KnowBe4 cultivates a workplace built on radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development, consistently recognized as a Most Loved Workplace® since 2022. Employees report high satisfaction with their managers and colleagues, contributing to an overall positive experience reflected in their 4.4 out of 5 rating on CertCheck. The company earns specialty recognitions for its commitment to diversity, women, young professionals, and parents, highlighting programs that support a broad spectrum of employee needs and career advancement.

What is it actually like to work at KnowBe4?

Working at KnowBe4 means operating within an environment that prioritizes radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development. The company consistently fosters a culture where employees feel valued, supported, and encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work. Since 2022, KnowBe4 has been certified as a Most Loved Workplace®, reflecting its sustained dedication to creating a positive and engaging work environment [MLW certification].

Employee sentiment indicators underscore a deeply rooted positive experience: 86% of employees express love for their workplace, 90% love their manager, and 91% love their colleagues. The overall rating stands at 4.4 out of 5, with 83% of employees willing to recommend the company to a friend [CertCheck profile]. KnowBe4 strives to make work "fun and engaging whether remote or in person," aligning with its mission to help organizations manage social engineering through employee training [Company digest].

How does KnowBe4 pay compare?

While specific details on compensation structures and salary bands at KnowBe4 are not extensively publicized, the company's consistent recognition as a Most Loved Workplace® and high employee sentiment scores suggest a competitive and fair compensation approach that contributes to overall job satisfaction [MLW certification]. Companies recognized as Most Loved Workplaces® often invest in robust compensation strategies that align with industry standards and employee value.

What benefits and time-off does KnowBe4 offer?

KnowBe4's commitment to employee well-being and support is evident through its various specialty recognitions, which hint at a comprehensive benefits package. Although the exact details of every benefit are not publicly disclosed, the recognitions imply tailored programs and policies:

Parents and Caregivers: Acknowledgment in this area suggests policies or benefits designed to support employees balancing work with family responsibilities, potentially including flexible work arrangements or family leave programs [MLW certification].
Volunteering: Recognition for Volunteering indicates the company encourages and likely facilitates employee participation in community service, fostering a sense of purpose beyond daily tasks [MLW certification]. This might involve paid time off for volunteer activities or company-sponsored events.

These recognitions, alongside a culture that emphasizes employee value, suggest a benefits framework designed to cater to diverse employee needs [Company digest].

Culture, leadership, and DEI at KnowBe4

KnowBe4's culture is defined by its core tenets of radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development. This framework empowers employees and connects them to the company's mission: helping organizations train people to make smarter security decisions [Company digest]. Stu Sjouwerman, the CEO, leads with a clear vision that underpins this mission-driven approach. The emphasis on continuous professional development suggests that leadership actively promotes learning and growth opportunities for long-term career success [Company digest] [ceos/stu-sjouwerman].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are central to KnowBe4's workplace, as evidenced by multiple specialty recognitions from its Most Loved Workplace® certification:

Diversity: Recognition signifies an inclusive environment supported by programs that embrace a varied workforce [MLW certification].
Women: Specific acknowledgment suggests initiatives aimed at empowering and advancing women in the workplace, potentially through mentorship, leadership development, or equitable pay practices [MLW certification].
Young Professionals: This recognition points to programs or opportunities catering to the growth and development of early-career individuals, fostering future leaders [MLW certification].
LGBTQ+: This highlights an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees, likely supported by non-discriminatory policies, supportive communities, and awareness initiatives [MLW certification].

These recognitions collectively demonstrate KnowBe4's commitment to creating a workplace that is supportive and attractive to a diverse range of individuals with varying needs and aspirations [MLW certification].

The hiring and interview process at KnowBe4

While specific details about KnowBe4's hiring and interview process are not publicly detailed, the company's strong employee sentiment and focus on continuous professional development suggest a hiring process that seeks individuals aligned with its core values. Given the emphasis on radical transparency and extreme ownership, candidates can likely expect a process that assesses not only technical skills but also cultural fit and a proactive, accountable mindset [Company digest]. The high percentage of employees who love their managers (90%) and colleagues (91%) indicates that the hiring process is effective in bringing in individuals who contribute positively to team dynamics and leadership quality [CertCheck profile]. This suggests an emphasis on collaborative potential and interpersonal skills during candidate evaluation.

Career growth and learning at KnowBe4

KnowBe4 places significant value on continuous professional development, making career growth a core aspect of its employee experience. This commitment is highlighted by its specialty recognition for "Career Advancement," directly pointing to efforts in fostering professional growth and upward mobility within the company [MLW certification].

This focus on development means employees are likely provided with various opportunities for learning, skill enhancement, and career progression. Such opportunities could include:

Training Programs: Internal or external training to acquire new skills relevant to their roles or future aspirations.
Mentorship: Guidance from experienced leaders or peers to help navigate career paths and develop leadership capabilities.
Internal Mobility: Opportunities to move into different roles or departments, fostering a broader understanding of the company and new skill sets.
Performance Reviews and Goal Setting: Structured processes to help employees identify growth areas and set achievable career objectives.

The company's mission-driven approach, coupled with its emphasis on continuous learning, ensures that employees are equipped to contribute to the company's goals and achieve their long-term career success [Company digest].

Risks, criticisms, and what to watch

While KnowBe4 exhibits strong positive employee sentiment and numerous accolades as a Most Loved Workplace®, it's important for prospective employees to consider all factors. The company does not extensively publicize specific details on every benefit and perk [CertCheck profile]. While high employee satisfaction scores often correlate with competitive offerings, candidates reliant on very specific benefits or unique time-off policies may need to seek direct clarification during the interview process.

As with any rapidly growing technology company, the pace of change and adaptation can be significant. While "extreme ownership" implies empowerment, it can also suggest high expectations for individual responsibility and performance [Company digest]. Prospective employees should assess if a culture of radical transparency and high individual accountability aligns with their personal working style.

Most Loved Workplaces® context

KnowBe4's recognition as a Most Loved Workplace® reflects a broader trend among leading organizations. Most Loved Workplaces® cultivate exceptionally positive environments, with 92% of employees at such companies applying for roles when openings arise. The network includes 1,800 certified companies worldwide, representing 2.8 million employees. Top-tier Most Loved Workplaces® experience 4× higher revenue growth and 48% higher employee retention compared to industry peers, guided by the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness.

How we researched this report

Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff conducted this report based on publicly available information and data from Most Loved Workplaces® certification processes. Methodology: /methodology.

What's it like to work at KnowBe4? Culture, Benefits & Career Growth