Ocean State Job Lot Honored with 2026 Inspiring Workplaces Award
For the fifth consecutive year, OSJL is among the top Inspiring Workplaces in North America
North Kingstown, R.I. – June 23, 2026 — Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with 175 locations across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, is proud to announce that it was named among the top 100 winners of the 2026 Inspiring Workplaces Awards in Chicago on Wednesday, June 17th.
OSJL ranked first in the Enterprise category of 5,000+ employees, and placed seventh overall on the top 100 list. The company also received special recognition for Inspiring Wellbeing, Inspiring Employee Voice, Inspiring Inclusion & Belonging, and Inspiring Employee Experience.
Since 2015, Inspiring Workplaces has been honoring organizations that go beyond policies and programs to create environments where people feel valued, included, and empowered to thrive. These are workplaces where culture is not just an initiative but a strategic driver of performance, resilience, and long-term success.
This year’s winners represent the very best of what PeopleFirst cultures can achieve in a complex and rapidly evolving world of work. From fostering inclusive environments to prioritizing wellbeing and amplifying employee voice, these organizations are setting a new standard for leadership and workplace experience across the region.
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 once again be recognized among the top 100 Inspiring Workplaces in North America this year,” said Bob Selle, Vice President, Ocean State Job Lot. “At Job Lot, our values stem from a people-first attitude. 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: “Workplaces are changing at an unprecedented pace, with AI accelerating transformation across every industry. In times of constant change, organizations need more than strategy and technology alone. They need cultures that help people adapt, grow and perform. Our 2026 winners across North America are leading by example. They are proving that when businesses put PeopleFirst and build cultures based on trust, inclusion and belonging, they create the resilience and agility needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving world of work.”
About The Inspiring Workplaces Group:
The Inspiring Workplaces Group is a global organization dedicated to recognizing and advancing PeopleFirst culture. Through its two flagship programs: Certified PeopleFirst™ and the Inspiring Workplaces Awards. The organization celebrates and certifies workplaces where people and performance
thrive together.
Certified PeopleFirst™ is an independent workplace culture certification powered by anonymous employee insight, measuring belief in leadership, belonging at work and opportunities for growth. The Inspiring Workplaces Awards, established in 2015, recognize organizations demonstrating excellence in culture, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion and employee experience through a rigorous written submission and independent judging process.
Operating across North America, UK & Ireland, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa and beyond, Inspiring Workplaces has recognized thousands of organizations and continues its mission to change the world through the world of work. 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, nearly 7,000 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 five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a six-time U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a five-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and three-time 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: www.oceanstatejoblot.com.
