When it comes to why people jump ship to a new job, a fatter paycheck often steals the spotlight. It’s the obvious draw – who doesn’t want more money?

But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear that salary isn’t the whole story. Benefits like stellar health insurance, paid time off, or even quirky extras like free snacks can tip the scales just as much.

In a world where top-tier positions with sky-high wages aren’t always up for grabs, employers are left wondering, what else can convince workers to stick around? What makes a job feel less like a grind and more like a place worth staying for?

Careerminds is a global outplacement and career development firm, set out to pinpoint the perks that truly matter, polling 3,023 workers to reveal the top companies nailing employee retention – and why.

In South Carolina, the three most coveted employers are:

#1 Michelin North America

Michelin North America, headquartered in Greenville, equips its South Carolina workforce with onsite health clinics and fitness centers at major facilities, alongside what employees call “the best medical and dental” insurance in manufacturing.

Staff receive an annual profit-sharing bonus targeting 8% of pay and enjoy free tires or discounts, with long-term employees retaining health benefits into retirement.

Regularly featured on Forbes’ “America’s Best Employers” list, Michelin stands out for its family-oriented flexibility and tangible perks, helping solidify its reputation as a top employer in South Carolina’s industrial landscape.

#2 Benefitfocus (Voya Financial)

Benefitfocus, now under Voya Financial on Daniel Island, prioritizes flexibility with hybrid and remote work options, adaptable scheduling, and an enhanced 12-week paid parental leave policy, paired with competitive health insurance.

As a benefits administration company, it “eats its own cooking,” tailoring a robust package that accommodates personal needs. This adaptability stands out in South Carolina, drawing tech talent to Charleston with a relaxed yet supportive workplace.

By balancing work and life, Benefitfocus has earned local admiration for providing a flexible environment to its team in a competitive industry.

#3 Blackbaud

Blackbaud, a Daniel Island-based tech firm, embraces a fully remote-friendly culture, offering unlimited paid time off for senior staff and generous PTO for others, plus up to three extra PTO days earned through company-organized volunteering.

Focused on mission-driven work for nonprofits, Blackbaud promotes work-life balance by encouraging employees to use their time off and engage with the community.

This approach earns high marks for employee happiness. By aligning benefits with its purpose, Blackbaud fosters a supportive environment where staff thrive, making it a standout employer in the Charleston area’s vibrant tech scene.

Nationally, the top 5 companies to work for, based on perks and benefits, are:

#1 Google - California

Google’s reputation for over-the-top employee perks is practically legendary, especially in Silicon Valley, where it’s set the gold standard for years.

Perks include free gourmet meals and endless snacks to keep you fueled, plus nap pods, on-site gyms, and even laundry services.

Beyond the fun stuff, Google doubles down with serious family support – such as extended paid parental leave, fertility assistance, and top-notch health benefits.

Some of the flashier perks have been dialed back lately, but the company still leans hard into a culture of workplace luxury.

They’re betting on a simple idea: happy, well-fed, and stress-free employees get more done. With offices that feel more like vibrant “adult playgrounds” than cubicle farms, Google remains a dream gig for many.

#2 The Coca-Cola Company - Georgia

Down in Atlanta, Georgia, The Coca-Cola Company – arguably the city’s most famous name – serves up a “Total Rewards” package that’s tough to beat.

It includes a rare old-school pension plan paired with a 401(k) match, plus health coverage, tuition reimbursement, and adoption support. From financial security to these playful extras, Coca-Cola’s well-rounded benefits make it one of Georgia’s standout employers.

#3 Ben & Jerry’s - Vermont

Up in South Burlington, Vermont, Ben & Jerry’s keeps things sweet – literally – with three free pints of ice cream a day for every employee.

But it’s not just about the dessert. They offer six months of paid parental leave, livable wages, and plenty of PTO, all wrapped in Vermont’s laid-back, quirky vibe.

Casual dress? Check. Creative freedom? You bet. The ice cream keeps spirits high, while the hefty benefits show a company that genuinely cares.

#4 Hawaiian Airlines - Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines brings the aloha spirit straight to its workforce. Employees, their spouses, kids, and even parents get unlimited free standby travel on any flight. Plus, there are 20 guest passes a year and hefty profit-sharing bonuses when the company does well.

As Hawaii’s biggest airline, they’ve built a culture of hospitality that extends to their staff, blending travel perks with financial rewards.

#5 Nike - Oregon

Nike’s all about balance – work hard, rest well.

Employees get generous paid time off, extra holidays, sabbaticals for long-timers, flexible schedules, and “recovery days” to recharge.

Career growth is big here too, with tuition reimbursement, mentorship, and plenty of chances to climb the ladder.

On the money side, there’s competitive pay, bonuses (5-30% of salary), a 401(k) match, and a 15% stock discount.

Wellness is everywhere – think full health coverage, mental health resources, and onsite gyms or climbing walls. Then there’s the fun stuff: discounts on Nike and Converse gear, early product drops, parental leave, and even daycare at some spots.

To see the complete list of top companies by state, check out the online graphic.

Provided by Careerminds.

Here are the developments before the various City of Charleston boards and committees this week specific to Daniel Island and the Cainhoy area.

More detailed agendas and results can be found at charleston-sc.gov/agendacenter.

UPCOMING: TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

April 17: Davis Daniel Island Apartments Extension – Proposed extension for TRC approval for the site plan of a 242-unit apartment complex on 5.05 acres at 610 Parkline Ave. (near Bishop England, Talison Row). TMS: B2750000181. Owner: DD Parkline LLC. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: Brian Riley, riley.b@tandh.com.

April 17: River Reach Road Improvements (Priority Status) - Road Construction improvements on 4.2 acres at 1220 UT Palm Cove Drive. TMS: B2690201041. Owner: D.R. Horton Inc. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Contact: David Williams, williams.david@tandh.com.

UPCOMING: PLANNING COMMISSION

April 16: The Pointe at Governor’s Cay - Requests subdivision concept plan approval for 55 single-family attached residential lots on 14.87 acres in Cainhoy. TMS: 2710002133 and 131. Owner: Trident Medical Center. Applicant: Middle Street Residential, LLC.

RESULTS:

TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

April 10: Cainhoy Del Webb - Phase 1 (Revisions) - Proposed revisions to previously approved TRC plans for 174-lot project on 124 acres at 2284 Wright Brothers Drive. Owner: Pulte Home Company. Applicant: Thomas & Hutton Engineering Zoning: Bees Ferry Road Contact: Will Cox, cox.w@tandh.com. Results: No return/paperwork comments.

April 10: Alliance Apartments - Phase 1 - Site plan for proposed new 336-unit apartment building with associated infrastructure on 23.9 acres at 1111 Kentucky Derby Lane. TMS: B2620000028. Owner: Seven Sticks LLC. Applicant: Seamon, Whiteside & Associates. Contact: Hannah Wilken, hwilken@seamonwhiteside.com.Results: No return/paperwork comments.

Bishop England High School’s Paul Runey has cemented his place in state history when it comes to longevity, success as a coach, and his leadership as an athletic director.

Now, he’s at the stage of his career where he’s hall of fame material.

Runey, who was inducted into the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014, was recently inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Hall of Fame.

The South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association is the formal organization for the state’s athletic directors.

“It’s a big honor, a big honor for the school,” Runey said. “It was unexpected, but much appreciated. It’s an honor for the school. I don’t think there are too many schools that have two athletic directors in this hall of fame.”

Bill Warren, who replaced Runey as AD a couple of years ago, is a member of the hall of fame as well.

Runey is in his 51st year at BE and served as the school’s athletic director for 25 years.

He helped the school transition from its downtown campus to Daniel Island, a move that helped the Bishops become one of the state’s top athletic programs. It wasn’t unusual to find him taking tickets to flipping burgers to laying sod at a new football stadium during his tenure.

Runey coaches the girls’ basketball team and will begin the 2025-26 season with 829 career wins and needs 33 victories to become the Palmetto State’s all-time winningest girls’ basketball coach.

BISHOP ENGLAND SOCCER

The Bishop England boys’ soccer team is flourishing under second-year coach Brandon Costa.

The Bishops began this week’s action with a three-game winning streak and an 8-2 record. They were on top of the Region 6-AAAA standings with a 5-0 record heading into the April 1 game against Beaufort High School.

The team’s only losses were against Lucy Beckham and Daniel High schools, with both defeats coming on shootouts.

Costa is in his second year at the school, where he helped build BE’s strong tradition. He was a goalkeeper for coach Ed Khouri and was a member of three state championship teams from 2007 to 2009.

He played collegiately at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs and then began a coaching career that included stops as an assistant at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Erskine College, Wando High School, and the Charleston Soccer Club.

The Bishops were 7-6 last spring and reached the second round of the Class AA playoffs before being eliminated by Academic Magnet in a two-overtime loss, one of a handful of losses that were close encounters.

This spring, the team has outscored foes 23-7, with junior Gabe Williams leading the squad with four goals while Lucas Loor added three scores.

Junior keeper Joed Rentas has 36 saves.

The Bishops lead the league with May River in second place at 4-1. Hilton Head is currently in third place with a 2-2 region mark.

The Bishops beat May River at Jack Cantey Stadium on March 18 and travel to Bluffton to play the River Sharks on April 4 in a game that will go a long way in deciding the region championship.

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A trapper hired by the new company managing Daniel Island Village in Charleston, S.C., killed Walter the alligator, leaving residents grieving and confused.

March 23, 2025

5 min

Dozens gathered around a South Carolina pond on a warm evening this month, some crying and others holding stuffed alligators and ribbons — mementos meant to honor Walter’s life. A few people who were close to Walter stood in front of the group to deliver speeches, including Rebekah Cole.

“It’s so upsetting that he was taken from us,” Cole recalled saying. “He was a part of our community, and it will never be the same.”

The construction of a 60-foot aluminum footbridge across Nowell Creek on Daniel Island Drive is moving closer to reality as the City of Charleston nears selection of a contractor.

After soliciting bids for the pedestrian and cycling bridge, the city received three proposals and is verifying the lowest bid.

“Construction bids were received on Feb. 11,” said city communications director Deja McMillan. “We are now working with (the South Carolina Department of Transportation) on the verification process. A contractor will be selected in March.”

Once selected, an approval from the city council is anticipated in April, with construction set to begin in May. The $750,000 project is fully funded through contributions from Berkeley County, the City of Charleston, and the Charleston Area Regional Transportation Study, or CHATS, policy committee.

The bridge will provide a dedicated walker and biker pathway between Daniel Island and St. Thomas Island Drive to provide improved connectivity between the island and the mainland. The 1,100-foot route includes a boardwalk, an enhanced crosswalk, and an aluminum bridge.

A paved path will begin at the former Blackbaud headquarters, leading to an enhanced crosswalk at the intersection of Nowell Creek and Daniel Island Drive. Once across, pedestrians can take the new footbridge and continue along the pathway, which ends near the Shellring community on St. Thomas Island Drive.

“Paved pathways will be constructed with pervious concrete to minimize runoff, and site-built boardwalk sections will connect to the aluminum span in the center,” McMillan said.

The bridge will feature user-activated Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons, or RRFBs, at the Daniel Island Drive crosswalk, though no lighting is planned at this time. Barrier fencing will also be installed to prevent users from veering into the marsh.

Officials said one of the project’s biggest challenges remains working in the marsh environment.

“The fill material in the marsh leading up to the bridge could require several months to achieve adequate consolidation before the bridge abutments can be constructed,” McMillan said. “Our geotechnical engineers will be monitoring the process to determine when the required settlement has occurred.”

While the expected construction timeline to completion remains 12 to 14 months, McMillan said the work could progress faster depending on settlement rates. Some upland work can begin while marsh settlement occurs, but the bridge itself cannot be completed until engineers confirm proper consolidation.

Traffic impacts will be minimal, although temporary lane closures on Daniel Island Drive may be necessary.

“We anticipate intermittent traffic control with flaggers stopping traffic as needed,” McMillan said. “There may be a full-day road closure when the aluminum bridge span is placed, but plans will be communicated to area residents in advance.”

With permitting complete, only contractor-submitted traffic control plans and product approvals remain.

McMillan credited key partners for their support. “The City of Charleston thanks the Berkeley, Charleston, Dorchester Council of Governments for awarding this project, CHATs grant funding, and the Daniel Island Property Owners’ Association for site coordination.

“This project will create a safe passage across Nowell Creek, connecting to the recently constructed bike and pedestrian trail over Beresford Creek,” McMillan said. “Future connections to Clements Ferry Road are still being considered but have not been identified at this time.”