The Star Tribune's fifth annual Top Workplaces issue, which will be published in June, recognizes employers that stand for the best in leadership, vision and workplace culture.

Dozens of companies have already been nominated for this year. But we want to hear from more — so the nomination deadline has been extended to March 21. www.startribune.com/nominate

Any employer is eligible — private company, nonprofit, government or school — as long as it has 50 or more employees in Minnesota. And anyone can submit a nomination, including employees, customers, vendors or the company.

Top Workplaces will be recognized in three size categories: 50-149 employees, 150-499 employees and more than 500 employees. Winners will be recognized at an awards luncheon before publication.

If a company is nominated and agrees to participate, our research partner, WorkplaceDynamics, will conduct anonymous surveys of employees, then compile the information for us.

All responses are confidential, and the results will be published in a special Top Workplaces issue inserted into the Sunday Star Tribune and online.

Last year, the top companies in each size category demonstrated that workplaces from a variety of industries could achieve top workplace standards, including financial services giant Edward Jones, home health care services company Right at Home and the 70-employee marketing and technology services company Magnet 360.

In addition to the 100 Top Workplaces, the Star Tribune also recognized an additional 50 companies last year that met the definition of a Top Workplace according to the national standard set by WorkplaceDynamics.

Here are a few samples of what employees have said about companies that have been nominated so far this year.

"I look forward to coming to work every day. I don't feel like it is a job, or work, it is a career."

"I feel that I am doing an important job and I am appreciated for what I do."

"I am empowered to do things the right way. The environment is creative and the people are brilliant."

"I am given the opportunity to learn and grow in my position, my team members are friendly, positive and caring; senior management cares about team members."

Nominate your company today at www.startribune.com/nominate or call 612-605-3306.

Patrick Kennedy