Deerfield Beach-based JM Family Enterprises, a diversified automotive company; Weston-based Ultimate Software, a software maker, and Baptist Health South Florida, a healthcare company based in Coral Gables, all ranked among Fortune Magazine’s 2012 list of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” in America.

JM Family Enterprises came in at No. 17; Ultimate Software, at No. 25, and Baptist Health South Florida, at No. 42.

The list, which also includes several South Florida companies with large operations in the region, is based on responses to an anonymous survey sent to employees as well as an evaluation of the organization's overall work culture, the magazine said.

The companies noted as best for employees tend to “do everything they can to minimize disruption to support their employees, keeping every benefit they can,” even in tough financial times, said Amy Lyman, co-founder of the Great Workplaces Institute, which compiles the list for Fortune.

For employers, that practice retains employees, which helps companies respond faster to new opportunities. “You haven't lost all your good people. When employees feel like they're being invested in, they'll give back 200 percent,” she said.

Other companies on the list that have large operations in South Florida — though not based here, include: American Express, Balfour Beatty Construction, CHG Healthcare Services, and Publix Super Markets.

The list marks the 15th year that Fortune has named the top workplaces in corporate America. In total, the companies plan to fill more than 70,000 jobs this year, the magazine said.