8 Best Practices of Companies Where Employees Love to Work

Ever wonder what it takes to create a company where employees love to come to work every day? What would it mean to your company’s outcomes if your employees loved to come to work everyday and were enthusiastic, energized, and committed to your success? 

The benefits of being a Most Loved Workplace are many, and some quite obvious:

-Higher employee retention rates

-Increased employee productivity

-Employee brand exposure

-More easily attract & hire top new talent

-Stronger culture

We’ve analyzed the 100 Most Loved Workplaces® and found these 8 best practices. Read on to learn these best practices and great examples of companies that are demonstrating them.   

1. Systemic Collaboration

Employees that frequently collaborate with one another foster an environment of trust, teamwork, and support. Systemic collaboration goes beyond just collaboration, it ‘gets to the core of true and functional collaboration – where collaboration becomes a part of the inner workings of the organization and its decision-making process.’ (Check out In Great Company for more!)

The output from systemic collaboration is better – as multiple different perspectives and skill sets are contributing to the overall success. And collaboration should happen both professionally within the work environment as well as can be in an extracurricular trip or social event. Establishing relationships within the company makes employees feel more inclined to stay long-term and perform to high standards. Read on for a couple of examples of companies who have demonstrated systemic collaboration. 

Informa

Informa, a Most Loved Workplace®, has built systemic collaboration into its DNA. Informa has made it a priority to combine the strengths of their employees to create stronger business outcomes. Their systemic collaboration expands across all their teams, and new ideas from employees across the entire organization are embraced and considered thoughtfully.

The leadership at Informa has enabled this systemic collaboration with technology such as Microsoft apps and a social intranet. These technologies allow Informa’s employees to communicate with one another when not physically together. By doing this, projects stay on track, and everyone is updated. 

Jumo

Jumo, a financial technology company, makes it a priority to build collaboration into their everyday activities. This starts with the collective ownership by all employees of the company’s mission – ‘JUMO is powering an unparalleled banking technology platform that’s building prosperity for people and partners.’ 

Jumo builds collaboration into their culture and way of working by running workshops with external coordinators to build stronger collaboration and communication skills to make performance more efficient. It’s not uncommon for employees to regularly bounce ideas off one another and lend a helping hand to a colleague’s project. 

2. Positive Vision of the Future

Employees want to work in an organization that has and can clearly communicate a positive vision of the future. Employees want to have an idea of what the future looks like, and what it means to them. And it goes without saying, employees want that vision to be a positive one that they can get excited about and look forward to. 

To be a Most Loved Workplace®, it’s important to maintain a positive vision of the future of the company for motivation, morale, and retention. A positive vision of the future helps to unify all of the employees to work together to achieve results. Here are a couple of companies that have created a positive vision of the future for their employees. 

Hudl

Communication is key for Hudle when it comes to sharing their positive vision of the future. They ensure that everyone knows exactly how the company is performing, the positive impact the employees are having, and how they intend to progress. 

Hudl does this through:

1. Yearly leadership meetings
2. Weekly leadership briefings
3. Monthly all-team meetings
4. Quarterly product alignments
5. Biannual all company retreats

Gympass

Companies like Gympass focus on creating and communicating a universal company mission. This company mission helps employees understand what they are working towards and increases team motivation. Gympass makes their central mission, to make well-being universal, a key element of all communication. 

Gympass’s shared company mission has helped to create a culture that is authentic, drives enthusiasm across the company, and motivates employees to bring their best selves to work each day. By sharing and staying focused on their company mission, the Gympass team has created a positive overall company culture. 

3. Company Respect

Respect is absolutely key. In order for employees to thrive and feel passionate about their work, they need to feel respected. Without it, you’ll have a team doing the bare minimum without giving 100% efforts to meet the goals of the business. 

While you may think respecting your employees goes without saying, there are some companies that show it better than others. And showing mutual respect is at the heart of your business and your values. Let’s take a look at how some of our top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® execute this.

Experian

It can be hard to know how to actively show your team respect. However, Experian has won its spot on our top 100 list because of its excellent EmPower program. This program is designed to give every employee a voice, regardless of their department. 

Having this program in place means if a team member identifies something within the company that needs improving, they can bring it to management’s attention and suggest innovative ways to move forward. 

As the name suggests, this empowers every single team member. Knowing their voice will be listened to shows a high level of respect.

Amdocs

A key element of company respect is equality and fairness. Without this, it’s guaranteed certain members of your team will feel isolated. Amdocs have attempted to tackle this issue with their employee network groups.

These groups are set up to connect employees with shared experiences and identities that can impact their day-to-day life, especially at work. It includes an LGBTQ+ group and a Black Professionals group. 

4. Growth Culture to Drive Killer Outcomes

Companies that create a growth culture with supportive strategies and programs can help to drive killer outcomes. A company that helps individuals grow in their careers with not only training and education, but also an environment where all employees have a chance to voice opinions and concerns, is a culture where employees will flourish and grow. 

A healthy, nurturing workplace will want to see their employees grow into the best version of themselves. Training, assessments, and feedback programs give valuable insight into how an employee can improve in order to progress through roles. Read on for a couple of great examples of companies that have created these growth cultures. 

ADM

This Most Loved Workplace® is big on mentoring its employees, giving them plenty of guidance and feedback and even its own ‘development plan’ for every individual. This makes employees feel unique and that each individual person can bring something different to the table.

ADM also hosts ‘talent talks’, consisting of managers talking in depth about each employee and whether they are in the right role to harness their strengths. As well as this, ADM understands that their workers have passions outside of the office and will offer support in these areas.

DataLink Software

DataLink is proud to state that they always promote internally and have a record of promoting 20 existing employees within just 6 months. This provides significant job security as well as career development support. They see their employees for all they can be and are not scared to take a chance on them.

Additionally, as soon as an individual is welcomed into the DataLink family, they have full access to LinkedIn Learning. This platform has a vast number of courses that employees can complete in their own time to hone their professional skills as well as any other hobbies or interests they may have.

5. Alignment of Values

One of the biggest things that attracts employees to a company is how well their personal values align with the company values. If what you stand for as a company resonates with individuals, they will be much more passionate about working with you to achieve your mutual goals. 

To begin their journey to success, every organization must have a clear idea of what their values are. What are they hoping to achieve? What process will they adopt to get there? The Most Loved Workplaces® featured on our top 100 list all know exactly what they are, what their values are, and how this attracts compatible employees.

Amplifon

Intentionally listening to their workers was a big priority at Amplifon as they created their organizational values. In fact, they launched a global project in 2017 to get valuable feedback and use it to influence their values as a company. They hosted several workshops to finalize those values and now those same values genuinely represent the heart of their culture, based on customer experience, collaboration and ambition. 

To reinforce their beliefs, Amplifon only hires candidates that reflect those same values. They have established 5 main ones that are taken seriously and put into action every day:

1. Customer Devotion
2. Personal Impact
3. Everyday Excellence
4. Forward Thinking
5. Acting Responsibly

Cloud Technology Solutions (CTS)

CTS’s company values were established with direct input from their employees. Essentially, their employees established the values the whole organization held dear and applied them to their practices and goals. 

Having a company so open and willing to shift and change according to their employees’ views can be risky, but CTS has managed to approach it responsibly and realistically. They believe that no company should tell their employees who to be, and it provides an opportunity to learn and grow.

6. Employee Appreciation Programs

The most successful companies are those that have programs to show employee appreciation and ensure key employees feel recognized. There are many benefits to recognizing employees and making them feel appreciated. Quite frankly, employees who feel appreciated are more inclined to produce high-quality work and stay at the company long term. 

Check out these companies that have created employee appreciation programs. 

Canon

Canon has a unique company practice called ‘Spirit Awards’ that celebrates employees who do that bit extra. It demonstrates that they are at Canon because they are passionate and share the same company values and are there not only for a paycheck, but also for the greater good.

Canon also hosts an employee development program that supports ongoing professional development to build skills, experience, and confidence.

EQRx

The culture at EQRx is vibrant and diverse. They understand that to get the most valuable perspectives, they must listen to as many viewpoints as possible in terms of race, gender, and background. 

EQRx has a term for their inclusive company culture called ‘tapestry’ and displays the unique stories of every employee at the company. As their team grows, the tapestry will also grow and become more colorful. This is an excellent company practice that demonstrates how important all employees’ voices are. 

7. Strong Executive Leadership 

Effective leadership from the CEO and the rest of the executive team is important and depending on the company culture, different leadership styles will be more successful than others. As a leader, it is important to know if you are doing all that you can to lead and support your team. If not, your employees will lack trust in your methods and look elsewhere for better work opportunities.

There are many aspects that go into a good CEO, including:

1. Leading with love
2. Providing employee resources
3. Encouraging a healthy work-life balance
4. Having genuine conversations

Here are just a few examples of exceptional CEOs. 

Eaton

Eaton’s CEO Craig Arnold leads by example by committing to his company’s Catalyst CEO Champions for Change Initiative, which pledges to get more women into senior roles. Arnold has also worked to launch the Second Chance Business Coalition (SCBC) to increase employment opportunities for those with previous criminal convictions. 

Leading by example demonstrates that you put words into action, and therefore, any promises that are made can be held accountable to actually happen. In this case, Eaton’s CEO proves that he cares about his values and will put in the time and effort to make them a reality.

Findel Education Ltd

Findel’s CEO, Chris Mahady, is said to always be on the floor with the employees, helping where he can and encouraging teams to be ambitious and aim high. He encourages the company to have fun along the way and makes customers, colleagues, and suppliers his number one priority. He listens intently and always has an open door. 

Customers and colleagues feel comfortable talking to him about any concerns knowing that they will not be held against them and Findel will find a solution. 

8. Meaningful Benefits

Most employees go to work because they have to, for a paycheck. But benefits can be equally as important to workers. And benefits continue to evolve as companies strive to provide unique, effective benefits for employees to be attracted to.

Depending on the organization, some benefits can be unlimited time off, remote work, or wellness programs. If the perks align with prospective candidates, they will be much more likely to apply and thrive within the company.

There are many benefits out there that companies can draw inspiration from, but it is best to conduct employee sentiment surveys and hear first-hand what matters most to employees. This guarantees that whatever perks and incentives you introduce are actually beneficial. 

Read for some great examples of companies that provide meaningful benefits. 

Helaina

Helaina is the first company to make proteins found in human breast milk. And they believe that families should have freedom of choice. They have created a flexible, inclusive workspace and are committed to supporting their team’s health, wellbeing and professional development at every stage and milestone. 

Here are some of the benefits Helaina offers:

1. Full medical, vision, and dental coverage
2. Dedicated pumping room
3. Unlimited vacation days 

Incyte

Incyte is another company that understands how challenging it can be for parents to find affordable child care that fits their schedule. They offer a concierge service for those seeking care for either their children or parents. 

They also provide extensive physical well-being programs that include massage therapy, on-site fitness classes, and support for chronic back and joint pain. 

To keep employees healthy far into the future, Incyte provides preventative care for hypertension and diabetes, which can be hugely detrimental to team members and their wellbeing in the workplace and at home.

Final Thoughts

To conclude, it is clear that our top 100 Most Loved Workplaces® share similar best practices when it comes to creating environments where employees feel valued, motivated and empowered. 

By adopting these, businesses can invest in employees and create a positive work culture that not only benefits the individuals but also contributes to the overall success and growth of the company. 

If your business wants to become a loved workplace, you now know what best practices to incorporate into your business to make the cut. And when you are ready, consider applying for the Most Loved Workplace® certification by submitting your company’s registration.