How it all works

Best Companies Ltd has developed a rigorous way to assess what it's like to work for a company. It's not rocket science: we simply ask employees what matters to them (over 500,000 of them, in fact). Then we give each company a rating based on our unique three star accreditation system.

However, the questions we ask and how we analyse the data, now that's rocket science.

Based on confidential employee answers to our survey, each organisation is given a Best Companies Index (BCI) score on a scale of 1 to 1,000. Depending on an organisation's BCI, it may achieve a one, two or three star status. Those who just missed out on earning a star status are listed as Ones To Watch. The BCI score is applied equally to organisations of all sizes.

The purpose of the accreditation system is to produce a model based on employee engagement, developed over the last six years by Best Companies Ltd, and is the same model we use to produce the prestigious Sunday Times list of 100 Best Companies to Work For.

Click here for detailed information on the stats and the science of the employee engagement methodology.

Year on year statistical analysis has shown that the eight main factors below are fundamental in driving employee satisfaction and engagement with employers.

Every organisation in the guide is ranked on all eight factors and we list their top three. Using Best Match you can find companies whose values match your own.

LEADERSHIP

Without great leadership you won't have good management. Without good management you won't have a happy team. And if the team isn't happy, the prospects aren't good.

So it's not surprising that leadership is the factor that influences employee engagement the most.

MY COMPANY

A job well done makes you feel good. And having pride in where you work makes going there a positive experience.

This factor focuses on how much people value their company, how proud they are to work there, and whether they feel they can make a difference.

PERSONAL GROWTH

If we don't grow, we stagnate. That's why we constantly need to learn new things and take up new challenges.

This factor measures whether employees feel challenged by their job, if their current skills are being used and if they have the opportunity to advance.

Training and development should mean a career isn't just work, but an education.

MY MANAGER

It is said that seven out of ten people who leave their employer are leaving their manager, not the company. So the working relationship with your manager is probably the most important of all.

MY TEAM

It doesn't matter how great your company is, if you don't get on with your co-workers you're not going to stay there. Friendship and support from your work buddies makes a big difference to your working day. And good employers will realise that team spirit, having fun and belonging actually increase productivity.

GIVING SOMETHING BACK

More and more organisations now realise the value of investing in people, the local community and wider society. Sort of company karma.

This factor explores how much people think their employers put back into society and whether they believe this effort is driven by a desire for good publicity.

FAIR DEAL

While money should not be your only motivation, it is difficult to be engaged with your work if you feel you are not being fairly paid compared to others.

This factor measures how well employees are treated in terms of pay and benefits compared to similar organisations.

WELL BEING

All work and no play doesn't make for happy employees.

This factor measures stress, pressure, the balance between work and home life and the impact they have on personal health and performance. A good organization will not encourage a long hours culture, in fact they will do the exact opposite.