Special awards provide a chance to recognise organisations that have demonstrated exemplary performance or innovative practice in one of a number of areas. Organisations that show commitment to improving overall employee engagement and have developed programmes targeted at specific areas of their employees’ workplace experience.
Best Leader
This is presented to a leader in each size category who, according to their people, sets the best example; embodies the organisation's moral values and inspires people with positive energy. We determine the Best Leader by analysing the scores from the following b-Heard survey statements:
- I am inspired by the person leading this organisation
- The leader of this organisation runs this organisation based on sound moral principles
For each size category, we take an average of the scores for the above items. The leader of the organisation with the highest score in a given size category would be presented with this award.
Best Improver
This award is presented to organisations that have made the greatest improvement in their BCI (Best Companies Index) since the previous year’s final listings.
Giving Something Back
The Giving Something Back award recognises organisations with a particularly innovative approach to supporting charities and their local communities. We look for outstanding practice and good application in what they do in terms of charity work and volunteering and those that make great efforts to mitigate any negative impacts on the environment or enhance any positive impacts. We look for practices such as:
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An involvement in volunteering, with the organisation providing employees with both the time, encouragement and ability to do so, building connections with charity partners and making best use of programmes for employees to become involved in.
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Demonstrations of genuine commitments to the process, perhaps having dedicated teams that focus on the issues or through providing resources, time, money and people towards making it happen. They might also show this through passing on ideas and encouragement to their clients and suppliers, encouraging them to do the same.
Organisations that rank highly for the Giving Something Back Factor along with ones that may have made significant improvements in this factor, provide an initial shortlist. Cultural Insight submissions are then reviewed to determine the recipients of this award.
Learning & Development
The Learning & Development award highlights organisations making every effort to enable their employees to gain the skills and knowledge they need, not only to do their jobs well but to achieve their own personal goals as well as the organisation’s. We look for:
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Evidence that they support their employees to develop beyond their roles and stretch their capabilities (if they want to).
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Indications that they take steps to support employees to realise their ambitions, wherever they may lie – e.g., through non-work-related training, secondments etc.
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A creative and/ or innovative approach towards any of the above or any aspect of training & development.
Organisations that rank highly for the Personal Growth Factor along with ones that may have made significant improvements in this Factor provide an initial shortlist. Cultural Insight submissions are then reviewed to determine the recipients of this award.
Wellbeing
The award for Wellbeing is presented to organisations with a creative approach or particularly good application of a programme to positively improve all aspects of their employees’ health. We look for:
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Organisations where employee wellbeing is part of the culture and not compromised at any time regardless of circumstances. It is done because it is the ‘right thing to do’, not just ‘nice to have’ during better times.
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Flexibility in meeting employees’ needs in terms of workload and work life balance, indicating that employees can have a sense of control over their working lives.
Organisations that rank highly for the Wellbeing Factor, along with ones that may have made significant improvements in this Factor provide an initial shortlist. Cultural Insight submissions are then reviewed to determine the recipients of this award.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to organisations that have appeared in the top 10 for five consecutive years.
Special Recognition 10, 15 & 20 Year Awards
These Special Recognition awards are presented to organisations making it on to one of the national lists for 10, 15 or 20 years as applicable. The years do not need to be consecutive.
For additional support please email support@b.co.uk, call us on 01978 856222, or click the 'Get in Touch' button at the top of this page.