In this particular economy with unemployment reaching into the double digits, most people are either thankful they have a job (even if it’s not that great) or willing to accept any job they can find. We often take jobs that are less than thrilling when we need the extra cash (probably whatever you did to pay rent while in college), but it can be incredibly difficult to work for a company that doesn’t value your skills or has poor management.

So what makes a company a good place to work?

Plenty of publications or organizations attempt to measure just that. Most of us are probably familiar with Fortune magazine’s 100 Best Companies list.

There’s the Great Place to Work Institute that surveys employees to determine, well, in a nutshell probably how much the employees dread Mondays. This company works with Fortune on its list.

And many states have their own rankings of the best places to work in the state. Here in South Carolina, we have that kind of list.

Typically, these rankings look at a host of factors, such as health benefits, pay, flexible work schedules, management, vacation time and diversity of the work force. Even perks like on-site child care, tuition reimbursement and a fitness center down the hall from the break room can push a company to the top of the list.

While all those perks most certainly add value, sometimes we have our own distinct ideas for what makes a company a great place to work. It could be something as simple as getting an occasional pat on the back or the opportunity for advancement.

We’d like to hear from you – what makes a company a good place to work?