources, including employee feedback and regulatory enforcement records from QUODD, ZoomInfo, Revelio Labs, and Good Jobs First. These datasets were used to calculate the six core evaluation metrics that determine each company's overall rating, with additional details available in the official U.S. News methodology.

At LyondellBasell (LYB), our focus is on supporting people by placing them at the center of all we do and fostering a culture built on diversity, equity, and inclusion. One of the ways we reinforce this core value is through our People and Culture Equity Committee. Equity, in our view, means ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed and that all employees are treated fairly.
 
The Role of the Equity Committee
In 2023, LYB formed the Equity Committee, which brings together representatives from various key functions within the People and Culture (P&C) team. The goal is to use this cross-functional collaboration to enhance equity and improve perceptions of fairness across the organization.
 
The committee has played a crucial role in implementing the equity initiatives outlined in our 2023 Sustainability Report. For instance, team members from the Talent/Performance group introduced an "Equity Champion" position to monitor equitable discussions during the year-end performance management process and help identify potential biases.
 
Additionally, the benefits team (Total Rewards) enlisted an external consultant in 2023 to conduct a comprehensive review of our U.S. benefits programs with a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) focus. This involved a detailed evaluation of our healthcare, retirement, and other benefit offerings to assess participation and affordability for different demographic groups (such as age, gender, race, and location). This review allowed us to make significant improvements to our U.S. benefits for 2024, and we are considering extending these in-depth reviews to other regions.
 
From recruitment to workplace flexibility and compensation, the committee continuously works to identify and resolve equity challenges, drawing on expertise from People & Culture, leadership, and other areas of the business.
 
Why Equity Matters at LYB
Our vision for the future is for LYB to be a place where equal opportunity is a reality for all, with diversity, equity, and inclusion deeply woven into our culture, much like our commitment to safety. Our strategies for fostering a diverse and inclusive culture are integral to promoting growth and fairness. By ensuring equitable practices, we create a level playing field that fosters collaboration, innovation, and employee satisfaction. This inclusive environment helps recruit, retain, and promote talent, contributing to LYB’s overall success.
 
The People and Culture Equity Committee remains dedicated to continuously reviewing and improving our systems, ensuring that equity is an ongoing and evolving practice at LYB, aligned with our long-term vision.
 
Click here if you would like to be a part of our cultural transformation.