DDB Chicago not only has above-average pay for an advertising agency, but Fridays in summer are declared half-days for work, and a beer cart dispenses refreshments to workers, whose accounts include Budweiser.

The New York agency's office here tops a list of 25 "Best Places to Work" in the Chicago area, published in the October issue of Chicago magazine.

"Studies show there is a high correlation between employee satisfaction and productivity, profitability, and customer satisfaction," said Susan Fronk, chief executive of the nonprofit Management Association, which conducted the survey. "It's just good business."

To rate local workplaces, the magazine gave human-resources executives a questionnaire to find innovative practices or examples of employee choice. Employees took confidential surveys in 42 high-scoring companies, chosen from the 117 firms that completed applications.

Workplaces rated highly where things were more convenient, flexible or rewarding for employees. Pay was part of the picture: Software developer Trading Technologies International, rated third in the survey, gives all workers a $500 bonus when two consecutive sales targets are met. The company's Riverside Plaza office also serves free breakfasts.

Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Co., No. 5 on the list, boasts the lowest employee turnover and attention to issues of work-life balance. Headquarters workers have on-site child care, exercise classes and oil changes.

Abbott Laboratories (No. 23), where two out of five workers are on flexible work schedules, was judged to have the most robust benefits and diversity program. Its North Chicago campus is dotted with ball fields and running paths.

Chicago-based job recruitment Web site CareerBuilder.com (No. 8) assigns new hires to career mentors and plans Cubs and Arlington Park outings, as well as a recent daylong scavenger hunt. (It's partly owned by Tribune Co., which also owns Chicago magazine and the Chicago Tribune.)

Here are the magazine's top 25 best places to work:

- DDB Chicago
- Chubb Insurance
- Trading Technologies International financial software
- Weber Shandwick public relations
- Allstate Insurance Co.
- Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises restaurants
- Schiff Hardin law office
- CareerBuilder.com
- Children's Memorial Hospital
- Northwest Community Healthcare
- Winston & Strawn law office
- Foote Cone & Belding ad agency
- CDW Corp. computer sales
- Dade Behring medical products
- Jones Lang LaSalle real estate services
- Kanbay International technology consulting
- Draft integrated marketing
- William Blair & Co. brokerage
- ASAP Software
- USG Corp. construction materials
- Volkswagen Credit
- Equity Office Properties Trust
- Abbott Laboratories pharmaceuticals
- Deloitte & Touche auditors
- First Midwest Bank

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