Jun 19 2008
Dow Corning UK is one of the top 50 places to work according to a report released by the Great Place to Work Institute UK and the Financial Times. The award recognizes both the Dow Corning Barry site and the Meriden customer service center.
One of the highest accolades a company can receive, the award acknowledges the excellent practices and dedicated employees that work together to make Dow Corning an inspirational and rewarding place to work. Dow Corning is one of only three companies in Wales, and the only chemical manufacturer to make the UK listing.
An important part of the selection process is the measure of trust between managers and employees. The Great Place to Work Institute team assessed employees across Dow Corning’s UK operation to determine the measurement based on their definition of a high trust environment - a place where employees “trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with. “
Lyn Evans, UK HR manager said, “We've seen a significant increase in trust index scores this year compared to our 2006 measures. Numerous studies show that employees who feel trusted, are proud of what they do and enjoy coming to work lead to a competitive advantage for the company.”
In the last few years Dow Corning’s Barry site has implemented many initiatives to help improve employee’s feelings of trust and camaraderie including; leadership training, better operator facilities and training, adding a fitness center, voluntary medical health checks, free fruit and improved management communications. Many of these programs were led by the UK Partnership Team - a joint Dow Corning leadership and employee representative group whose role is to inform and consult employees on matters affecting their workplace.
Evans added, “We made some challenging two-year goals under our 'People Priority' and this award is the icing on the cake. It is the best possible accolade for the hard work by the UK Partnership Team and leadership groups at Barry and Meriden to improve motivation, morale, well-being and engagement.”
Margaret Matthews, managing director of Dow Corning Ltd, commented; “This is a wonderful achievement. The results show that when it comes to trust, pride and camaraderie, Dow Corning ranks amongst the best of all employers in the UK.”
Dow Corning Corporation has received 'Best employer’ awards in several countries. In the United States, Dow Corning was named to Fortune magazine’s list of Best Companies to Work for and Working Mother magazine’s Best Companies in 2007. Dow Corning has also received the Best Employer Award in Belgium, Top 100 Places to Work in Germany, and a similar award in Brazil.