"The best work never was and never will be done for money." John Ruskin

We knew Star was a great place to work, and now it's official! Star was named the third best small company to work for by The Great Place to Work® Institute's UK Best Workplaces Programme 2012! And we were shortlisted for two awards in the Special Awards categories too! Let us explain...

(Any quotes you see in italics are taken from Star's Great Place to Work® 'Employee Comments report.' They belong to Star employees, we're just not allowed to know who).

The Great Place to Work® Institute UK is part of the world's largest consultancy specialising in workplace assessment and enhancement; every year it surveys some 5,000 organisations globally, representing around 10 million employees, and runs the 'Best Workplaces Programme' - the largest of its kind in the world. Unlike other organisations, they survey both employees and management; they look at the ways managers use policies, initiatives and practice to create trust, credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie, and how employees feel about their efforts.

This year, 75 companies met the criteria that define a great place to work. Their people: 

Trust their management

Have pride in what they do

Enjoy working with their colleagues

And 'achieve organisational objectives with employees who give their personal best and work together as a team or family, all in an environment of trust.'

Each company was assigned a category - small, medium or large - depending on company size. And that's where the fun began! After a turn on the London Eye in our finery, Star journeyed with all the other companies to the ceremony's venue - the beautiful Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich - via boat in the sunshine. A lavish dinner preceded the awards ceremony, made much louder by Star (we like to applaud) and our characteristic enthusiasm (the organisers told us we set the evening's jubilant mood; we're proud of that too).

To report that we came 3^rd in the 'best small company' to work for category is quite the understatement. In every way, Star is about people. Our job is to listen to people, understand what they want, and then introduce them to other likeminded people. We know that a positive environment is important and that the most successful people are personally invested in a job they enjoy; it's not just about money. With this in mind, we're probably more aware than most of our own culture's health and our employees' happiness. For us it's not about having programmes and policies - everyone has those. It's about making them live and breathe, and making sure that everyone feels the benefit of them. People we work with know what a great place Star is to work, but it's hard to prove it to everyone else; this award helps us do that.

"The sense of family and friendship here is overwhelming; we always meet up outside of work. My job is more than just a job."

Star was also a finalist for two 'Special Categories' awards; this means that we were amongst the 6 highest performers of all 75 companies! The 'Most Trusted Leadership Excellence' award recognises organisations that can show leaders' efforts to create a high trust culture. 

"I believed I understood how the industry operated and the best way to run an office, but I've been taken aback by the level of positivity and friendliness in the office, as well as the amount of support I can receive on a day to day basis, often without asking for it. There is no divide between management and staff, with everyone engaging each other on a day to day basis."

The 'Health and Wellbeing Excellence' award commends organisations that demonstrate a genuine sense of caring for its employees' health and wellbeing. In particular, it assesses the support and benefits they make to promote a healthy lifestyle while providing and actively encouraging a good work life balance. 

"Whenever I need support, advice or items/equipment to help with my work, it is always given. I feel honoured to be a member of the Star family, and hope the company is recognised for everything they do for their staff..."

All in all, we're really pleased with those results. We love our jobs and get on brilliantly. And there's no better foundation for success than that.

"The people who work here make it a special place to be. I can't imagine another work environment where the employees are so close, but work to such a high standard professionally."

Thank you to Great Place to Work® for its insight; you've given us a great base to improve from. And to everyone at Star who makes it such a special place to work.