The Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award is only given to organisations that have demonstrated exceptional performance through a highly engaged workforce. Earlier this month leading rural insurer NFU Mutual was granted this achievement, becoming the only UK headquartered organisation to win this award, and one of only 40 companies across the globe. Discussing this accolade with Insurance Business, Trisha Jones (pictured), HR director at NFU Mutual, outlined how the business’s journey to ‘world class’ employee engagement started in 2011, when NFU Mutual first introduced the annual Gallup Q12 survey.
The results of this survey, which consisted of 12 questions designed to measure the engagement of both the business and its employees, were ranked alongside thousands of other companies throughout the world. NFU Mutual then set itself the ambitious goal of being ranked in the top 10% of companies which it did in 2015, with a 91st percentile ranking.
“By 2018, we were ranked at the 99th percentile, and were one of just six companies around the world that had the highest level of employee engagement. In 2019, we retained our 99th percentile position for the second year,” Jones said. “During this time, we were recognised for our outstanding engagement for the fourth year in a row with the Gallup Great Workplace Award.”
In 2020, Gallup introduced the new ‘Exceptional Workplace’ award, for which a business must demonstrate how it makes its people a key component of its strategy, and how it creates a culture to match.
“Employees know their opinions count, that they are making a difference, and that it’s possible to bring their best to work every day,” Jones said. “We believe that continued, strong engagement is fundamental to the future success of our business, and that this is achieved through having aligned and focused team leadership at every level of the business.”
Jones outlined how they have focused on developing a winning performance culture where everyone knows how their role contributes to successful business performance. Imperative to this has been encouraging and supporting employees to access a broad range of training and career development opportunities, as well as prioritising employee health and well-being, and supporting the local community through volunteering.
“We’re committed to creating an environment in which everyone has the chance to achieve their full potential,” she said.
Jones understands the importance of having strong working relationships and says that this has always been at the heart of NFU Mutual’s core business values. High levels of engagement are something the business works hard to achieve and cannot be taken for granted. A commitment to both staff and customers is essential and putting these relationships first is at the core of how NFU Mutual operates.
“Our journey on the Gallup survey has allowed us to measure how we’re delivering against those values, highlight where we can improve and set targets to drive progress,” she said. “Employee engagement is a consideration for all businesses. An inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and heard is something all businesses can strive towards.”
Any insurance company looking to increase the engagement of their workers should start by focusing on building the skills and leadership capabilities of all managers and team leaders, therefore empowering them to engage their teams. What has worked for NFU Mutual is developing a culture where leaders understand the importance of engagement in driving business performance, and have both the capability and confidence to make this a reality.
“We’ve worked hard to understand and offer what our employees need in order to deliver their best work,” Jones said. “This is achieved through support and recognition, given on a one to one basis with their managers and their teams, and the company as a whole being aligned and consistent in communicating its strategic aims. Remember to celebrate your successes, and draw the link between employee engagement and business success.”
