How the World's Best Workplaces™ improve the employee experience by building trust

The key drivers of positive employee experience remain the same globally, and employees around the world want the same things: trust in leadership, pride in their work and meaningful relationships with colleagues.

Great Place To Work® has analyzed over 6.2 million survey responses representing the experiences of 18 million employees worldwide to determine this year's Fortune World's Best Workplaces™ list.

These 25 award-winning workplaces go far beyond the usual experiences of employees. 90 % of employees at the award-winning organizations rate their workplace as excellent - well above the global average.

Michael C. Bush, CEO of Great Place To Work US, emphasizes: "It doesn't matter what country or continent you call home. What matters is the trust that companies build with their organizations. Companies with high trust listen to their employees, innovate, adapt, measure and repeat."

The impact of a great workplace extends beyond individual boundaries; it is of great importance to employees worldwide. The implications are clear: when organizations create a great place to work and live for everyone, there are measurable benefits for the world.

To qualify for inclusion in the list, companies must operate in three or more countries (and have been recognized as one of the Best Workplaces™ at a national level) and employ at least 5,000 people worldwide, 40 % or 5,000 of them outside their headquarters country.

This year's list saw increased competition, with a 28 % increase in participating organizations and a 40 % increase in completed questionnaires.

The 25 winning organizations are characterized by a higher percentage of employees reporting fair pay (75 %), a healthy work-life balance (84 %) and a say in key decisions (81 %) compared to average global employers.

It is particularly noteworthy that 88 % of the employees of the 25 award-winning companies would recommend their employer to friends and family - that is a remarkable 34 percentage points more than the global average of 54 %.

As we explore the question of what "great" looks like, we come across valuable insights that are universally applicable and lead to excellent workplaces.

Here are some examples of how companies on the list are investing in their employees and creating experiences that not only promote individual satisfaction, but also contribute to robust business results.

Involve employees in decisions that affect them

Involving employees in decision-making contributes to a dynamic and resilient corporate culture, regardless of geographical location.

When each individual feels that their opinion matters, it not only strengthens their sense of belonging by taking different perspectives into account. It also encourages innovation and adaptability - crucial qualities for sustainable success in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Hilton, this year's No. 1 on the list, ensures that employees are consulted on decisions that affect them.

In Central and Latin America, the company launched the eight-week "My Voice Matters" campaign, in which managers received feedback from over 5,000 team members. Thanks to their listening to employees' concerns, 84 % of Hilton employees believe that management involves them in decisions that affect them - three percentage points higher than the average of all award-winning companies.

Ensure that all employees have a fair and committed manager

Fair and committed management is in line with the principles of equity and trustworthiness. In any work environment, fostering a culture of equality ensures that employees receive the support they need to perform at their best, regardless of their background or role.

In the World's Best Workplaces, 79 % of employees state that their managers do not show favoritism to anyone - at Cadence, number 9 on the list, the figure is as high as 86 %. To achieve this, Cadence has 90 % of all managers worldwide complete training courses on the topics of "unconcious bias" and "allyschip".

Cadence's focus on developing its leaders is embodied by its mentorship program, which has grown out of its work with its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). By supporting both mentors and mentees, the company is able to build deep trust between employees and management.

If companies want to create a fair and trusting environment, it is advisable to implement such leadership development programs. This strategy not only promotes fairness in the workplace, but also contributes to the development of a positive and inclusive corporate culture.

Encourage all employees to find a healthy work-life balance

In an environment where wellbeing is already a high priority, job satisfaction can be further enhanced by promoting a healthy work-life balance.

At Atlassian, number 16 on this year's list, 94 % of employees say they are encouraged to find a healthy work-life balance - 10 percentage points higher than the average of all companies recognized.

While remote work is not a panacea for employee satisfaction, the way Atlassian supports remote teams provides a level of flexibility that team members greatly appreciate.

One of Atlassian's special offerings is the decentralized working environment. Employees do not have to work in a specific office and can work outside their permanent place of work 90 days a year. Teams are based on time zones, with team members' working hours overlapping by at least four hours per working day to encourage collaboration.

But as always, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The key to promoting a healthy work-life balance lies in understanding the different needs of employees and finding solutions that allow each individual to be successful both personally and professionally.

Communicate the meaning of their work to all employees

Connecting every employee to the company's overarching mission creates additional fulfillment at work.

Beyond financial success, organizations can contribute to social and environmental goals. The idea that work goes beyond the office creates a sense of purpose that transcends everyday tasks and a culture that resonates positively with professionals worldwide.

At DHL Express, number 2 on the list, 90 % of employees feel that their work is more than "just a job." This is partly due to the company's efforts to support the communities in which it operates. Some examples of this commitment include helping refugees find a new start within the company and DHL's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

To ensure that all employees feel connected to the company's mission, the respective countries are asked to inform and involve employees on the topic of purpose. In North, Central and South America, for example, employees were asked to describe their personal goals in order to initiate a discussion about how each employee contributes to the company's overarching goals.

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