U.S. Corporate Headquarters: Oklahoma City

Website: chaparralenergy.com

Year Founded: 1988

CEO: Mark Fischer

Status: Private

Full-Time Employees in State: 680

Part-Time Employees in State: 14

At Chaparral Energy, employees who refer new hires are offered a bonus. It’s a stroke of luck for both, but perhaps especially for the newcomer, who gains all the job perks and career advantages that come with a job at Chaparral.

A casual dress code lets workers take advantage of the health and fitness opportunities afforded them. They can train on gym-quality machines at the fitness center, or take an instructor-lead class like yoga or boot camp. For the outdoorsy types, the facility boasts a walking trail and an outdoor pond stocked for fishing.

Good health is important to Chaparral: The company pays 100% of the premium on employees’ medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, and up to 74% on those premiums of their dependents.

Ten paid holiday days are offered annually, which seems like much more when you consider that at Chaparral, the weekend starts Friday afternoon, after a four-and-a-half-day workweek. Employees also have the option to work a compressed workweek.

Employees seeking to advance themselves will find Chaparral a welcome environment. Multi-tiered position titles recognize and encourage growth and learning, and tuition reimbursement is offered for industry certifications and completion of undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Oil and natural gas aside, Chaparral recognizes its employees as the most valuable resource.