Outside Magazine Names Eddie Bauer as One of America's Best Places to Work in 2010

BELLEVUE, Wash., April 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Eddie Bauer today was named to Outside magazine's (www.outsideonline.com) third annual "Best Places to Work" list. Eddie Bauer was ranked No. 19 out of 50 selected companies. The full list and related story will be published in the May issue of Outside magazine, available on newsstands April 13, 2010.

Outside's "Best Places to Work" list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association (outdoorindustry.org) and Best Companies Group (bestcompaniesgroup.com). The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. All of the results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees' enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.

"These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they're all following the same enlightened path," said Michael Roberts, Executive Editor of Outside. "They're successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance. They know that benefits like on-site gyms and fitness classes, reimbursements for ski passes and sports racing fees, and support for community service efforts during work hours make their employees happier and thus more productive."

Eddie Bauer's first time on the Outside list comes as the company celebrates its ninetieth anniversary as an outdoor outfitter. Over the past nine decades, Eddie Bauer has to its name a long list of notable "firsts," including the introduction of the first down jacket patented in the U.S., 12 other patents for down products, being one of the first to offer a written unconditional guarantee for outdoor gear, bringing the first black Labrador retriever into the state of Washington, designing and building the first down-insulated flight suit for the U.S. Army Air Forces, outfitting the first American to climb Mount Everest, outfitting 11 other epic first ascents during the golden age of American mountaineering, and bringing near real time daily video coverage of its Return to Everest Expedition last May.

"We are thrilled to be ranked in the top 20 best places to work for the first time, among such high caliber organizations," said Neil Fiske, President and CEO of Eddie Bauer. "At Eddie Bauer, we strive to maintain a work environment that promotes a healthy active outdoor lifestyle full of adventure and new experiences, just like our founder set out to create 90 years ago."

ABOUT EDDIE BAUER

Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style and customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 364 stores throughout the United States and Canada, through catalog sales and online at eddiebauer.com.

ABOUT OUTSIDE MAGAZINE

Outside is America's number-one active-lifestyle magazine, with more than two million readers a month. For 30 years, we've been dedicated to covering travel, sports, adventure, health and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. Along with many other accolades, Outside is the only magazine ever to receive three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence. Please visit us at www.outsideonline.com.

ABOUT THE BEST COMPANIES GROUP

Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country to establish and manage "Best Places to Work," "Best Companies," and "Best Employers" programs on a national, statewide, and regional basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.

ABOUT THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Founded in 1989, Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the premier trade association for companies in the active outdoor recreation business. OIA provides trade services for over 4000 manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, sales representatives and retailers in the outdoor industry. Outdoor Industry Association seeks to ensure a healthy and diverse specialty retail and supply chain based on quality, innovation and service. To this end, OIA works diligently to raise the standards of the industry; increase participation in outdoor recreation to strengthen business markets; provide support services to improve member profitability; represent member interests in the legislative/regulatory process; promote professional training and education; support innovation; and offer cost-saving member benefits. Search for outdoor-industry jobs is at OIA's career center: www.outdoorindustry.org.

SOURCE Eddie Bauer