Insights from the UK's Best Workplaces™ by Sector
Key data and takeaways from outstanding workplaces in 11 sectors
Our survey data shows that 9 in 10 employees working at the UK’s Best Workplaces agree their senior leaders “fully embody the best characteristics of the organisation” – no matter what sector or size of company. Leaders of Best Workplaces practice transparency, decisiveness, and prioritising honesty over image. This is what builds trust – the critical ingredient of every great workplace.
As we release and celebrate 11 sector-specific UK’s Best Workplaces Lists throughout September, we'll be sharing insights into what makes these exceptional organisations stand out in their sectors in this report.-1.png?width=338&height=126&name=Newsletter%20-%20Headshot%20%20Name%20%20Title%20(1)-1.png)
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UK's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™
Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance™ are leading the way in creating more inclusive workforces who possess the key skills needed to push their business forward.
In contrast to the sector's reputation for high-pressure work environments, long hours and late nights, the UK's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance are also prioritising fun and camaraderie to boost engagement, wellbeing and motivation. What we’re seeing now is a movement towards the top performing companies offering fair pay combined with increased flexibility, and a culture that has embedded fun and enjoyment into the daily employee experience. Something as simple as team budgets for social activities, volunteer days, and workplace hobby groups are initiatives we’ve seen being implemented.
9 in 10
employees at the UK's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance say people are treated fairly at their organisation regardless of gender or race - compared to the sector average of 7 in 10.
“This is a fun place to work”
UK's Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance
80%
UK Sector Average
57%
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1 in 3
employees at a typical UK company within consulting and professional services say they “often think about looking for a job at another organisation”. On the other hand...
8 in 10
employees at the UK's Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services want to stay at their organisation "for a long time".
UK's Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services™
Every organisation strives to be one step ahead of their competitors, and this is especially felt in the professional services sector. By viewing employees as their greatest asset, leaders of the UK's Best Workplaces in Consulting & Professional Services work to ensure their projected employer image is aligned with employees' real, lived experiences of the workplace.
UK's Best Workplaces in Education & Training™
Data on education and training shows employees across the UK not only looking to quit their jobs, they’re leaving the sector entirely at an alarming rate. But through innovative learning and development strategies, the UK's Best Workplaces in Education & Training are fostering a thriving, engaged workforce who want to stay at their organisation.
% of teachers resigning from state schools
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The average turnover rate for the retail industry is 31% - that's 3 in 10 employees leaving their organisation.
UK's Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure™
Retail, hospitality and leisure are the backbone of consumer economies. And yet, the sector retains its image as merely a stopgap en route to one’s final career destination, and suffers extremely high turnover rates in relation to other sectors.
However, the UK's Best Workplaces in Retail, Hospitality & Leisure's effective leadership strategies and people-first cultures are helping them level up their retention rates and business success: at these organisations, 78% of employees want to stay with their employer "for a long time”.
UK's Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property™
Despite specialists in the fields of construction and engineering being in high demand across the country, gaps remain hard to fill. The UK Trade Skills Index 2023 estimates some 937,000 recruits will be needed in trades and construction within the next decade.
The leading cause of the scarcity: an ageing workforce. Many specialist qualifications and skills in these labour forces are currently in the hands of older employees who have more experience, but whose expertise isn’t necessarily being utilised to its full potential before they exit the workforce.
Some solutions we’re seeing from top-performing organisations are an active investment in their apprenticeship programmes; collaborating with education providers; established incentivised mentorship programmes, as well as adopting ISO 9001 or other standards to increase efficiency and aid in upskilling with training that aligns with best practice.
“I am offered training and development to further myself professionally”
UK's Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property
83%
UK Sector Average
52%
“I am given the resources and equipment”
UK's Best Workplaces in Construction, Engineering & Property
91%
UK Sector Average
70%
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UK's Best Workplaces in Charity & Not-for-profit™
UK charity and not-for-profit organisations have been long revered for their noble causes.
Creating regular opportunities for employees to connect to the company’s mission is a hallmark of top-performing voluntary sector organisations; understanding the positive impacts that come from being able to witness personally their work’s impact and feel a sense of pride in what they do.
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UK's Best Workplaces in BioPharma™
In many ways, the biopharma sector is flourishing. The UK remains Europe’s leading biotech hub in breakthrough life sciences start-ups. Yet despite the sector’s many international accolades, its people are experiencing higher levels of stress and risk of burnout than ever before.
The UK's Best Workplaces in BioPharma, however, recognise the importance of employee wellbeing, and put in place measures that help individuals defend against chronic stress, so that they (and the company they work for) can thrive.
44%
of UK employees in biopharma experience "excessive stress due to the demands of their job." On the other hand...
85%
of employees at the UK's Best Workplaces in BioPharma say theirs is a psychologically and emotionally safe place to work.
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UK's Best Workplaces in Healthcare™
Healthcare comprises some of the most fulfilling roles for employees, providing individuals with a deep sense of purpose and opportunities to make profound impacts on people’s lives during their most vulnerable moments.
However, there is no denying the relentless, mounting pressure those in this sector have endured – some, for decades. In fact, only around a third (34%) of the UK’s healthcare employees say the demands of their job don’t cause them excessive stress. The UK's Best Workplaces in Healthcare, however, are supporting their staff to experience decreased stress and sustained higher levels of wellbeing.
UK's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation™
Only 49% of UK employees in the manufacturing & production sector look forward to coming to work. When the data proves that happy, engaged employees lead to better business outcomes, that's a sorry state for both staff and organisations.
But some workplaces in the sector are rising above the rest. At the UK's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation, the number of employees who report a genuine sense of enthusiasm to come to work rises by 28 percentage points to 77%. Employee comments reveal what makes the difference at these organisations: supportive, empathetic managers and leaders.
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“People are encouraged to balance their work life and their personal life”
UK's Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing
95%
UK Average
61%
“This is a physically and psychologically healthy place to work”
UK's Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing
92%
UK Average
61%
UK's Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing™
Advertising, media and marketing cover a dynamic sector heavily influenced by rapidly changing consumer behaviours and emerging tech. Employees in these fields must constantly keep up to speed with the latest trends and push new, innovative and creative ideas to keep ahead of their competitors.
From mental health and psychological safety to job design and fulfilment at work – the UK's Best Workplaces in Advertising, Media & Marketing have implemented effective, holistic strategies able to target all dimensions of employees’ wellbeing, leading to a healthier, more engaged workforce.
UK's Best Workplaces in Tech™
The UK tech sector is well known for its generous flexibility, great pay, and highly sociable work environments.
By providing a more fulfilling and distinctive work experience for individuals and teams across the business, the UK's Best Workplaces for Tech are strengthening their employer brand and creating cultures that their employees don't want to leave.
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More insights in our latest publication
Discover the state of the employee experience in your sector, and how Best Workplaces are setting the standard and helping their people to thrive .
