The Sunday Times, in collaboration with WorkL, has recently unveiled the Best Places to Work in the UK for 2024. Among the distinguished list of organizations, MQ Mental Health Research has been recognized in the small organizations category.

This prestigious nationwide workplace survey aims to celebrate and honor Britain’s top employers, encompassing over 500 organizations from various industries and sizes. The survey not only identifies the best workplaces for women, LGBTQIA+ community, disabled employees, ethnic minorities, younger and older workers, but also acknowledges organizations that prioritize employee wellbeing.

“We are incredibly proud to see MQ acknowledged as an exceptional place to work. This recognition is a tribute to the positive culture fostered by the senior leadership team and a heartfelt tribute to our late CEO, Lea Milligan, whose dedication to implementing flexible policies and fostering a supportive environment for our high-performing team has truly made a difference.”

Mandy Hamerla, Director of Human Resources, MQ Mental Health Research

Understanding the Survey Methodology

The Sunday Times collaborated with the employee-experience platform WorkL to delve into what sets apart a Best Place to Work. The Best Places to Work awards survey leverages 26 questions from WorkL’s comprehensive employee engagement survey. Developed by a blend of behavioral scientists, data analysts, psychologists, business leaders, academics, and independent entities, the survey accurately gauges employee engagement, wellbeing, and discretionary effort in the workplace. To garner a high overall engagement score, organizations must excel across WorkL’s six-step framework:

1. Reward and Recognition
2. Instilling Pride
3. Information Sharing
4. Empowerment
5. Wellbeing
6. Job Satisfaction

A Commitment to Workplace Mental Health

Enhancing workplace mental health has been a focal point for MQ’s research initiatives. The correlation between work and mental health is increasingly recognized, with working conditions, stress levels, and the overall work environment significantly impacting mental wellbeing, which, in turn, affects performance.

Last year, MQ partnered with Peopleful and the WorkWell Research Centre at Northwest University for a cross-industry study on workplace dynamics in the UK and Ireland. The report, released in September, revealed alarming statistics – one in four employees in the UK is at high risk of burnout, while an additional 22% exhibit signs of stress-related ill health, leading to a surge in absenteeism and workforce dropout.

However, there are proactive measures that employers can adopt to support their staff and foster exceptional work environments. Some strategies that have contributed to making MQ a standout workplace include:

• Promoting open communication: Cultivating a culture of transparency where employees feel comfortable discussing stress levels and concerns, with regular check-ins aiding in identifying and addressing stressors proactively.
• Offering employee assistance programs (EAPs): Providing access to counseling, therapy, and resources to assist in managing stress and mental health challenges.
• Providing flexibility: Embracing flexible working arrangements, such as remote work or adaptable hours, to help employees achieve a better work-life balance and reduce stress levels.
• Creating a supportive work environment: Establishing a work culture that prioritizes employee wellbeing, with team-building activities and social events fostering a sense of support and connectivity.
• Addressing workplace stressors: Identifying and mitigating stress triggers, such as heavy workloads or interpersonal conflicts, through job redesign or conflict resolution strategies.
• Training Mental Health First Aiders: Equipping employees with the skills to become Mental Health First Aiders, offering crucial support to colleagues in need.

For the complete list of the 500 Best Places to Work, visit the Sunday Times website.