DARESBURY-based not-for-profit organisation Ombudsman Services, which helps consumers with unresolved energy and telecoms complaints has been named as one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™.
Ombudsman Services (OS) achieved the ranking in the 2021 Best Workplaces™ list, published by Great Place to Work® UK, following an “exceptional” increase in levels of employee trust and engagement.
Based in Daresbury near Warrington OS is among 183 UK-based organisations recognised by its employees as a workplace that has promoted a positive culture through trust, pride and a focus on wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic.
OS is one of just 51 large employers (251 – 1,000 employees) featured in the 2021 UK’s Best Workplaces™ list and one of only 3 North West companies to be included.
It secured its place after recording a year-on-year increase of 18 percentage points in its Trust Index© Survey Score during the pandemic.
Simon Palmer, managing director at Ombudsman Services, said: “The past year has been challenging for every business. At OS we have worked hard to create a culture based on trust and, during the pandemic, we really feel like we have pulled together and forged stronger bonds as a community.
“We’re incredibly proud of this achievement, but it’s just the start of our journey to becoming an employer of choice.”
The business has focused on the well-being of its colleagues and put more emphasis on the way that it communicates. During the pandemic in particular it has kept employees engaged and motivated through a number of initiatives:
•Launching a series of virtual talks by inspirational guest speakers, including Colonel Dame Kelly Holmes.
•Offering colleagues free access to both an independent wellbeing consultant and the Unmind wellbeing app, helping them cope with the challenges of lockdown.
•Setting up regular one-to-one wellbeing calls in which colleagues can have an honest and open discussion with their line manager and a HR representative.
Ben Gautrey, managing director at Great Place to Work® UK, said: “We’re delighted to announce that Ombudsman Services has just been recognised as a 2021 UK Best Workplace™.
“A truly inspiring journey, we’ve watched Ombudsman Services increase their Trust Index© survey scores by 18 percentage points in an unprecedented and challenging year. This is due to their people-focused initiatives, strong leadership and ability to remain agile to the needs of their workforce during a time of crisis and uncertainty.
“We look forward to seeing Ombudsman Services continue to rise in the ranks of our UK’s Best Workplaces™ list for years to come.”
Ombudsman Services employs more than 400 people in total.
As well as being authorised by Ofgem and Ofcom to investigate unresolved energy and telecoms complaints respectively, OS runs the POPLA parking appeals scheme.
