Goodwin Recruiting’s Employee-Driven Culture Cements Its Status as a Top Workplace

EXETER, NH – March 26, 2026

By Sharon Henderson

Goodwin Recruiting has been named to the 2026 Best Staffing Firms to Work For list by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), a prestigious recognition determined entirely by anonymous feedback from a company's own employees. The award highlights the firm's deep-seated commitment to a positive and supportive workplace culture, a critical asset in the highly competitive talent acquisition industry.

The honor was accepted by CEO Andy Decker at the SIA Executive Forum. “As I enter my second year as CEO, this award is especially meaningful because it reflects the feedback of the people who make our company what it is every day,” Decker stated. “Our people have supported me from day one, and together we’ve continued to strengthen a culture that has been at the core of Goodwin Recruiting since its founding. With such a dedicated group behind us, I’m incredibly excited about what the future holds.”

This recognition serves as a powerful external validation of the company's internal health, a factor that industry experts believe directly correlates with client and candidate satisfaction.

The Culture Advantage in a Competitive Field

The SIA award is more than just a plaque; it's a data-backed testament to a company’s operational soul. The award methodology involves a comprehensive survey assessing six key areas: communication, resources, manager effectiveness, personal engagement, team dynamics, and trust in leadership. For a firm to be honored, its employees must rate it highly across these crucial metrics.

“SIA’s 2026 Best Staffing Firms to Work For winners continue to set the standard in a rapidly evolving industry through their unwavering commitment to culture, leadership and innovation,” said SIA President Ursula Williams. She noted that such firms build resilience by prioritizing their people, a strategy that pays dividends in service quality and market adaptability.

This principle is reflected in the testimonials from Goodwin Recruiting's own team members, which were cited as part of the award process. Employees praised the company’s focus on building lasting connections over transactional wins, with one noting, “I love that the focus is on long term client relationships. Not just a transaction.” Others highlighted the exceptional work-life balance, a rare commodity in the fast-paced staffing world. “We are able to have the most work-life balance I have ever received in 15 years of being in staffing,” another employee shared.

While the company’s culture receives high marks, the inherent challenges of the industry, such as the pressures of a commission-based structure, remain a reality for many recruiters. However, Goodwin’s ability to foster a supportive environment, as evidenced by this award, demonstrates a successful model for mitigating these pressures and retaining top talent. This focus on employee well-being is a strategic advantage, creating a stable and motivated team that is better equipped to serve its clients.

A Pattern of Excellence and Industry Prestige

Goodwin Recruiting’s 2026 SIA recognition is not an anomaly but rather the latest in a consistent pattern of workplace accolades. The company has been a fixture on Forbes’ America’s Best Recruiting Firms list since 2020 and has also been celebrated as an Inc. Best Workplace. Perhaps most notably, Goodwin Recruiting secured the #1 spot in the small and medium business category of the 2023 Glassdoor Best Places to Work awards.

This consistent recognition places the firm in an elite category. The 2026 SIA list features other top industry players, with grand prize winners like Murray Resources and Roth Staffing Cos. in their respective size categories. By repeatedly earning its place among these leaders, Goodwin Recruiting reinforces its brand as a premier destination for both internal talent and external clients seeking a reliable recruitment partner.

Such awards have a tangible impact. In the staffing sector, a firm's primary product is its people. An award-winning employer brand enhances recruitment of top-tier internal talent, reduces turnover, and boosts morale. This, in turn, creates a virtuous cycle where happy, engaged recruiters provide superior service, leading to better outcomes for clients and the candidates they place.

Sustaining a Legacy Through Leadership Evolution

The timing of the SIA award is particularly significant, coming just over a year after a major leadership transition. In January 2025, founder Eric Goodwin, who had led the company since its inception in 1999, transitioned to the role of Chairman, handing the CEO reins to Andy Decker. This award serves as powerful validation that the company’s foundational culture has not only endured but thrived through this change.

“After more than two decades leading the company, I made the decision to hand over day-to-day leadership so Goodwin Recruiting could continue to grow and evolve,” said Eric Goodwin. “Being named by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Best Staffing Firms to Work For during this next chapter is deeply rewarding. It shows that the culture we’ve worked so hard to create since 1999 is strong, enduring, and in great hands.”

Under Decker's leadership, the company has embarked on a strategic vision dubbed “Goodwin 2.0,” which aims to accelerate growth through team expansion, technological innovation, and enhanced operational efficiencies. Decker, a recognized expert on the U.S. labor market, is focused on blending the firm's established, relationship-first approach with cutting-edge tools, including AI-driven technology, to stay ahead in a dynamic market.

This fusion of a proven cultural legacy with a forward-looking strategy appears to be a winning formula. The enthusiastic endorsement from its own employees suggests that Goodwin Recruiting has successfully navigated a critical transition, empowering its team and reinforcing the very values that have defined its success for over two decades.