Churchill named in list of Best Small Companies to work for in the UK

For the second consecutive year, Churchill Retirement Living, the UK’s fastest growing privately owned retirement house builder based in Ringwood, has been named in the Top 100 Best Small Companies to work for in the UK by the Sunday Times. They were voted 28th out of a total of 567 companies embracing the views of more than 37,500 employees, making it the most comprehensive survey of its kind in the country. The newspaper announced the winners at a gala dinner in London last week.

Most creditably, Churchill Retirement Living had a top three score overall for the Wellbeing factor, proving how well it treats its workforce and how happy they are in their jobs – an important element which was also highlighted in November 2010 when the Company was a finalist in the Employer of the Year category in the National Business Awards UK.

Churchill Retirement Living was also the only ‘Homes Construction’ Company in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Companies to Work For listing, whose judging is stringent, and indeed the newspaper praises every company that takes the decision to enter and subject their organisation to such scrutiny.

Surveys are sent to all staff and at least 40% of these have to be returned for a company to be eligible. The survey contained 66 questions, measuring eight equally weighted workplace “factors” that have been identified from extensive research within the UK.

This research clearly demonstrates that a person’s experience of their workplace is a result of their perceptions in the following areas: Leadership, My Manager, Personal, Wellbeing (balancing work-life issues); My Team, Giving Something Back, My Company and Fair Deal (pay and benefits). These elements were used to determine the final company rankings.

In addition to the staff survey each company is judged on policies (pay; maternity; benefits; healthcare etc); processes (recognition; promotion; recruitment; communication etc); and facilities (sports; training; catering; concierge etc). The marks gained from the employee and company inputs were combined to produce an overall ranking.

In their report the judges showed that of the 173 people who work at Churchill, a huge 74% did not feel exhausted by the end of their day – a top score for this question. This led the judges to conclude that the Company really listens to its employees and has retained its family spirit (an 83% positive score).

Spencer McCarthy, Chairman and Group Managing Director of Churchill Retirement Living believes that staff happiness is the key to Churchill’s success: “I have always had the philosophy that if you treat people as you – or more importantly, they – want to be treated, you get a lot more from them,” he says. Employees said that the Company does not take advantage of them (79%), and it is made clear what is expected of them (86%). A balance between work and home life wins an 82% score.

“To be recognised once again, as one of the UK’s top 100 companies to work for is a fantastic accolade for every single member of Churchill Retirement Living,” continues McCarthy. “The culture of any company is its lifeblood. For our employees to be so supportive of our management and motivational culture is a major factor in the Company’s ability to continue growing and indeed for every individual who works at Churchill to grow with us.

“To have attained this status in the current tough economic climate is quite incredible, and goes to show just what a fantastic team we have at Churchill.”