Openwork Awarded 2025 Best Staffing Firms to Work For by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA)

SIA's 2025 Best Staffing Firms to Work For

With a people-first approach, the Openwork team is doing work that matters

Paloma Vazquez didn’t know exactly where her career would take her, but with a background in marketing and human resources, she knew she loved hearing people’s stories and connecting them to meaningful work. A proud daughter of immigrant parents, she landed her first role out of college as a bilingual recruiter for a staffing firm. She thrived in the fastpaced environment and enjoyed engaging with a wide range of people — but when the company closed her office and offered relocation, she chose to explore new opportunities.

That’s when she discovered that Openwork, a staffing firm operating in the Sunbelt region of the US, was hiring. Meeting the team sealed the deal for Vazquez — she loved the environment and was met with such kindness that it immediately felt like home.

Upon joining in August 2024 as a staffing specialist, Vazquez was pleasantly surprised by Openwork’s genuine commitment to her success. Her leader offered the right balance of support and autonomy, helping her get up to speed quickly while also empowering her to take ownership early on. Reflecting on that experience, Vazquez shares, “I was never shut down for asking questions. Instead, I was met with patience and genuine, kind responses.” She also appreciated Openwork’s sincere focus on creating pathways for career development — she knows exactly what she needs to accomplish to progress at Openwork, something she had found lacking in previous roles. But what truly sets Openwork apart, in her view, is the team itself. “Openwork attracts top talent with deep industry experience,” she explains. “Some days are nonstop whirlwinds of interviews and emails, but it’s fulfilling to see it all come together because of the team’s hard work and the hustle that leads to the ‘yes’ at the end of the day.”

Being a part of a dynamic, high-performing team leaves Vazquez with a sense of great fulfillment and purpose in her work. She easily connects her work in staffing with helping people find meaningful jobs and strengthening her community. The sense of purpose Vazquez feels in her role reflects the kind of environment Openwork is intentional about creating: a culture where people feel valued, supported and inspired. As Openwork founder Sydney Small puts it, “Our goal is simple: to become the most sought-after staffing company to work for and work with. Culture is our north star; it guides everything we do. Winning SIA’s Best Staffing Firms to Work For award is one of our proudest recognitions to date because it reflects what matters most to us.” A strong culture doesn’t just feel good — it attracts top talent, fuels performance and creates the kind of environment where people want to stay and grow.

Vazquez is living proof of the dynamic culture Openwork has created. “I remember having jobs where I dreaded the next day,” she recalls, “but now I genuinely enjoy coming to work, laughing with my colleagues and helping people change their lives and their families. It’s a different posture when you feel fulfilled in your job. This is where I am supposed to be.