Computer Weekly's
Best Places to Work in IT Awards, now entering their fifth
year, have become one of the main showcases for best practice in IT
departments across the country.
The awards aim to discover and promote the best IT departments
in the UK, highlighting those that create a positive working
environment, provide opportunities for individuals' development,
and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Research has shown that those businesses that invest in staff in
this way are rewarded with enthusiasm, attention to quality and a
commitment to ensuring excellence. Companies are also more likely
to attract and retain top talent.
Consultancy and support services firm
Atkins won the overall competition last year. The firm said
that it was a range of factors in their 300-strong group
information services department that enabled them to take home the
award.
Jo Withers, business services manager at Atkins, said, "The
people who work in the department play a big part in making it a
good place to work. Getting the right work-life balance is
important, as well as a drive to improve our consciousness of the
environment.
"Benefits are another part of it, and good opportunities need to
be open to staff. It is a number of different factors
combined."
She added, "The award carries some kudos, so it is good for our
recruitment and good for our PR. We had a huge party to celebrate
that went down exceptionally well. The award also improved staff
morale, because it makes people reflect on all the hard work
undertaken to make this a good place to work."
Many companies that take part say the process helps raise the
department's profile both internally and externally.
Judging
The awards are judged by a group of experts from business, IT
and recruitment, who assess companies on a range of criteria
including:
● Positive working environment, shown by a high level of
enthusiasm among staff, an attractive benefits package and evidence
that the IT department has adapted the company's benefits in an
innovative way.
● Continued professional development, particularly highlighting
examples of creativity in the department. Judges will look at the
range of skills developed, how integrated the learning is, and the
balance between internal and external training.
● Examples of how the department goes the extra mile to get the
right work/life balance, including how the organisation helps at
different stages of employees' lives or in varying
circumstances.
● Demonstration that being a good place to work creates more
value in the business, for example through better service, quality
and customer understanding.
Anyone who feels their department fulfils these criteria is
invited to enter. Both small and large firms will be recognised,
and entry is via a simple online form.
What makes a winner?
Category winners in last year's awards included Atkins,
Birmingham Midshires, Berwin Leighton Paisner and Asda.
Judges looking at the Atkins entry were impressed by its Greener
Futures initiative, which encouraged recycling and waste reduction,
as well as the company's positive attitude to family
commitments.
Birmingham Midshires actively encourages its staff to develop
their skills, and judges recognised this when they commented on the
organisation's well structured professional development
programme.
Berwin Leighton Paisner won the business and professional
services category after it impressed judges with its "rounded
approach to professional development, including the development of
soft skills such as communication and people management".
In the retail, wholesale and distribution category, Asda won the
judges over with a raft of positive initiatives. Judges liked the
firm's three-year graduate recruitment programme, its annual
surveys of working life, the ability for staff to move around the
organisation and a daily "huddle", where issues from the day before
are discussed.
Awards categories
● Banking (retail, wholesale and commercial)
● Financial services, including insurance
● Business and professional services
● Central government
● Local government
● Health and emergency services
● Non-profit sectors (eg. charities)
● IT services suppliers (including outsourcing providers)
● IT software and hardware suppliers
● Hospitality, entertainment and leisure
● Manufacturing and engineering
● Retail and wholesale
● Commercial transport
● Travel (eg. tour operators and agents)
● Utilities and telecommunications
● Construction, agriculture and mining
How to enter
You can enter the 2008 Best Places to Work in IT Awards by
filling in a
simple online
form >>
Round-up of the
2007 awards >>