Top Employers status is a true mark of excellence in employee conditions. In order to participate, a company must meet the entry criteria, determined by a prescreen discussion.
“We’re looking to see whether they’ve got specific practices in place,” explains James Gooding, assistant manager of UK operations at Top Employers. “HR supported by technology is something that’s becoming more and more common, and we’re looking to see if their practices are supported by executive management. It’s about linking practices to processes: for example, is performance management linked to remuneration?”
Following that initial conversation, companies go through a certification process, based on in-depth research into their employee conditions across nine areas of HR: talent strategy; workforce planning; on-boarding (induction); learning and development; performance management; leadership development; career and succession management; compensation and benefits; and culture. Documentation is submitted towards the end of the summer, to be analysed by the Top Employers team.
Then there’s a validation process, which can either take the form of a discussion or a visit.
“We start pulling together the sort of things we’d like to cover with the participants during validation,” says Gooding. “Some companies get on-site validations where we look at their systems. We say: ‘Take us into your intranet,’ or ‘Can you show us your succession planning tool?’ Maybe we’ll ask to be shown communications between executive management and the workforce concerning a new initiative that’s being rolled out.”
Only those employers that reach the required level are certified – which means they can use the Top Employers certification seal for one year.
Even those who miss out on certification get in-depth feedback, with insights, analysis and suggestions on how their company can improve. The idea is to ensure that as companies develop, their people develop personally and professionally too.
Top Employers 2016
AB InBev UK Limited
Global leader in brewing, with excellent talent strategy practices
Abbott
Pharmaceuticals and healthcare company that has invested heavily in its compensation and benefits offerings
AkzoNobel
Global paint and chemicals company that recognises and values fresh ideas from employees
Alphabet (GB) Ltd
Commercial fleet firm known for its corporate social responsibility initiatives
Amadeus Marketing UK LTD
Global provider of IT and technology services to the tourism and travel industry, with career opportunities across Europe
ASDA
UK supermarket chain that promotes leadership diversity, with strong LGBT engagement practices
Avanade UK LTD
Provider of technology solutions, focused on sound learning and development practices for employees
Aventis Pharma Limited
French multinational pharmaceutical company, focused on developing talent and providing a comprehensive range of benefits.
Bentley Motors
Luxury car company, renowned for its apprenticeship schemes and effective CSR initiatives
British American Tobacco UK
UK Tobacco group with a global learning zone available to all staff
BSH Home Appliances
The largest manufacturer of appliances in Europe, known for its commitment to ethical and environmental issues
Bureau Veritas UK
Global professional services company offering excellent international career prospects
CGI UK
IT and business process services company offering sponsored business and IT degrees
CHEP UK Limited
Global pallet supplier, with a range of employee development tools and training to enable progression throughout the business.
Chiesi
Pharmaceuticals company that prioritises professional and personal development
Cognizant
Multinational IT consulting company, with excellent learning and development programmes
DFS
Sofa and soft furnishings retailer, known for its high-quality employee learning and development programmes
DHL International (UK) Limited
UK Global logistics company with excellent development opportunities for staff
Dimension Data
IT services provider, offers good career progression to management positions
Eni International Resources Ltd
Resources recruitment arm of global energy company Eni, which offers valuable international opportunities
ERIKS UK
UK industrial service partnership firm with international engagement initiatives, aimed at delivering high levels of internal promotion
Estée Lauder Companies UK
UK global cosmetics company focused on strong diversity initiatives
Fidessa PLC
British financial services software company with strong leadership development programmes
Goodyear Dunlop Tyres UK
UK Global manufacturer with progressive HR practices
Harrods
Iconic department store, famous for its use of innovative technology and apps to engage staff
HCL Technologies
IT services provider, a pioneer of the “employees first” approach
Heineken UK
Global brewing company renowned for its high-quality employee development practices
Homes for Haringey
Forward-thinking public sector company, focused on building a strong culture
IG
Online financial derivatives provider, with a strong focus on international career opportunities
IHG Corporate
British multinational hotels company that deploys technology in its performance management practices
Informa
Multinational publishing, business intelligence and exhibitions company offering comprehensive professional development, and employee recognition initiatives
ING Bank
Wholesale bank located in The City, with a strong commitment to improving work-life balance of employees
J D Wetherspoon
Pub chain owner that supports staff with professional qualifications and offers good career opportunities
JTI
Tobacco firm with good all-round employee offerings and a heavy emphasis on company values
KFC
Fast food business known for its flexible working practices and fast-track career progression
LeasePlan UK
Fleet provider committed to high levels of employee engagement
Manchester Metropolitan University
First university to achieve Top Employer certification, known for its diversity, providing a centre of excellence for learning and teaching
Molson Coors Brewing Co (UK) Ltd
International brewers offering valuable apprenticeships and industrial placements to young people
Nice-Pak International
Manufacturer and supplier of wet wipes which aims to create a workforce delivering environmental and ethical best practice
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Global healthcare company that promotes bespoke learning opportunities to graduates
Olympus KeyMed
Medical equipment company, notable for its outstanding onsite childcare facilities
Orange Business Services
Part of mobile telecommunications giant that prioritises flexible working and technology for global workplace connectivity
PepsiCo UK & Ireland
Renowned for high-quality cultural practices and diversity initiatives, and for supporting women into senior roles
Pfizer Limited
Global pharmaceutical company offering customisable benefits packages, and an environment that fosters growth and development for employees
Philip Morris International
Tobacco firm that promotes and encourages international mobility across the organisation
Phoenix Group
Life assurance consolidator with good leadership development schemes, and impressive on-site facilities
QVC UK
Multimedia retailer that lists “fun along the way” as a core organisational value
RM Plc
Education technology provider that underpins people practices with its company values
Roche Diagnostics Ltd and Roche Diabetes Care Ltd
Part of global healthcare company Roche, manufacturing equipment for research and medical diagnostics, focussed on ensuring growth and sustainability of employees
Roche Products
Healthcare company, known for smart use of technology and high-quality benefits
SABIC
International petrochemicals manufacturer which has the Young SABIC Professionals society to support new graduates
Sacker & Partners LLP
Law firm specialising in pension law, focused on strong employee support and work-life balance initiatives
Saffery Champness
Chartered accountants with its own school leavers development scheme
Saint-Gobain
Innovative construction materials firm that encourages self-directed learning
Santander
Banking giant with its own Santander University and excellent career development initiatives
SAP UKI Ltd
Global software company that offers strong leadership development initiatives with robust compensation and benefits offering
STANLEY Security
Cross-industry security provider, with strong employee diversity practices
Tata Consultancy Services
Global IT consulting firm which uses gamification as part of training, with offices in 44 countries
Tate & Lyle Sugars
UK-based global manufacturing company, known for their commitment to CSR and work within their local community
Technip UK
Global services provider to the energy trade, with staff development university
Thomson Reuters
Multinational media and information firm, with excellent internal employee communication and networking tools, and commitment to diversity
Travis Perkins Plc
Building supplies firm with a staff awards scheme that recognises excellence in the workplace
UniCredit
Leading commercial bank with global talent and leadership programmes
Valeo UK
Automotive component supplier, committed to employee recognition and investment in individual development
Vauxhall Motors
Proponent of employee engagement and gender diversity that offers programmes aimed at encouraging more women to join the industry
Virgin Trains East Coast
Train operator renowned for its well-rounded HR practices, and a range of outstanding well-being practices to support their workforce
Virtusa UK
IT company that fosters an international culture of staff collaboration and personal growth
Volkswagen Group UK Ltd
One of the UK’s largest importers of vehicles, VW operates its own staff development and training academy
VSG
Security provider with market-leading facilities for staff training and development
Weightmans LLP
Law firm offering attractive employee benefits, promoting strong company values around teamwork and respect
Whitbread
Multinational hospitality company, with a comprehensive range of employee benefits and training schemes
