at Winnerswork

The results are in! Seven businesses have been selected in the inaugural list of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Cornwall, a partnership between Business Cornwall magazine and the Best Companies Group. This regional survey and awards programme was designed to identify, recognise and honour the best places of employment Cornwall.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfil the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a publicly or privately held business

• Have a facility in Cornwall

• Have a minimum of 15 employees working in Cornwall

• Must be in business a minimum of one year Companies from across the Duchy entered the two-part process to determine the Best

Places to Work in Cornwall.

The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation.

The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process and analysed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings.

If you think your business has what it takes to be named one of the Best Places to Work in Cornwall, we will be launching the 2024 search later this year.

Employee Satisfaction Survey

Employees were asked 77 questions across eight subject areas to benchmark their satisfaction levels. The results from the seven firms that made the cut demonstrate high levels of satisfaction across the piece.

Leadership: 96%

Corporate Culture & Communications: 93%

Role Satisfaction: 95%

Work Environment: 92%

Relationship with Supervisor: 96%

Training Development & Resources: 90%

Pay & Benefits: 81%

Overall Engagement: 95%

Survey Average: 92%

Whyfield

Chartered Accountancy

Head Office: Truro

Employees: 17

Days annual leave: 26 www.bestplacestoworkincornwall.com

Early last year, Whyfield made a pledge to its team, ensuring they feel supported with all aspects of their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

The ever-increasing package of benefits includes a range of perks with staff wellbeing firmly in focus.

In addition to comprehensive health care cover, the accountancy firm has also partnered with Newquay Sports Centre to put together a comprehensive two-year plan that covers bi-monthly health and wellbeing events. These events include nutrition and habit seminars, selfdefence classes, and outdoor sports sessions.

Whyfield also understands how important its teams’ working relationships with each other are, and has a busy social calendar with opportunities outside of the office to switch off and have some fun, from cocktail nights to go-karting.

WHAT THREE THINGS DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DO FOR YOU THAT YOU LOVE?

• Team days out

• Social events

• A welcoming office environment

Other staff-friendly initiatives include a four-day working week and a ‘duvet day’, where you can take an additional day off without having to give any notice. Team buffet, healthy drinks, eye-test vouchers and even an exercise bike with a builtin desk all go to help make Whyfield one of the Best Places to Work in Cornwall.

Naked Solar

Solar energy company

Head Office: Newquay

Employees: 38

Days annual leave: 28

Naked Solar clearly recognises there is more to life than money. Both in the approach to customers and team members there is clear recognition that life is about being happy and should not be measures in pounds and pence. That’s all you need to know, the rest just makes sense when you know what the focus is.

WHAT THREE THINGS DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DO FOR YOU THAT YOU LOVE?

• The willingness of all team members to help each other without hesitation.

• Monthly 1-2-1 with line manager

• Team days and team reward trips

The Naked Solar team is focused on helping each other, everyone always takes time to help colleagues with any questions or help that they need. Every team member has a one-to-one with their line manager every month to ensure they’re happy at work and discuss any ideas for improvement. They also get a ‘Skip 1-2-1’ with the MD every six months – so there is a recourse route should they have any issues with their line manager.

Structured career progression processes are continually being developed, giving everyone in the team the opportunity to improve and progress. Workers also have the opportunity to role swap and gain experience of all the roles in the company, which greatly improves everyone’s understanding of the challenges faced by colleagues.

As well as a ‘goody cupboard’ for ad-hoc rewards, a couple of times a month there’s a free drink down the pub after work on a Friday. Naked Solar also holds a bi-annual team day, followed by a meal at a local restaurant. It also regularly organises fun activities to relieve workday stress, such as a weekly badminton club.

Sapphire Holidays

Holiday lettings agency

Head Office: St Ives

Employees: 146

Days annual leave: 33

Whether in everyday situations or times of crisis, we stand by our principles and values to create an inspiring work environment for all team members to flourish and succeed. It’s not just team members who are rewarded, Sapphire Holidays appreciates each and every person that contributes towards the success of the business, often owners will be taken out for lunch or housekeepers will be invited to an end of season social gathering. The presence of this inclusive, mindful and nurturing ethos at the heart of all we do makes our organisation the best place to work.

Sapphire Holidays, which includes the Aspects Holidays, Boutique Retreats, Classic Cottages and Unique Hideaways brands, invests deeply in the wellbeing of staff to curate an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Employees are nurtured and encouraged through opportunities for both professional and personal growth.

Sapphire inspires team members to support its local communities and develop the environment outside of the office setting, with volunteer days available to all staff to use during work hours.

With the Cornish coastline close to its hearts, several beach cleaning events are scheduled each year to donate its time to preserving local beauty spots.

Allowing dogs at work, regular socials and initiatives such as long service awards and endorsements on the HR systems, all contribute to Sapphire Holidays being named as one of the Best Places to Work in Cornwall.

WHAT THREE THINGS DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DO FOR YOU THAT YOU LOVE?

• Offers flexibility with working hours and location

• Provides a generous bonus scheme

• Organises plenty of social activities and events

Rrl

Chartered Accountancy

Head Office: Truro

Employees: 31

Days annual leave: 27

RRL has been awarded one of the best places to work in Cornwall because we genuinely care, about our people, our clients, the environment and the wider community. We are always looking at how we can be better, better for our staff, for our clients and for the world around us.

WHAT THREE THINGS DOES YOUR EMPLOYER DO FOR YOU THAT YOU LOVE?

• Flexible working

• Annual event

• Partners always looking at ways to improve the firm

RRL is conscious that its people are its biggest resource and does everything it can to ensure they feel like the most important element of the firm. It actively promotes positive mental health and ensures that this is talked about regularly and not a taboo subject.

The partners are visible at all times, and at no point are they or the management team ‘out of reach’ to other staff members. During the hot summer months, partners would arrive in the office with ice lollies or cold drinks and often just impromptu bring in cake or other treats for all to enjoy.

RRL has an annual event, which invariably includes partners and all expenses paid overnight stay in a nice hotel. Last year, RRL had a day at a hotel and staff enjoyed a spa treatment or activity of their choice with an allocated sum to spend. Partners ensure that the business strategy is well communicated to all staff so everyone knows the direction that the firm is going in and how they fit.