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12:28 PM 8th June 2021
business

Benenden Health Recognised In Yorkshire Employer Awards

 
York-based not-for-profit healthcare provider Benenden Health has been recognised as one of the top 30 companies to work for in Yorkshire and the Humber, cementing its commitment to employees’ wellbeing and development in this year’s Best Companies Awards.

The healthcare provider leapt up five places from its 2020 ranking, now the 26th best organisation to work for in Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as being listed as the 65th best large company to work for (between 250 and 1,999 colleagues), and the eighth best insurance organisation.

The mutual, which provides healthcare support for more than 800,000 members across the UK, was quick to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic and ensure its colleagues were supported throughout the government lockdowns. Early in the pandemic, Benenden Health’s Chief Executive established an organisation-wide fortnightly call to enable colleagues to stay connected, provide updates on business performance, and keep the business informed of Benenden Health's response to Covid-19.

Daily calls with the executive team were also carried out which informed regular communication to the organisation and the Benenden Health membership.
The organisation also set up a group of wellbeing champions, with volunteers from across the business acting as the ears and eyes of the company during the pandemic, allowing it to respond quickly to the changing wellbeing needs of the workforce.

To maintain the community culture the workforce enjoyed in the office, teams also established a social timeline to encourage colleagues to maintain close relationships and support one another during lockdown.
The company also places an emphasis on the impact it has on the wider community, introducing initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. Benenden Health’s Community Fund provided funding awards to support health and wellbeing related initiatives in the local community, cookery workshops for young people,
community food projects and gardening sessions.

The Best Companies to Work For list recognises the organisations that are leading the way in creating engaging and exciting workplaces. Research by Best Companies suggests that chief executives and senior teams understand that consistently engaging and supporting their workforce is the most effective way to attract and keep the best colleagues in challenging markets.

Bob Andrews
Bob Andrews
Chief Executive of Benenden Health, Bob Andrews, said: “It goes without saying that 2020 was anything but normal. One thing that was ‘business as usual’ at Benenden Health was how we continue to put our colleagues and their wellbeing first. That’s why I’m so proud to say that we’ve maintained our two-star accreditation in the recent Best Companies survey, recognising us as an outstanding organisation to work for.

“This last year we’ve focused on regular communications from our leadership team and frequent organisation wide meetings to keep colleagues connected and informed. We’ve had support networks in place for our colleagues, providing opportunities for them to share their stories with each other and focus on their wellbeing. We’ve worked hard to maintain our fantastic workplace culture whilst working remotely and I’m delighted that through this survey our people have told us that Benenden Health continues to be a great place to work.”