At the Heart of the Workplace Lies a Fundamental Truth
When women thrive, businesses thrive. This isn’t just a statement of principle; it’s a reality backed by data. Equity isn’t merely a metric to be measured. It’s a driver of innovation, retention, and long-term success. The pursuit of better workplace conditions for women isn’t about ticking a diversity box; it’s about unlocking human potential. Women […]
The #1 Workplace Must-Have in 2024 – Is your workplace doing this?
The Answer is – Having a Trust Based Workplace Culture. It’s no longer a nice to have, it’s a must if we wish to have a successful and thriving workplace. Having a strong workplace culture that is founded on trust is something that workplaces are now realising is not just sought after by top talent […]
Back To School: Supporting Working Parents
This coming week sees the start a new school year for many children across New Zealand. Whilst there will be plenty of excitement and tears (not just from the children) here are some thoughts on how organisations can support our working parents. Mind your bias When we think of workplace flexibility for parents of school-aged […]
From the MD: It’s A Matter of Trust
As the sun sets on 2023, I find myself at the intersection of reflection and anticipation. It’s been a year of immense growth and learning at Great Place To Work® ASEAN and ANZ. Reflecting back, what key lessons can we carry into the new year? Prioritizing Employee Well-Being We began 2023 with a dedicated focus […]
A 2023 Reflection: Celebrating Success & Planning for an Epic 2024
Year-End Parties: As we find ourselves in the midst of the festive season, social media is buzzing with glimpses of corporate Christmas functions and year-end celebrations. Before the #FOMO (fear of missing out) could set in, I was promptly reminded of our team’s extraordinary year-end gathering—a unique blend of 2023 reflection, big plans for 2024, […]
Celebrating International Volunteer Day: Build Pride & Connections Through Corporate Giving
This article has been adapted to suit an Australian audience and to celebrate International Volunteers Day, originally written by – Nancy Fonseca from Great Place To Work Canada. Corporate giving plays a pivotal role in fostering connections within an organisation. When people come together for a greater purpose, they build a natural connection that is […]
5 Signs Your Workplace May Be Leaving Women Behind and How To Fix It
Note: this blog has been adapted for an Australian audience from the original piece on the Great Place To Work US site. In Australia, recent data shows that the participation rate of men in the labour force has decreased to 71.1% and women have experienced a slight increase to 62.7% as of October 2023. […]
6 Practices that Enhance Workplace Experiences for Women in Australia
In today’s evolving Australian workplace landscape, we are witnessing a gradual transformation toward gender equity, yet reports still highlight disparities, underscoring the need for transformative action. Great Place To Work takes pride in assessing and spotlighting organisations committed to creating an equitable environment for women in the workplace. Our recent evaluation of Australian workplaces has […]
Leading Practices from 2023 Australian Great Place To Work Certified™ Community: Theme 3 – Next-level Flexibility & Benefits
The concept of a great workplace has undergone a remarkable evolution in recent years. No longer confined to traditional, one-size-fits-all approaches, today’s great workplaces prioritize genuine support and care from management. The key ingredients? Flexibility in the workplace and employee benefits that empower individual choices. Organisations are increasingly recognising the importance of allowing employees to […]
Successful Companies and their Unique Leadership Approaches
In the dynamic landscape of business, leadership plays a pivotal role in the success or failure of a company. Successful companies are not solely defined by their products or services; they are also distinguished by their unique leadership approaches. In this article, we will delve into the world of successful companies and explore the distinct […]
Leading Practices from the 2023 Australian Great Place To Work Certified™ Community: Theme 2 – Partnering with Underserved Communities to Address Talent Shortages
In a time marked by low unemployment rates and a robust labour market, it might seem surprising to hear that Australia is still grappling with persistent skills shortages. Yet, the 2023 Jobs and Skills Australia Report reveals that 36% of occupations are currently facing shortages, marking a 5% increase from the previous year. To tackle this challenge, […]
Band-Aid Methods: Why Superficial Workplace Fixes Aren’t Enough
Modern workplaces are fast-paced and constantly trying to become more efficient. Because of this, it’s not uncommon for organisations to resort to quick fixes and “Band-Aid” solutions when faced with workplace culture concerns and deep-rooted issues. There are several reasons why this occurs; They are relatively quick and easy to implement, require minimal resources, and […]
Cultural Safety in the Workplace: Fostering Inclusivity and Empowering Your Team
In our increasingly interconnected world, workplaces are becoming melting pots of cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. As this diversity grows, so does the need to ensure that each individual feels respected, understood, and valued. Enter the concept of cultural safety—a proactive approach to fostering inclusivity, where the workplace not only acknowledges but celebrates differences, laying the […]
Matching Leadership Styles to Business Goals: Maximising Organisational Success
In the ever-changing landscape of the business world, leadership plays a crucial role in driving an organisation towards its goals. However, effective leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Different leadership styles bring unique strengths and are better suited to specific business objectives. In this article, we will explore the various leadership styles and their best […]
May 2021 – Workplace ESG: How purpose in the workplace drives performance
It sounds too good to be true, but there’s a proven way to improve employee engagement, lift financial performance and help save the world all at the same time. Focusing on your workplace ESG, which stands for the Environmental, Social and Governance impacts of an organisation’s activities, is the key to delivering all three of […]
Leading Practices from 2023 Australian Great Place to Work Certified™ Community: Reconciliation Action for First Nations People
Key theme #1: Advancing Reconciliation Action for First Nations People With the date for Voice referendum due to be revealed imminently, matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is in the front of mind of many Australians. Irrespective of individual views on the referendum, the collective aim is to make practical progress in […]
Trust Matters Navigating Uncertainty: The Power of Leadership
In a time when fruit bowls and yoga classes have become synonymous with workplace wellness, it’s clear that the demands on leaders have evolved far beyond the ordinary. Amidst evolving challenges prompted by economic conditions, post-pandemic catch up, supply chain disruptions, the advent of AI, digitalisation efforts, the urgency for change and speed becomes imperative. […]
Closing the GAP! How Pay Transparency is Changing the Future of Pay-Day for Employees.
Times are changing and so is the way employees will be allowed to discuss pay rates in the workplace. The ‘Closing the Gender Pay Gap Bill’ was passed in March 2023 (1), which will enable Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) to start reporting annual gender pay gap publicly available from 2024 (2). This increased transparency puts […]
Embracing Adaptive Leadership: Navigating Change and Driving Growth in the Modern Workplace
In the swift-paced realm of modern commerce, traditional hierarchical leadership styles are gradually being superseded by the more malleable and dynamic paradigm of adaptive leadership. As organisations traverse the unpredictable seas of disruptive technologies and rapid market transformations, adaptive leadership, with its emphasis on continual learning, flexibility, and distributed accountability, is becoming an increasingly instrumental […]
Harnessing the Power of Interpersonal Skills in the Workplace: Building Stronger Connections for Success
In the ever-evolving realm of business, emphasis on technical prowess is being counterbalanced by the rising importance of interpersonal, or ‘soft’, skills. Given the shift towards collective ingenuity and synergistic problem-solving, these interpersonal abilities are of utmost importance in this new era. Forging Rapport through Communication and Attentive Listening Interpersonal skills are akin to an […]
5 Ways to Support LGBTQ+ Employees in the Workplace
In an expansive study involving almost half a million individuals, Great Place To Work® found that LGBTQ+ employees experience substantial psychological safety concerns in the workplace. Even in the most highly-rated environments, these employees felt emotionally and psychologically less safe by 7% compared to their straight counterparts. Furthermore, the data points towards a more challenging […]
First Impressions: Meaningful Onboarding to Foster Belonging & Pride from The Outset
First Impressions matter! Most good organisations attempt to create positive first impressions when welcoming new employees, but fewer have integrated onboarding processes that truly create strong connection between the employee and the organisation right from the beginning. Such onboarding processes provide valuable opportunity for the organisation to demonstrate its true workplace culture. GPTW Trust Index […]
Take the stress out of time off work – Top tips for employers
Taking time off work can be incredibly beneficial for employees’ mental and physical well-being. However, for many workers, the thought of requesting time off can be incredibly stressful. Many employees worry about how their request will be received by their boss or colleagues, or how their absence will impact their workload. As an employer, it’s […]
How to Relieve Stress: Tips for Employees, Line Managers and Organisations
It’s National Stress Awareness Month in April, and it’s essential to focus on the global public health crisis that is work-related stress. Work stress continues to be a significant problem in Australia, with recent research showing that it has become even more prevalent in the last few years. According to recent surveys, over 70% of […]
Why “Chronic Busy-ness” is a new pandemic
In today’s fast-paced work culture, it’s become a common trait to always be busy. Employees often wear their busyness like a badge of honour, believing that being busy is a sign of productivity and success. However, always being busy can be a toxic trait in the workplace, and in this blog, we’ll explore why. […]
How to attract and retain talent – For the hospitality industry
The hospitality industry is one of the most competitive industries, where attracting and retaining top talent can be challenging. With a variety of roles and positions available, ranging from entry-level positions to management positions, finding and keeping the right people can make all the difference. In this blog, we will discuss some tips on how […]
The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace: Creating a More Effective and Innovative Team
Diversity and inclusion have become increasingly important in the workplace in recent years. In a diverse and inclusive workplace, employees feel valued and respected for their unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. This leads to a more effective and innovative team better equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities. In this article, we will discuss the […]
4 Ways to Create Workplaces Women Won’t Want to Leave
If you want to recruit and retain this important demographic, follow in the footsteps of the Best Workplaces for Women. Great Place To Work USA have undertaken research showcasing some interesting statistics on women’s experience in the workplace, these statistics are similar to those experienced around the world, including here in Australia, so regardless of location […]
Fostering a Growth Mindset in the Workplace: How to Encourage Continuous Learning and Development
In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, having a growth mindset has become more important than ever before. In a growth mindset, individuals believe that their intelligence and abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication, leading to a desire for continuous learning and development. This mindset can be especially valuable in the workplace, where […]
The Importance of Employee Empowerment: How Giving Team Members Autonomy Can Boost Productivity
Employee empowerment is a vital aspect of any business, and it is essential for boosting productivity and engagement. Empowerment is the process of giving team members the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. This can lead to increased motivation, job satisfaction, and a sense of purpose among employees. In this article, […]
Creating a Culture of Transparency: How Open Communication Can Improve Business Efficiency
Transparency is a vital aspect of any business, and it is essential to create a culture of openness and honesty to improve efficiency and productivity. Open communication can foster a positive and collaborative work environment, where employees feel valued and engaged. In this article, we will discuss how to create a culture of transparency by: […]
A Fair Share of the profits – Everybody loves a bonus
It’s that time of the year, when managers and employees engage in some necessary conversations: performance reviews, goals and KPIs and probably the most anticipated, bonus entitlements. Our Great Place to Work TI survey trends show that, most organisations consistently struggle with employees’ perception of receiving a fair share of the profits. This should come […]
Building a Strong Company Culture: How to Foster a Positive and Productive Workplace
Company culture is the backbone of any successful organization. It is the set of values, beliefs, behaviors, and customs that shape the way employees interact with each other and with customers. A strong company culture promotes employee engagement, productivity, and job satisfaction, leading to a positive and productive workplace. In this article, we will discuss […]
The Importance of Goal Setting In The Workplace
Goal setting in the workplace is imperative for business success. Not only does the business as a whole need to have goals, but these goals also need to be broken down into smaller goals and milestones to be achieved along the way to reaching those bigger goals. There also needs to be goals set for […]
How to Fix a Major Cause of Employee Burnout
Burnout can have significant negative impacts on employee health, productivity and company culture. In order for your people and your organization to thrive, it’s important to keep a close watch on potential indicators of burnout. There are telltale signs of burnout that you can identify through a careful reading of your employee survey results and using HR analytics. Once […]
5 Tips To Help Your Employees With Mental Health
With all the pressures of a modern and fast-paced society in life and work, mental health issues among employees can sometimes be the result. In fact, employee mental health issues are on the increase, so there needs to be a focus to curb this rising trend. Not only does every employee deserve to be physically, […]
Employee Recognition Ideas To Help Improve Culture In Your Workplace
Take Staff Out For Lunch A simple way to express just how appreciative bosses are of their staff is to treat them all to lunch somewhere during a workday. A simple lunch together also works very well as a team bonding session and no doubt some of the discussion around the table will be work-related. […]
Top Tips For Increasing Employee Engagement
The start of a new year provides a golden opportunity for organisations to reinvigorate their workforce and set the tone for success in the months ahead. Employee engagement takes centre stage, emerging as a critical catalyst for productivity, innovation, and overall workplace satisfaction. Employee engagement is vital for employers and businesses to achieve. When employees […]
The future of work is not clickbait – so let’s get to work
What do Great Workplaces For All™ look like in the future of work? At the 18th annual Great Place To Work® For All Summit held in Orlando on October 11-13, a future positioned for all aims to recognize, foster, and support great workplaces across the globe for all working people. We share the key takeaways […]
Aug 2022: 2022 Best Workplaces – a peak behind this year’s list
Wellbeing, flexibility and inclusion were the watchwords for the 2022 list of Australia’s Best Workplaces™. Being named as one of Australia’s Best Workplaces cements an organisation’s reputation as among the best employers because the awards are based on the voice of employees. Great Place to Work® has surveyed more than 100 million employees over the past […]
June 2022: How Medtronic is using employee resource groups to build a trusting culture
How Medtronic is using employee resource groups to build a trusting culture Part of building a high trust workplace culture is ensuring people feel comfortable being themselves at work – and employee resource groups are an important way employers can make this true. For our June newsletter edition, we got the opportunity to speak to Medtronic’s Donia […]
6 Essential Leadership Skills for Workplace Success
Effective leaders have the ability to communicate well, motivate their team, handle and delegate responsibilities, listen to feedback, and have the flexibility to solve problems in an ever-changing workplace. Whether you’re starting out in an entry-level position and looking to move up the career ladder or you’re seeking a promotion, your leadership skills will be […]
The 5 Dimensions of Employee Well-being
By creating a climate of mental support, purpose, financial health, and meaningful connections, business leaders can provide a foundation for positive well-being that allows employees to flourish. Office gyms and meditation breaks are nice, but employee well-being is much more complex than physical fitness and mindfulness. Great Place to Work® partnered with researchers at Johns […]
12 Benefits of Getting Great Place To Work-Certified™
For HR leaders, there are few milestones that hold so much pride as becoming Great Place to Work-Certified™. It signals to the world that they have created a company culture that employees love. And when you become Certified, you earn more than just a shiny badge. Does your manager need some convincing? We’re here to help […]
April 2022: The rise of employer branding – what it is, why it matters and how to do it
What’s it like to work at your organisation? Do people feel welcome and included? Do you pay fairly? These are the kinds of questions being asked by the people you are hoping to recruit. And the answers they hear? That’s your employer brand. “Employer branding is simply what an individual thinks it’s like to work […]
Top communication practices for a decentralised workforce: lessons from Kennards Hire
As we grapple with the new world of hybrid, remote and flexible work, understanding how to successfully manage a decentralised workforce is critical. And there are few better examples of decentralisation at scale than Kennards Hire, as they strike the balance between face-to-face and leveraging technology. The third-generation family business runs some 190 branches across […]
Diversity & inclusion scorecard: how does your organisation stack up?
It’s not often we take time to take stock and think about how far Australia has come in terms of understanding and respecting the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion to our workplaces. But there’s little doubt the workplace of today is vastly different from even the recent past. We spoke to Lisa Annese, chief […]
Successful Hybrid Work Models Have These 5 Things in Common
Written by Zach D’Amato, Claire Hastwell Ready or not, hybrid work is here to stay. Employee surveys Great Place to Work® gathered throughout 2020 and into May 2021 reveal words such as “hybrid,” “flexibility,” and “remote” mentioned by more than 53,000 employees when asked what they like about their workplace or what could make their […]
Why Is Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace Important?
Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is more than policies, programs, or headcounts. Equitable employers outpace their competitors by respecting the unique needs, perspectives and potential of all their team members. As a result, diverse and inclusive workplaces earn deeper trust and more commitment from their employees. What is the difference between diversity & inclusion? Diversity […]
High-trust culture in action: lessons from Bellroy
Bellroy’s product launch could not have been more poorly timed. The Melbourne-based wallets and handbags designer had prepared an entirely new range of cabin bags, luggage and travel accessories planned for launch in April 2020, just as the COVID pandemic was grounding airlines and closing borders. But it is in times of crisis that values […]
What Gen Z Wants from Employers
Gen Z is coming to your workplace. The generation born between 1997 and 2012 may be just entering the workforce, but smart employers are already thinking about how their company culture can attract and retain Gen Z. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 16- to 24-year-olds made up 11.6% of the workforce in 2020, primarily in […]
From Our Global CEO : Great Place to Work Joins the UKG Family
Today marks a monumental day for myself, my team at Great Place to Work, and our mission of creating great workplaces For All™ around the world. I’m thrilled to announce that we’re being acquired by UKG Inc., a leading global provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions. I joined Great Place to Work in 2015 because the mission […]
Press Release : UKG Acquires Great Place To Work
World’s Most Trusted Authority on Workplace Culture Joins UKG Family in Combined Commitment to Help Organizations Build Better Workplaces For All Melbourne, Victoria, 2 September 2021 — UKG Inc., a leading global provider of human capital management (HCM) solutions, has acquired Great Place to Work Institute, Inc., the world’s most trusted authority on workplace culture with a mission […]
Corporate Giving Is Top Driver of Employee Experience at the Best Companies to Work For – Especially Now
One of the most impactful best practices from the 100 Best this year is generous community giving. WIIFM has become WIIFTC at the 100 Best. That is, the old adage that people are motivated by “what’s in it for me” (WIIFM) has transformed at this year’s Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®. In the wake of the […]
The Psychological Safety Issue Hidden in Your Employee Survey Data
Every person deserves the freedom to show up as their true self. And when employees bury their identities, it speaks volumes about the level of psychological safety in your workplace. When people choose not to reveal parts of their identity, they’re telling you a lot. At Great Place to Work® UK, we believe no […]
How to Measure, Monitor, and Sustain Employees’ Mental Wellbeing
As the UK moves towards the 1-year anniversary of entering into our first national lockdown, millions across the UK population have now had their first jab of the vaccine. Spring seems to have arrived on our doorstep overnight and the government’s recent step-by-step plan to end lockdown in England has brought a new sense of […]
How to Cultivate Psychological Safety in Your Workplace
“If you want a highly engaged, productive, happy workforce then you have to invest in your people. You’ve got to create this psychologically safe culture. It’s got to be created in your line managers, hiring executives, in the leadership, it’s got to permeate through this institution. And you know it pays back in so many […]
Remote Work Productivity Study Finds Surprising Reality: 2-Year Analysis
By Chandni Kazi and Claire Hastwell. Pre-pandemic, only 5% of American employees worked from home. In May 2020, that number shot up to over 60%. Our own survey of Fortune 500 executives shows a similar increase, from 16% to 65% of staff working virtually. This massive shift has stirred up questions about the future of work and most notably, […]
How Canva Uses Creativity and Company Vision to Keep Remote Employees Engaged
Based out of Sydney, Australia, Canva is a graphic design platform that makes it easy for anyone to bring their creative ideas to life. So, it’s no wonder the company is also focused on keeping things creative within the workplace. Crystal Boysen, people lead at Canva, says the company wants to be a place where […]
What are Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)?
“The social object that unites people isn’t a company or a product; the social object that most unites people is a shared value or purpose.” ― Nilofer Merchant, 11 Rules for Creating Value in the Social Era As workplace diversity and inclusion programs are becoming more prevalent, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are gaining in popularity. ERGs […]
How to Increase Employee Engagement Scores During a Crisis
Now is the time for organisations to look after the people who work for them. Build trust, respect, commitment and long-lasting teams with these critical leadership qualities and practices. It surprised us, too! Contrary to what many leaders may expect in a year like 2020, we’ve seen several of our clients’ employee engagement scores dramatically increase during […]
Creating a culture of recognition
Employee recognition has long been a cornerstone of effective management. But today, as the competition for talent escalates, how organizations value their employees has become more important than ever. Creating a recognition program is a start — so if you don’t have one, that’s a good first step! — but it’s not something smart organizations […]
The 6 Elements of Great Company Culture
The secret to attracting and holding onto the world’s best talent isn’t about the perks—it’s about relationships. With 98% of employees saying that Cisco is a great place to work, it’s no wonder that it’s the number one company on the 2020 World’s Best Workplaces™ list. But Cisco isn’t on the list because it takes perks to new highs. […]
How your managers can sustain trust during an economic downturn
Reliable and trusted leadership is crucial for enduring difficult times. Here’s how you can maximise the trust-building capabilities of your managers, so they can help you create an environment where every employee wants to give their best to your organisation. Earlier this week, I was on a Zoom meeting with a senior leader from a well-known global […]
How to Give New Teammates a Warm Welcome
Warm receptions are a secret weapon to thrive across a recession Hospitality isn’t usually considered a critical business capability, at least not beyond the hotel and restaurant industries. But it turns out that making people feel at home is a key to surviving and thriving amid downturns. Great Place to Work® research into the Great Recession […]
4 Ways to Support Employees’ Wellbeing
As a 2020 UK’s Best Workplace™ in Tech and recipient of Excellence in Wellbeing recognition, Acquiais an outstanding example of a company that cares. Below, Ana Kershaw, HR Business Partner EMEA at Acquia, shares how their award-winning culture has empowered employees to achieve work-life balance and support their wellbeing during their toughest year yet. 1) Put Flexibility Into Practice Early on, during […]