KnowBe4 fosters a flexible and engaging work environment rooted in radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development. It embraces both remote and in-person employees, ensuring a "fun and engaging" daily experience for all. Consistently certified as a Most Loved Workplace® since 2022, KnowBe4 boasts high employee satisfaction, with 86% expressing love for their workplace and 91% for their colleagues. The company is particularly recognized for supporting diverse needs, including parents, women, young professionals, and the LGBTQ+ community.

What is it actually like to work at KnowBe4?

Working at KnowBe4 is characterized by a flexible, engaging, and inclusive environment that prioritizes employee well-being and professional growth. The company emphasizes core values such as radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development, which shape the daily experience for both remote and in-person employees. KnowBe4 aims for a "fun and engaging" atmosphere, cultivating a welcoming workplace where individuals can thrive authentically [MLW Profile].

KnowBe4's commitment to employee satisfaction is evidenced by its consistent certification as a Most Loved Workplace® since 2022. Employee sentiment surveys reflect this success, with 86% of employees expressing love for their workplace, 90% for their managers, and 91% for their colleagues. The overall rating stands at 4.4 out of 5, with an 83% recommendation rate from employees [Company digest]. These metrics underscore a highly supportive and engaging culture.

Moreover, KnowBe4 has received specialized Most Loved Workplace® recognitions, including accolades for Parents and Caregivers, Women, Young Professionals, and LGBTQ+ individuals. These specific achievements demonstrate the company's dedication to creating policies and cultural norms that accommodate a wide array of needs and life stages, reinforcing its inclusive environment [MLW CertCheck].

How does KnowBe4 pay compare?

While specific, detailed public information about KnowBe4's compensation structure or how it compares to industry benchmarks is not readily available, the company's strong employee sentiment and Most Loved Workplace® certifications suggest competitive compensation and recognition. High employee satisfaction, with 86% of employees loving their workplace, often correlates with fair compensation and comprehensive reward packages [Company digest].

Companies recognized as Most Loved Workplaces® frequently invest in their employees through various means, including remuneration. Although direct salary comparisons are not disclosed, the emphasis on continuous professional development and creating an environment where individuals can "thrive authentically" implies that KnowBe4 likely offers financial incentives and growth opportunities that are attractive within the cybersecurity industry [MLW Profile]. This aligns with best practices for healthy workplaces that seek to attract and retain top talent by valuing employee contributions comprehensively.

What benefits and time-off does KnowBe4 offer?

KnowBe4's benefits and time-off policies are designed to support a flexible and inclusive work environment, though explicit details are not publicly itemized. The company's commitment to supporting diverse work styles and employee well-being strongly suggests a comprehensive suite of benefits that cater to various needs [MLW CertCheck].

Key indicators of KnowBe4's benefit philosophy include:

Flexibility in Work Arrangements: The company embraces both remote and in-person employees, implying that benefits are structured to support both models effectively. This likely includes robust technology support for remote workers and potentially flexible hours or work schedules [MLW Profile].
Support for Diverse Groups: Specialty recognitions for Parents and Caregivers, Women, Young Professionals, and LGBTQ+ individuals suggest benefits tailored to these groups. This could encompass family-friendly policies, extended parental leave, mentorship programs, or specific wellness initiatives [MLW CertCheck].
Focus on Employee Engagement: The emphasis on a "fun and engaging" daily experience points to programs that go beyond standard benefits, perhaps including wellness programs, employee discounts, social events, or other perks that enhance work-life balance and camaraderie [MLW Profile].

While specific details on paid time off, health insurance, or retirement plans are not explicitly shared in the provided sources, a company with such high employee approval and Most Loved Workplace® status would typically offer competitive packages in these areas to maintain strong retention and attraction rates [Company digest].

Culture, leadership, and DEI at KnowBe4

KnowBe4's culture is built on foundational values of radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development, all contributing to a "fun and engaging" environment [MLW Profile]. This ethos is evident in the open communication from leadership, exemplified by CEO Stu Sjouwerman, which helps employees feel informed and connected to the company's mission and direction [Company digest]. Extreme ownership encourages accountability and initiative, fostering a sense of responsibility crucial for productivity in any work setting.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are integral to KnowBe4's cultural fabric, reflected in its numerous Most Loved Workplace® recognitions. The company has received special accolades for Parents and Caregivers, Women, Young Professionals, and LGBTQ+ individuals, signaling a deep-rooted commitment to creating an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and supported [MLW CertCheck]. This suggests that KnowBe4 actively implements policies and cultural norms that accommodate various needs and life stages, promoting a sense of belonging among its diverse workforce. The company's philosophy explicitly aims to create unity among teams, empowering them in their mission [Company digest].

The hiring and interview process at KnowBe4

While explicit details of KnowBe4's hiring and interview process are not publicly disclosed, the company's culture and employee sentiment provide indirect insights into what candidates might expect. A company that prioritizes radical transparency and an engaging experience for employees is likely to extend transparent and engaging practices to its recruitment process [MLW Profile].

The high recommendation rate and positive sentiment from current employees (83% recommendation, 90% loving their manager) suggest that the hiring process is effective in identifying candidates who align with KnowBe4's values and culture [Company digest]. Potential candidates can likely anticipate:

Value-Centric Approach: Interviews may focus on assessing candidates' alignment with core values such as radical transparency, extreme ownership, and a commitment to continuous learning.
Emphasis on Fit: Given the focus on a "fun and engaging" workplace, the process likely assesses cultural fit alongside technical skills.
Professionalism and Communication: A company that champions transparency from leadership would likely ensure clear and timely communication throughout the application and interview stages.

Best practices for healthy workplaces often include clearly defined roles, structured interviews, and opportunities for candidates to understand the company culture. Given KnowBe4's Most Loved Workplace® status, it is reasonable to infer that their hiring process reflects these best practices, aiming to provide a positive candidate experience [MLW CertCheck].

Career growth and learning at KnowBe4

KnowBe4 places a strong emphasis on continuous professional development, recognizing its importance for all employees, including those working remotely [MLW Profile]. This commitment ensures that individuals have access to resources that support their career advancement and skill development, a critical component for fostering a loved workplace. In fact, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® like KnowBe4 apply for roles when internal openings arise, indicating a strong belief in internal career progression and development [MLW Profile].

The availability of opportunities for growth and learning is a key factor in employee retention and satisfaction. For instance, Most Loved Workplaces® benefit from 48% higher employee retention, partly due to robust career development programs [Company digest]. KnowBe4's culture, built on extreme ownership, further encourages employees to take initiative in their learning journeys, providing a foundation for self-directed career growth [MLW Profile]. The company also exhibits positive vision of the future (part of the SPARK framework), reinforcing a belief in continuous improvement and opportunities for employees [MLW Profile].

Risks, criticisms, and what to watch

While KnowBe4 consistently achieves high employee satisfaction and Most Loved Workplace® accolades, it's important for potential employees to consider potential challenges or areas for continued attention. The available information primarily highlights positive aspects, which is characteristic of self-reported data and certifications [MLW Profile].

One potential area to watch, common in rapidly growing tech companies, is the balance between maintaining a "fun and engaging" culture and managing increased workload or evolving strategic priorities. While radical transparency is a core value, the execution of this value in practice can always be subject to employee perception and external pressures [Company digest].

Furthermore, while special recognitions for diverse groups are highly commendable, ensuring that all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion are consistently supported across all departments and employee levels requires ongoing vigilance and resource allocation [MLW CertCheck]. A lack of publicly detailed remote work policies, while not necessarily negative, could mean that specific expectations or frameworks for hybrid teams are internally managed and may vary by team or role, requiring direct inquiry during the hiring process [Company digest]. As with any employer, candidates should engage deeply during interviews to understand the specific dynamics of their prospective team and role.

Most Loved Workplaces® context

KnowBe4 is a certified Most Loved Workplace®, a designation reserved for companies with exceptionally high employee satisfaction and engagement. These organizations, like KnowBe4, demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering a positive and supportive environment, leading to significant benefits such as 48% higher employee retention. Across the certified network, Most Loved Workplaces® represent 2.8 million employees at 1,800 companies worldwide, where 92% of employees apply for roles when openings arise. Top-tier Most Loved Workplaces® also experience 4× higher revenue growth compared to industry peers, driven by their adherence to the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness.

How we researched this report

Prepared by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff for The Workplace Report. This report synthesizes publicly available information, company statements, and Most Loved Workplaces® research. Methodology: BPI Methodology.

What's it Really Like to Work at KnowBe4?