We are very excited to announce that we have been officially recognised as one of the best companies to work for by Great Place To Work - the leading consultancy firm in identifying and certifying the best workplaces worldwide.
As we are part of Liberty Insurance, we celebrate the company being recognised simultaneously in the four European Markets in which it operates -Northern Ireland, Ireland, Spain and Portugal. The certification comes after we worked with our 250 employees across Northern Ireland to develop and implement a new work model aligned with the company’s digital first strategy. Through surveys and consultation, our employees made it clear that they did not want to return to the company's previous face-to-face working model.
The certification process is awarded on opinion and assessment by staff themselves on different aspects of the company measuring confidence and the ability to attract and retain talent. Great Place To Work uses a diagnostic tool called Trust Index, a questionnaire containing 60 statements that determines the level of trust Hughes Insurance employees have toward the company.
All of our staff, including our senior leadership team, work primarily remotely, with the option of spending up to two days per week in the office, once it is safe to do so, to carry out specific activities or hold face-to-face meetings. The model has thrived as it is built on a culture of trust and flexibility and gives employees the freedom to live and work anywhere in Northern Ireland.
Sarah Balmforth, our Head of Human Resources said: “We live by our value of putting our people first and to have that recognised by Great Place to Work is as rewarding as it is motivating. Our digital transformation aligns with both the strategy of our business and the needs of our employees who now enjoy the flexibility of a great work life balance and geographic mobility across the country.”
The ‘Liberty Digital Way’, as the new structure is known, will remain permanent across Liberty Insurance sites.
Juan Miguel Estallo, CEO of Liberty Insurance, Ireland said: “We are proud to obtain this recognition, in Northern Ireland, Ireland and across our European business, as it demonstrates the importance of encouraging active listening and continuous dialogue with and among employees when it comes to making strategic decisions, such as the implementation of the Liberty Digital Way.
“Achieving this certification is the result of months of work in collaboration with employees whose main objective was to satisfy and respond to the emotional well-being and professional development of everyone in our company.”
We are very proud of our Great Place to Work certification and look forward to building on this to provide our staff with an even greater place to work.