Freshminds is delighted to confirm that it has been awarded the Great Place to Work® certification.
Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. It provides the framework and certification for organisations who have created exceptional, high-performing workplaces where employees feel trusted and valued, and also provides training for companies hoping to achieve this.
Working towards – and maintaining – a Great Place to Work® certification helps employers to improve recruitment, retention and productivity by putting employees at the heart of the organisation, analysing what they think and feel and identifying the real issues that need to be addressed.
The certification, which was awarded to Freshminds in June 2023, followed a comprehensive employee survey and independent assessment of the results.
The Freshminds’ Great Place to Work Trust Index score was 89%, while 96% of employees agreed that Freshminds is a great place to work. Companies require a minimum Trust Index score of 65% to achieve certification.
Managing Director James Callander, who celebrated 20 years at Freshminds in April 2023, said:
"Having worked at Freshminds for over two decades, I have always believed it to be a great place to work – and so am now delighted that we are officially recognised as a Great Place to Work®. We believe that business means more than just delivering for shareholders – a great business is much more important than that. Helping people to grow, develop and be challenged – and delivering for clients – whilst having a great time doing it, is something we have always cared about. The Great Place to Work certification is testament to our company values and culture."
So what does Freshminds do well – to deserve this recognition? The survey covered assessments around integration, inclusion, communication and respect.
Amongst other positive results, the survey revealed a stunning 100% agreement on the following statements:
· When you join the company, you are made to feel welcome.
· People care about each other here.
· I am given the resources and equipment to do my job here.
· People here are treated fairly regardless of their gender.
· Our customers would rate the service we deliver as excellent
One employee commented:
“[A great quality is] Freshminds’ investment in people. The company really helps the people it wants to keep and treats them with respect. There is a lot of interest in having people reach the goals that they themselves set.”
On top of support for professional development, the consultancy reflects a fun and welcoming culture, with regular social events, away days, CSR activities, fundraising, incentive trips and subsidised activities. It also offers a generous sabbatical programme for employees reaching their 3- and 5-year mark.
Recent activities have included a sponsored run for MIND, and a Charity Quiz will be held in September of this year. Employees are encouraged to submit ideas for both CSR and team-building activities. A recent strategy meeting was followed by a lively Bake Off-style competition during which the whole team produced culinary masterpieces. Both Freshminds' clients and its extensive candidate network are regularly invited to speaker or networking events.
This supportive environment was noted in the survey. One employee said:
“The people really care about each other and care about delivering a good job for clients. You would struggle to find a group of people willing to work as hard for each other/our managers as at Freshminds”.
Edith Carmichael, Head of Team – Permanent Hire, commented:
“We’re delighted that Freshminds has been recognised as a Great Place to Work. Having a supportive and ambitious team who want to do the right thing by our clients, candidates and each other is one of the many things that make me proud to be a ‘Freshminder’.”
Now that the certification has been achieved – the focus will be on continuous improvement, in related areas including sustainability, personal development and training. There is no sense that the senior management team will be resting on their laurels. Adam Clements, Managing Director, looks forward to working on employee feedback and further improving the Freshminds workplace and culture.
"Great Place to Work® provides us with a very helpful content framework and timetable that will support our efforts to improve our business for all its stakeholders. The data collected and analysed in this recent process will drive many aspects of our business improvement agenda over the coming months."
