Have you ever wondered why some companies have queues of eager applicants while others struggle to fill positions? The secret lies in understanding what makes a company a great place to work—something we at Circles are passionate about as a two-time certified Great Place to Work organisation.
Creating an environment where employees feel valued and motivated isn’t just good for your team—it’s brilliant for business too. Let’s explore how you can transform your workplace into one that attracts and retains the best talent.
When we look at organisations consistently rated as excellent employers, certain patterns emerge. What makes a company a great place to work often boils down to how they prioritise their staff. The most admired workplaces understand that employees aren’t just resources; they’re the beating heart of the organisation.
These companies create environments where people feel genuinely excited to contribute, knowing their work has meaning. They foster a sense of community that transforms the daily grind into a fulfilling journey of growth.
A positive workplace culture doesn’t happen by accident. It’s deliberately cultivated through shared values and consistent leadership behaviours. What makes a company a great place to work is often the feeling that everyone is moving in the same direction, guided by principles that resonate with the team.
When employees understand your company’s mission, they become ambassadors for your brand. This alignment creates a powerful sense of purpose that transforms ordinary work into a meaningful contribution.
People don’t just want jobs—they want careers with clear trajectories. Companies that invest in learning and development show employees they’re valued for the long term.
The best workplaces understand that encouraging growth benefits everyone. When employees develop new skills, the organisation becomes more innovative and resilient. This investment creates a cycle where what makes a company a great place to work reinforces itself through continuous improvement.
Today’s employees are looking for real, everyday support to help manage the demands of modern life. Companies that truly improve work-life balance go beyond policies — they offer practical services that can ease the mental load. Circles’ concierge solution empowers teams by taking care of time-consuming life admin, giving employees more space to focus, breathe, and thrive — both professionally and personally.
At Circles, our internal data shows our concierge services save employees an average of 3 hours per request by handling life admin tasks. In one of our recent case studies, Biogen reduced turnover by 64% by adding work-life balance services. By acknowledging that people have full lives beyond the office, employers demonstrate genuine care for their team members.
Organisations that excel at what makes a company a great place to work have thoughtful systems for recognising achievements. This doesn’t always mean lavish bonuses—sometimes a sincere ‘thank you’ in front of peers carries tremendous weight.
Effective recognition highlights behaviours that align with company ideals, reinforcing cultural norms while making employees feel valued. When people know their work matters, they’re motivated to continue giving their best.
Great workplaces actively cultivate diversity where different perspectives are valued for the richness they bring.
When employees feel they can be their authentic selves at work, creativity flourishes and problem-solving improves. This psychological safety is a hallmark of what makes a company a great place to work in today’s interconnected world.
People tend to stay with employers who treat them well and provide meaningful work. When companies get what makes a company a great place to work right, they see dramatic improvements in employee retention.
This reduced turnover translates directly to cost savings and preserves institutional knowledge. The continuity also strengthens team bonds and efficiency.
Happy employees aren’t just more pleasant to work with—they’re more productive and innovative too. When people feel supported, they bring their full creative potential to work each day.
This engagement leads to fresh thinking and problem-solving that drives business success. Companies known as great workplaces often find themselves at the forefront of innovation in their industries.
Your reputation as an employer spreads quickly. Organisations known for being great places to work find it easier to find success in their talent attraction strategy, even in competitive markets.
This creates a virtuous cycle where the best candidates want to join your team, raising the overall calibre of your workforce and further enhancing your workplace culture.
The journey towards becoming a great place to work begins with an honest assessment. Survey your team, listen to exit interviews, and gather data on engagement. Understanding where you currently stand is essential for meaningful progress.
Look for patterns in feedback that reveal what employees value most. This foundation is crucial to creating targeted improvements that address real needs.
Great workplaces create channels for ongoing dialogue. Regular pulse surveys and feedback sessions signal that leadership cares about what makes a company a great place to work from the employees’ perspective.
More importantly, they act on the input received, closing the loop by communicating what changes are being made in response. This responsiveness builds trust and demonstrates that employee voices truly matter.
Building structured opportunities for growth shows employees you’re invested in their future. The most effective programs align individual aspirations with organisational needs, creating a mutual benefit that strengthens commitment.
Creating an employee-centric workplace means acknowledging that team members have full lives outside work.
At Circles, our workplace hospitality solutions help employees reclaim precious time. Our documented case studies have shown remarkable results—a multinational financial services corporation achieved an 85% ROI with our community management program to drive employee connection and collaboration, while as highlighted in our January 2024 case study, Biogen reduced turnover by 64% after implementing our concierge services. These examples demonstrate that what makes a company a great place to work includes caring for employees’ wellbeing holistically.
Our journey to Great Place to Work certification required genuine commitment to creating an environment where our team could thrive, addressing the fundamental elements of what makes a company a great place to work.
This approach is rooted in our core values—being empathetic, curious, determined and charismatic. We’ve tackled burnout through our concierge solutions, boosted morale with community-building initiatives, and prioritised mental health through our workplace hospitality solutions.
The results speak for themselves—97% of our employees voted Circles as a Great Place to Work. And in 2024, we placed 31st in the UK’s Best Workplaces for Women, a certification we earned for the second consecutive year.
Creating a great workplace isn’t about following trends or offering flashy perks. It’s about understanding what truly matters to your people. With over 25 years of experience helping global companies improve work-life balance, we’ve learned that what makes a company a great place to work is a personalised approach to employee experience.
Ready to transform your workplace? Get in touch today to book a call with our team and learn more about our tailored solutions for employee wellbeing.
