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We are very proud to be launching The ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Good Employer Guide at a special inaugural event this month that shines the spotlight on best practice in the workplace.

This guide, which features 45 employers in a range of disciplines and sizes, offers fascinating insights into modern working cultures as companies look to respond to new challenges and opportunities. The firms listed in the guide had to provide information about the range of benefits they offer staff, and were asked to demonstrate how they go above and beyond for their people.

We know that, post covid, employers and employees have been asking fundamental questions about where, when and how best to work as teams and individuals. There are a huge range of different approaches to hybrid working we find in the guide, and it has been heartening to read about so many creative solutions – which in many cases are still evolving and improving.

The guide also reveals many well-considered strategies around training and staff wellbeing, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion policies. Again, the sheer variety of ideas and initiatives is uplifting to see.

Post covid, employers and employees are asking fundamental questions about where, when and how best to work as teams and individuals

Another trend we can see is that employers are increasingly committed to measuring the impact of their workplace initiatives, tracking the data and using it to keep improving. Many are committing to verification processes such as ISO accreditations or B Corp certification, with three-quarters of the businesses in this guide saying that they are subject to such independent scrutiny.

>> Also read: The ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ Good Employer Guide 2025: What does the data say?

Of course, as firms in the guide acknowledge, this industry with its chronic skill shortages has a lot more work to do in order to improve its image and become a sector of choice for ambitious, talented people at all stages of their careers.

For those looking to bring about change, this guide shows some truly impressive ways that leading firms are rejecting the traditional long-hours culture and breaking down barriers for under-represented groups. In short, it is a platform where companies can share the best of what they are doing.

We hope it inspires yet more firms to keep learning and improving so that the industry benefits from even more good employers.

Chloë McCulloch, editorial director, ¾«¶«Ó°ÊÓ