6. Granite State Credit Union • 1415 Elm St., Manchester • gscu.org
Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures: I know what my organization is trying to achieve strategically: 99% agree. My company has a culture of diversity and inclusion: 99% agree.
President and CEO: Denise Barstow
Years in Business: 80
Full-Time Employees: 145
Years on List: 6 (plus 2 years in the Hall of Fame)
Granite State Credit Union celebrates its employees often. One of the ways it does so is through a social media platform, “Celebration Summit,” which allows colleagues to give each other shout outs and managers to send personalized messages of gratitude, all while providing those being praised with points they can cash in for prizes and gift cards.
Each year, Granite State Credit Union hosts an employee appreciation event with photo booths, ice breakers, lawn games, axe throwing and a catered lunch. The credit union also organizes monthly games, activities and contests for staff. Employees at the flagship Manchester location have a rooftop deck area with comfy patio furniture, while many branches have outdoor patios and picnic tables.
The credit union also cares about the health of its employees, covering 80% of health insurance premiums. It provides domestic partner coverage on its insurance plans and part-time employees who work at least 20 hours can elect coverage. The credit union has a gym and fitness equipment in each location. And it provides employees with two paid weeks of family medical leave.
The credit union supports employees needs to take time off, providing up to 25 days of paid time off, six sick days, and 13 paid holidays. It has a policy of approving every time off request unless there is a strong business need. When the management team saw front line workers having to take on more Saturday shifts, they decided to reduce the number of branches open on Saturdays.
Employees are also provided with eight hours of paid time off to volunteer annually. Each quarter the credit union provides opportunities for staff to volunteer together during the work day.
Business NH Magazine named 27 businesses as the 2025 Best Companies to Work For in NH and inducted seven companies into the competition's Hall of Fame.
For 27 years, Business NH Magazine has recognized businesses that go out of their way to create engaging workplaces and understand that fulfilled employees are more productive.
A recent report from Gallup found employee engagement globally dropped in 2024—only the second time in the past 12 years. Engagement among managers took a big hit as they face new daunting challenges.
When your managers aren’t happy, your workforce isn’t too far behind. Finding ways to engage employees and developing cultures that meet these new challenges is imperative. Who better to turn to for answers than those with employees reporting high engagement? The September issue of Business NH Magazine celebrates delves into and celebrates the practices of this year’s Best Companies to Work For in New Hampshire,” says Executive Editor Matt Mowry.
Learn more: www.BusinessNHmagazine.com
