Best Companies

52% of companies have at least half of their employees working 3 or more days from home, but is that working for them?

Our State of Engagement report analyses data from over 350,000 employees to explore the impact of hybrid work on employee wellbeing and relationships. It also sheds light on the impact of different work models. While hybrid work shows promise in boosting wellbeing scores, it can also lead to weaker relationships, especially with leaders.

Discover how to strike the right balance! Download our State of Engagement report for free: https://orlo.uk/xwBTt

What is your organisations approach? Let us know in the comments ⬇️

Teamwork makes the dream work (on and off the pitch!) ⚽️

Just like Spain and England battling it out in the Euro finals, success often hinges on strong teams and clear direction. United players with a clear vision from the manager are key to achieving goals and just like in football, strong teams with focused direction are unstoppable in business too!

Read our latest article to discover how there isn’t much difference between a changing room and a boardroom.

https://orlo.uk/uZ9Sa

Teams That Triumph: The Importance of Building World-Class Teams How did Spain utilise clear communication to help them to win the Euros? And how has England developed a strong relationship between leaders, managers, and their team to reach consecutive finals? In this article, we look at how companies can bridge the gap between their leadership teams and their em...

Back to the office full time with one week's notice? 🤯

Imagine this, your boss drops the bomb - everyone back in the office 5 days a week, starting next week! How would YOU feel?

This is exactly how Sir Jim Ratcliffe decided to re-establish the Manchester United working culture recently. His employees were given the option to opt in or take a bonus to leave within a week. We asked the question at our latest Community event, swipe through to hear what our attendees thought.

Let us know in the comments your thoughts and whether you agree or not! ⬇️

Let's give a big round of applause to our amazing CEO and Founder, Jonathan Austin, who's officially turning the big 6-0 today!

Just like with every colleague's birthday, we surprised Jonathan with a company-wide serenade (and yes, there may have been some slightly off-key notes, but the enthusiasm was real!). The cake was a huge hit! 🎂

Please join us in wishing Jonathan a very happy birthday! 🎉

The keeps growing, and we're thrilled to celebrate these 3-star achievers! ⭐⭐⭐

They've reached the pinnacle of , showcasing 'World Class' workplace experiences: Benefact Group, Believe Housing Limited, Birkett Long LLP, Computeam LTD, Educ8 Training, Eficode, First Response Finance Ltd, gap personnel, Linnk Group Limited, Masento Limited, ramsac, Parogon Pub Grou, The Petty Pool Trust, TnS Catering Management Limited, Tommies Childcare, UK Power Networks!👏 Congratulations!

Ready to elevate your employee experience?

Join the Best Companies Community and be recognised for creating a 'World Class' workplace. Start your journey today! https://orlo.uk/0rVci

Organisations within the that are awarded a 2 ⭐⭐ accreditation are showcasing 'Outstanding' commitment to workplace engagement.

Congratulations to those organisations that are joining us in our mission to help make the world a better workplace, and officially ‘Outstanding’ to work for: Archus, Association for Project Management, Bartlett Mitchell Ltd, Bible Society, Brachers LLP, Crafted, DMSL, Heathcote&Co, Keech Hospice Care, Kubus, Lovat Parks Limited, Origin Global, St Martins, Teachers Building Society, VoCoVo, Youth Sport Trust!

If you want to join a community of like-minded organisations, striving for the best in and receiving well-deserved recognition, start your journey with us today by getting in touch: https://orlo.uk/eqXvD

A 1 ⭐ accreditation from is a significant achievement that shows an organisation is taking seriously.

⭐ Officially 'Very Good' to work for: Airtime Rewards, AllClear Travel Insurance Careers , Autosmart International, Costain Group, Energy Saving Trust, Geberit, Hollywood Bowl UK, KP Snacks, Pennington Choices, Skills for Care, Thames Reach, The Flava People, UK Coaching!

If you want to join these companies that are paving the way in and be part of our , then get in touch here: https://orlo.uk/Lfjjl

We're excited to announce the latest group of companies recognised as "One to Watch"! This esteemed accreditation honours organisations with 'Good' employee engagement, as determined by their anonymous staff survey. It's a true mark of their commitment to building a more positive and empowering work environment, ultimately contributing to a better workplace for all.

Huge congratulations to ActiveQuote, Age Well East, Ashton Gate Stadium, Audit Scotland, Bone Daddies, Exeter Guild, Imago Venues, InsureandGo, Loughborough University Nursery Limited, Mobile Broadband Network Limited, Nottingham College, Nuvia Ltd., Ocean Holidays, Penrith Building Society, The Abbeyfield Society, The Royal Mint, UK Sailing Academy, Yorkshire Agricultural Society!👏

You're all champions in cultivating a thriving ! We're incredibly proud to celebrate your accomplishments.

Feeling inspired to join these employee-focused companies? Drop us an inbox message and learn how to get involved!

Give Dads the gift of time! ⏱️

According to UK law, employees can choose to take either one or two weeks paid paternity leave. To many, this is seen as drastically low for a time where it is key for new parents to bond with their child. Not only do many fathers feel that the amount of time allowed is not enough, but that the decrease in pay hinders them from being able to fully use their statutory leave.

Research show that 70% of dads can't afford full leave on statutory pay, whilst 9 out of 10 fathers are not emotionally ready to return to work in two weeks or less. We can also see from our data that employees who have access to enhanced paternity pay feel better about both their work/home life balance and the benefits on offer.

Our new article explores the benefits to our who offer enhanced paternity leave for dads, not only benefitting the families but the organisation too!

https://orlo.uk/ICVPD

Paternity Leave: The Gift Dads Want Newborns bring joy, but also a need for support. Companies are increasingly offering enhanced paternity leave, but is it just a feel-good gesture, or does it impact the business itself? This article explores the data, revealing how strong paternity policies can lead to a happier, healthier, and more...

500+ pubs poured their last pints in the UK in 2023, reflecting an industry undergoing significant change 🍺

According to feedback from the companies at this years BBPA event that our Senior Growth Specialist Sophie Tunstall attended, the wider industry is seeing an average turnover of around 90%, but companies in these sectors in the see an average turnover of 51%.

So now, more than ever, the Hospitality sectors needs to look at its retention practices and how companies can improve their understanding of what matters to their employees, and in turn create a more engaged workforce that's likely to perform better and stay in the sector longer.

Our new article delves into the reasons behind this ongoing trend, exploring the factors driving employees away and examining potential solutions to keep the heart of British pub culture beating strong.

https://orlo.uk/4Pzd9

Cheers to careers: A focus on retention When it comes to the Leisure & Hospitality and Food & Drink sectors, there's an ongoing challenge when it comes to retention of employees. In this report, find out the key drivers of engagement and understand what really matters to the people at the beating heart of these industries in 2024.

Your employees might be having fun, but a strong team goes beyond that! Our data shows a surprising trend: while overall team scores are high, aspects like trust and support within teams are dropping.

But there's hope! Some members are thriving by prioritising their teams. Swipe to see how Eficode, Danske Bank UK, gap personnel, Yorkshire Sport Foundation, and Learning Curve Group are achieving success, utilising their improved 'My Team' score to propel them to a 3* 'World Class' Accreditation status.

Download our FREE Team Index Calculator and see how your team stacks up!

https://orlo.uk/o1Ukv

Tired of the "Motherhood Penalty"? You're not alone. Many women face career setbacks after starting a family.

But there's hope! Our data shows some Best Companies are bucking the trend.

Here's what they're doing:

📈 Earlier promotions for women: They help women reach management roles before motherhood becomes a factor.
💰 Fair pay: They ensure equal pay for men and women in similar roles.
🙌 Growth opportunities: They offer training and development for women at all stages of their careers.
⚖️ Flexible working: They support working mothers with flexible work arrangements.
🤝 Equal Promotion Opportunities: They encourage career progression for all women regardless of parental status.

Read how Mowgli Street Food, Ghyston, Axiologik & big group are leading the charge, how the new Flexible Working Act benefits mothers and discover how to create a supportive workplace for all.

Ready to close the gap? Let's work together!

https://orlo.uk/gN6Ns

Mum Knows Best: Why Motherhood Shouldn’t Penalise Your Career For many women, the joy of motherhood can be accompanied by a harsh reality in the workplace: the ‘Motherhood Penalty’. There can be no doubt that this is a very real issue in UK workplaces. However, organisations in the Best Companies’ community are doing something quite different when it com...

The keeps growing, and we're thrilled to celebrate these 3-star achievers! ⭐⭐⭐

They've reached the pinnacle of , showcasing 'World Class' workplace experiences: Abri Community, Brabners, DF Capital, FSP Consulting Services Limited, Liaison Group, M. Lambe Construction Limited, Softwire, Sumo Group Ltd, Transparity, and Wales and West Housing! 👏 Congratulations!

Ready to elevate your employee experience?

Join the Best Companies Community and be recognised for creating a 'World Class' workplace. Start your journey today! https://orlo.uk/FKoAw

A significant 50% of organisations saw their Personal Growth score decline in 2023! 😮 This metric reflects how employees feel about training opportunities and their future prospects within the company.

This causes a ripple effect as Personal Growth is closely linked to factors like "My Manager" and "Fair Deal". Worryingly, 48.7% of companies also saw declines in these areas during the same period.

A lack of focus on Personal Growth seems to be hindering progress. Investing in employee development can lead to a positive ripple effect, boosting both employee morale and overall company success.

This , let's celebrate the power of investing in people! Our very own Best Companies family is a prime example of how upskilling employees leads to significant growth.

Let us know in the comments below if you have had any training or upskilling through work? ⬇️

Huge congratulations to the latest Best Companies achieving a 2-star accreditation for 'Outstanding' employee engagement! ⭐⭐

These organisations are truly going above and beyond to create incredible workplaces: Aspiration Training, Boden Group, CAE Technology Services, Capital Theatres - Festival Theatre, King's Theatre & The Studio, Curo, Empiric, JTP, M S Macbeth Ltd, Mane Contract Services, Modo25 Limited, Murphy Group, Namos Solutions, NHS Business Services Authority, OneSavings Bank, Ongo UK, Paradigm Housing Group, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, Property Hub Limited, Prospero Group, Reassured Ltd, VoucherCodes, Scottish Building Society, Sedulo, The Edmund Trust, Wilson Partners Limited, WUNDERKIND! 👏

Inspired to join this exclusive ?

Become a Best Company and be recognised for your commitment to happy & engaged employees: https://orlo.uk/wLB7n

Feeling lost about your company's goals? Your manager is the key to clear communication!

Great leaders create a vision, but great managers create clarity. They should be:
👏Motivating: Inspiring you to see the bigger picture.
💭Considering: Setting achievable goals & supporting you.
🗣️Conversing: Creating open communication & listening to you. ️
❤️Caring: Showing you matter, both in & outside of work.

Is your manager ticking these boxes?

Read our latest article with insights from "Is your culture delivering results?" and hear from industry experts Charlie Blakemore from Intercity Technology Ltd, Mark Adlestone, OBE from Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, Michael Lambe from M. Lambe Construction Limited, and Claire Webb from Advanced Supply Chain on how they created an environment where excellence thrives!

https://orlo.uk/4VNBL

Is Your Culture Delivering Results? The culture that you cultivate at your organisation can be the cause of your collapse or the catalyst of your success. Find out what the building blocks are for an exceptional culture and how some of the best in the business have created a way of working that helps their people, and the organisation...

We're thrilled to celebrate the latest companies achieving a 1-star rating for 'Very Good' employee engagement! ⭐

These organisations are setting the standard for happy and productive workplaces:

Affinity Fire Engineering, Brachers LLP, Bristol Airport , Brunel Group , Cairngorms National Park, Claremont Consulting Ltd , Daisy Communications, Fred Perry, Frettens LLP, Harbour Rock Capital, London & Partners, Longhurst Group, Origin Housing Sales, People's Partnership, Sleaford Quality Foods Limited, Stonewater UK, Talbots Law, The Recruitment Group, Totalkare, Zenith Group Holdings.

Want to join this exclusive club?

Become a Best Company and be recognised for your commitment to employee engagement. Start your journey today: https://orlo.uk/pnj6f

⚠️ The Motherhood Penalty ⚠️

As it is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, we've been looking into a harsh reality that many women face at work: the Motherhood Penalty. This means lower wages, slower promotions, and reduced job security compared to fathers. It's a problem that affects even the best in the world, like Olympic champion Allyson Felix.

Remember her story? In 2017, pregnant Allyson was offered a 70% pay cut by Nike to renew her contract. This experience, sadly, is far too common. Women often feel pressured to reach management positions before starting a family.

Our Best Companies data shows:

📣Women reach management roles earlier (26-34 age group) than men.
📣This suggests women accelerate careers to compensate for potential motherhood gaps.
📣By the 45-54 age range, men hold more management positions. This points to a struggle for women to progress after having children.

However, there is some good news! Best Companies organisations show a smaller male/female manager split from our data (46% female vs. UK average 35%).

This is possible by prioritising growth for women, with organisations like Mowgli Street Food offering support like phased returns and flexible work for new mothers helping women maintain momentum in their careers. Closing the pay gap, with our data showing women feel pay is unequal compared to male colleagues it's important for transparent pay structures and fair compensation.

Allyson Felix is a champion, and so are all working mothers. Let's work together to ensure motherhood empowers, not hinders, women's careers.

Massive thank you to Abby Mellors (Assoc CIPD) from Mowgli Street Food, Emily Hill from Ghyston, Stephanie Burridge from big group, and Sarah Bright from Axiologik for their input into this research. Read the article to find out more.

https://orlo.uk/IF5s0

Mum Knows Best: Why Motherhood Shouldn’t Penalise Your Career For many women, the joy of motherhood can be accompanied by a harsh reality in the workplace: the ‘Motherhood Penalty’. There can be no doubt that this is a very real issue in UK workplaces. However, organisations in the Best Companies’ community are doing something quite different when it com...

Is Your Company Culture Delivering Results?

Great leaders know culture is key to success. Engaged employees are more productive, creative & satisfied! But are you nurturing the right environment?

Download our free resources to assess your company culture and see how you can improve!

Here's what a strong culture can bring:

💡 Increased Productivity & Innovation
😆 Happy & Engaged Employees
🙌 Satisfied Customers
💭 Better Decision-Making
📈 Top Talent Acquisition & Retention

Read our latest article with insights from 'Reinforcing Clarity Through Managers' at our latest with Carole Urey from High Speed Training, Alex Sturge from UK Power Networks, Rachael Wallwork from Evolito, and Sam White from Costain Group.

Are Your Managers Reinforcing Clarity? How do you ensure that your organisation's purpose, strategy, and goals are being clearly communicated too all employees? Through your managers, of course! Find out all about 'The Miracle in the Middle', what makes a world class manager, and how they are the key to organisational clarity.

Can we get a drum roll please! 🥁 🥁 🥁

We're thrilled to unveil the newest cohort of 'Ones to Watch' companies!

This prestigious accreditation recognises organisations with exceptional , as judged by their own employees. It's a testament to their dedication to fostering a more positive and supportive work environment, ultimately making the world a better workplace 🌍

A huge congratulations to Go Ape!, Cubico sustainable investment, Edinburgh Leisure, Enable Leisure, Foresters Friendly Society, Harmony Fire, Integrated Care 24, SG Kleinwort Hambros, learndirect, Nominet, Open GI, Quick Release Automotive, Riverstone Living, Saffron Housing Trust Ltd, Scape, Startline Motor Finance Limited, Wacoal, Worcester City Council!

You're all leaders in creating a thriving ! We're incredibly proud to celebrate your achievements.

Inspired to join these employee-centric companies? Get in touch to learn how: https://orlo.uk/vDS0A

⚠️ The Motherhood Penalty ⚠️

We recently discussed the challenges mothers face in the workplace. The World Economic Forum defines the "Motherhood Penalty" as disadvantages like lower pay and limited promotions.

But here's a flip side: Maternity leave can be an upskilling opportunity for colleagues covering the role and a chance for returning mothers to showcase honed multitasking, communication, and leadership skills.

Our data shows:

💡 27% of surveyed women reach management roles earlier than men, suggesting "career sprinting" before maternity leave.
💡 A 10% drop in female managers at ages 45-54 compared to men, suggesting missed opportunities or career sacrifices.

It's time to bridge the gap! Businesses can support working mothers and leverage their unique skillsets to turn the motherhood penalty into the motherhood opportunity. Swipe through to hear from our world-class 3-star accredited companies Mowgli Street Food and Ghyston on how they are bucking the motherhood penalty trend.

Feeling disconnected from your company's goals? You're not alone. Our data shows a decline in employees connection to their organisations! 📉

Having organisational clarity means employees understand the company's why, how, and where. Here's how to achieve it:

🌍Define your purpose: Why does the organisation exist? How do you improve the world beyond just making money? Think "impact."
🤝Set core principles: What values guide your company culture? Keep it real, memorable, and impactful.
🎯Craft an outrageous ambition: Set a big, exciting goal that energises everyone and shows where the company is going. Aim high, but keep it achievable.
📋Develop an ingenious plan: Connect the dots! This plan outlines how everyone contributes to the big picture.

Clear communication is key. Leaders need to clearly communicate these elements and ensure managers reinforce them. This in turn will increase engagement, improve performance and result in a happier, more productive workforce.

Want to assess your clarity?

Take our FREE Organisational Clarity Assessment! It shows how well you're communicating your purpose, values, goals, and plan. Click here to download your free resource and build a stronger, clearer organisation!

How Do You Create Clarity at Every Level? What are the key elements that create effective Organisation Clarity? We discuss that here, as well as what the latest data shows us about how connected employees feel to their organisations.

Ready to transform your organisation? There has to be an intrinsic sense of achievement.

Watch the FREE insight session, "Building a Performance Culture," and discover how to create an environment where excellence thrives! Hear from industry experts Charlie Blakemore from Intercity, Mark Adlestone, OBE from Beaverbrooks the Jewellers, Michael Lambe from M. Lambe Construction Limited, and Claire Webb from Advanced Supply Chain

Join the today and catch up on all the insight sessions from the latest : https://orlo.uk/DcM7m

Are you seeking to reinforce and enhance organisational clarity within your company?

At our latest , during our third insight session, 'Reinforcing Clarity Through Managers' we heard from Carole Urey from High Speed Training, Alex Sturge from UK Power Networks, Rachael Wallwork from Evolito LTD, and Sam White from Costain Group. They shared their invaluable strategies and insights on how effective management can drive clarity and alignment throughout your organisation.

Organisations with low engagement score just 61% in manager performance assessments. Comparatively, World Class organisations score 95% in this field.

When managers do not feel empowered and confident to reinforce clarity to their teams, engagement can take a significant nose dive. Managers play a crucial role in organisational health. They must understand the importance of communication and be provisioned with messages that provide a clear shared purpose to align their teams to company goals.

Download our FREE team index calculator and Organisational Clarity assessments to find out how healthy your organisation is: https://orlo.uk/FRA0S