The organisation that compiles the list is called Great Place to Work. It uses its own workplace assessment tools to help companies interpret and improve their workplace cultures, and uses its research, based on data from more than 10 million employees in 45 countries, to share stories and insights about great workplaces around the world.
Softcat qualified for its appearance on the European Best Workplaces list after appearing on the UK list last month, where it finished 10th in the ‘medium’ category for 75-499 employees. It is only the first time that Softcat has entered these awards. The company also came first in the Sunday Times’ Best Small Companies to Work For in 2010.
Softcat’s HR and recruitment manager, Shelley Ferrigno, attended the black-tie awards ceremony in Berlin last night. She said, “This is a fantastic achievement that every Softcat employee should feel proud of. It takes a concerted effort from everyone within an organisation to make their workplace truly great. Part of the reason our employees feel engaged is that we have an open, democratic structure. You feel a sense of togetherness and belonging in everything from our day-to-day work to the effort we put into raising funds at our charity events. And in our experience, satisfied employees make for satisfied customers.”
Tom O’Byrne, chief executive of Great Place to Work UK, said, “I am absolutely delighted with the UK’s showing in the European Best Workplaces awards. It’s great to see UK workplaces doing so well compared with their European peers across the board in this continuing tough economic climate. We offer congratulations to all the leaders, managers and employees across Europe who have come together to lead the way in building better workplaces.”
José Tolovi, Jr., global CEO of Great Place to Work, said, “All companies recognised on Great Place to Work’s Europe’s Best Workplaces have established trust-based work cultures that set the standard not only in Europe but around the world. This achievement is a testament to the strength of the organisations’ leadership and commitment to building a great workplace regardless of country, industry or size. Whether economies are growing or under strain, these great companies recognize the importance of a workplace culture based on trust, pride and camaraderie and the positive impact this can have on business performance.”
Softcat has doubled both its turnover and its headcount in the last two years, and the current year is shaping up to be just as impressive. Already in 2012, it has won major awards from the likes of Cisco, HP, Sophos, Symantec and VMware, and in 2011 it became the first company to retain Reseller of the Year at the CRN Channel Awards.
Softcat is recruiting all year round, at each of its offices – in Marlow, London and Manchester – to support its rapid growth. As well as giving its staff opportunities to progress in their careers, Softcat offers healthcare and dental plans, a company contributory pension, half-day holidays on employees’ birthdays, lunch at exclusive restaurants, and team-building activities. Softcat regularly rewards its highest-performing employees with holidays in exotic locations, such as Monaco, Cambodia and Antarctica.