Ocean State Job Lot Honored with 2025 Inspiring Workplaces Award
For fourth consecutive year, OSJL is among the top Inspiring Workplaces in North America
North Kingstown, R.I. – June 27, 2025 — Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with 176 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, is proud to announce that it was named among the top 50 winners of the 2025 Inspiring Workplaces Awards in Chicago on Tuesday, June 24th.
The Inspiring Workplaces Awards honor organizations that prioritize their employees and foster a supportive and dynamic work environment. The awards evaluate companies based on six crucial categories: Culture and Purpose, Leadership, Wellbeing, Inclusion, Employee Voice, and Employee Experience. Organizations of all sizes and industries entered a category defined by how many people are within the business. The top 100 winners were decided by an independent expert judging panel.
“We are incredibly proud to be recognized among the top 50 Inspiring Workplaces in North America this year,” said Lynn Hall, Director of Corporate Communications, Ocean State Job Lot. “Every associate in our stores, corporate office, and distribution center plays a key role in our success and growth, and we are grateful for their hard work and dedication.”
Matt Manners, Founder, The Inspiring Workplaces Group, commented: “As Inspiring Workplaces marks its 10th anniversary, we’re proud to recognize organizations that are setting the gold standard for PeopleFirst cultures. This isn’t just a feel-good approach, it’s a fundamental business strategy. With AI reshaping the way we work and live, companies that continue to prioritize profit over people may find themselves facing short-term wins but long-term setbacks. PeopleFirst isn’t optional. It’s essential.”
Pictured Left-to-Right: Beth Mainville, Philanthropic Communications Specialist, Ocean State Job Lot and Margaux Bessette, Associate Experience Specialist, Ocean State Job Lot.
About The Inspiring Workplaces Group:
Inspiring Workplaces is a global organization on a mission to help businesses build, prove, and celebrate truly PeopleFirst cultures. Believing that the greatest force in business is people, Inspiring Workplaces champions cultures where belief, belonging and confidence in the future empower individuals to thrive.
Through its core programs: The Inspiring Workplaces Awards, Certified PeopleFirst™ and the free Inspiring Workplaces Community — the organization celebrates, certifies and connects leaders committed to creating environments where people feel seen, valued, and prepared for the future of work.
In a world where workplaces shape lives, Inspiring Workplaces exists to spotlight those who lead with purpose, because inspiring cultures don’t just transform business, they change the world. Learn more at: www.inspiring-workplaces.com.
About Ocean State Job Lot:
Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 176 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, approximately 5,600 employees, and annual sales exceeding $850 million. OSJL Shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool, and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a four-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. *Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.
The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Website: OceanStateJobLot.com.
