A group of colleagues who are volunteering
Best Companies Giving Something Back Special Award Logo

Giving Something Back Special
Awards

Recognising and showcasing those that have
excelled in the area of Giving Something Back

The Best Companies ‘Special Award’ for Giving Something Back is given to one organisation in each size category annually to recognise an innovative approach in supporting charities and their local communities, or their efforts to mitigate their impact on the environment.

We shortlist for the award using the information you provide us about your people and culture in your cultural insights when you undertake a survey. We ask questions relating to the initiatives or policies in place that relate to ‘Giving Something Back’, which allows us to identify those showing a genuine commitment to the process and demonstrating outstanding practice.

Shortlisted companies’ answers are anonymised and reviewed by an independent judging panel, who select the winning organisation in each category.

Winners are then revealed during an annual ceremony each November, in conjunction with the publication of the final League Table of the Best Companies to Work For each year.

The 2022 Winners

Small Companies
Giving Something Back
Special Award Winner
Mid-Sized Companies
Giving Something Back
Special Award Winner
Large Companies
Giving Something Back
Special Award Winner
Big Companies
Giving Something Back
Special Award Winner

The 2022 winners in focus...

The most recent recipients of the Giving Something Back award all shared a common belief: that doing the right thing matters.

In the small category, winners, staff public relations agency, WPR supported their local communities by supporting a local charity. They provided 30 school uniforms to children living in poverty and helped 30 households warm their homes by supplying LED lightbulbs, radiator deflectors, and window and door insulation.

In the mid-sized category, winners, digital marketing agency, RocketMill has made a commitment to improving the environment. When they win a new business they pay a percentage of the profits to employees as well as making a donation to the World Land Trust. So far RocketMill has helped to protect 200 acres of land around the world. They also support a number of other local charities that help make the world a better place for thousands of people.

The winner in the large category, Stockport Homes Group is supporting communities by setting up 5 local food stores to help those living in poverty. They are combatting climate change by implemented environmental initiatives including an electric pool bike scheme saving 18 tons of CO2 emission each year, cycle to work days, they have installed solar panels to power their offices and they are buzzing to save bees by installing hives at the office that can accommodate 800,000 bees.

In the big category, Roche is leading the field in reducing CO2 emissions and has made an effective environmental change helping them reduce their emissions to 50% of that of the average firm. This has been done by decreasing energy consumption, air emissions, water consumption, and the weight of waste. In addition, they have raised £25,000 with their charity partner and donated £50,000 to their local community team managing wooded areas.

The Importance of Giving Something Back

The winners of the 2022 Giving Something Back Special Award were invited to discuss the initiatives that earned them the accolade during the first ever edition of Best Companies Live. Click to watch the video of the highlights:
Best Companies Live Day 2 session, comprising of the Small and Mid-Sized Best Leader Award Winners and Small and Mid-Sized Giving Something Back Award Winners
Best Companies Live Day 3 session, comprising of the Large and Big Best Leader Award Winners and Large and Big Giving Something Back Award Winners
Best Companies Giving Something Back Special Award Logo

In good company...

In 2021 BT Consumer’s initiative, ‘Lockdown Learning Kids’ was set up to provided free, unlimited mobile data to disadvantaged families. Its employees worked tirelessly to ensure the scheme was operational and running smoothly in their bid to ensure that those in need had the means to access educational materials online. In addition, the organisation also provided free data to staff across the NHS, as well as supporting the National Emergencies Trust in its work keeping everyone connected during the pandemic.

In 2020 Howdens scooped the award thanks to its sustainability practices in its manufacturing and logistics operations, not least in its approach to reducing carbon emissions, responsible sourcing, and waste reduction. It also stood out for its sponsorship of local charitable projects, as well as its release of employees to undertake voluntary roles with the ambulance and fire services in the local community.

Giving Something Back Top 5 2022

Giving Something Back
‍‍Small Companies
Top 5
Giving Something Back
Mid-Sized Companies
Top 5
Giving Something Back
Large Companies
Top 5
Giving Something Back
Big Companies
Top 5

Benefits of a Special Award...

Being awarded the Special Award for Giving Something Back shows that you not only care about your employees, but also the community and environment around them.

The extent to which employees feel their organisation has a positive impact on society is one of the eight key factors of engagement – meaning that going the extra mile in this area can have a positive impact on job satisfaction and retention.

It’s a unique opportunity to gain recognition as a responsible employer, as well as an accolade that can help you stand out against the competition. As a winner in your size category, you’ll receive marketing and publicity from Best Companies, as well as the opportunity to discuss your achievement during one of our live events.

Recent Winners

Some recent Special Award winners include...

Do you have what it takes to become a 2023 Special Award winner?

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Other special awards

Want to find out more about our other Special Awards, the winners and what goes into winning them...