What makes a good employer?

Fortune magazine is out with its top employers survey. No Minnesota company made the top 50, but General Mills and Mayo Clinic made the second division — the state breakdown for Minnesota.

Mayo, at #59, gets credit for a “hire for life” policy. 17% of the workforce has been with Mayo for more than 20 years. It also had a high percentage of women.

At #69, General Mills got the nod because 96% of the women who were on maternity leave last year came back to work, thanks in part to a policy that allows them to phase back in on a part-time basis.

Nice, but firms that finished higher got credit for perks from free SCUBA classes and iPods, onsite gyms, child care and 100% health care.

Dare we ask? Why do you work where you work?