Best Places spotlight: Connectria's 'no jerks' policy draws a better IT crowd

If you're difficult to work with, pursue personal career goals at all costs and tend to be territorial, don't bother applying for an IT position at Connectria.

The St. Louis-based cloud hosting provider's branded "No Jerks Allowed" tagline is no marketing ploy -- it's a mantra that helps create a better workplace.

"The jerk-free policy helps draw a different crowd," says Austin Needham, a Windows engineer. "Everyone comes together. "

Vice president and COO Rusty Putzler concurs. "We want to project an aura of teamwork so silos don't develop," he says. "Everyone is pulling the rope in the same direction."

Connectria offers a smorgasbord of perks, from on-site workout facilities to free company-logoed clothing and tickets to sporting events.

Access to new technology is another benefit, according to network engineer Roy Flowers. "At Connectria," he says, "we are constantly getting our hands on the latest stuff."