BUSINESSES can gain recognition as Scotland's best workplace, in the third year of a prestigious awards scheme.

Run by the Great Place to Work Institute UK, the scheme has been designed to recognise organisations with outstanding workplace cultures in Scotland.

Participants in the 2013 Best Workplaces Programme will gain an understanding of what makes a great workplace and how it can affect business performance. They will also learn more about the strengths of their workplace culture and how to address any challenges.

Based on a survey of what employees think about participants and the culture they operate, the programme will provide insights that can increase staff retention and productivity, and reduce absenteeism amid challenging economic conditions.

Participation in the programme can help raise an organisation's profile as an employer of choice.

'The Best Workplaces Programme is not just a ranking – it's a key strategic tool for organisations to help them understand the importance of trust in the workplace, how a culture of trust is essential for creating a great workplace and how this can improve business performance," said Tom O'Byrne, chief executive, Great Place to Work Institute UK.

He added: "The success of the 2011 and 2012 programmes shows that Scotland has some truly inspirational businesses. Through the Scottish programme, we want to reach out and help other organisations create their own great workplaces and improve business performance. So confident are we of the value of the Programme, we are offering 10 organisations – through our media partner The Herald – the opportunity to experience the benefits for free.'

With operations in 48 countries the Great Place to Work® lnstitute runs the largest People Excellence Programme in the World. Each year around 29 million employees in more than 6000 organisations are surveyed, representing some 11 million employees.

The 2013 Scotland's Best Workplaces Programme is looking to build upon the considerable success of the first two programmes.

Material Communications Group ranked first in the small workplace category in Scotland and fifth in the category in the UK in the 2012 programme. It was Scotland's No 1 Best Workplace in the 2011 programme and was also the UK's No 1 Best Small Workplace 2011. Sera Miller, chief executive of Material Communications Group, said: "I'd recommend the process to anyone running an organisation who wants to gain a valuable insight and assessment framework for development."

Beaverbrooks the Jewellers was Scotland's Best Workplace in the medium/large category in 2012. It ranked fifth in the UK large workplace category.

After ranking 10th in the medium/large category in Scotland in the 2012 programme, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association highlighted the benefits of taking part.

"Having participated in Scotland's Great Place to Work® initiative for a second year we have been delighted by the recognition it has given us in our endeavour to be an 'employer of choice'.

"Taking part in the programme has allowed us to actively engage with our employees and the Trust Index® provides the ideal annual benchmark internally and against similar companies.

"Overall the programme is well organised and provides credible independent external assessment. I recommend the programme and look forward to our participation again next year," said Andrew Aitken, director of human Resources, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association.

Admiral Group, the insurer, was the UK's best large workplace in the 2012 programme. The Baringa Partners consultancy was the best medium-sized workplace in the UK, while Intuit, an accounting software specialist, was the best small workplace in the UK.

The 2013 programme will be delivered in Scotland through strategic partnerships with Skills Development Scotland and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

The scheme is open to UK-registered organisations with employees in Scotland.

Participants must have a minimum of 20 employees and have been in existence for at least three years as of March 22.

Registrations will be open to October 31.

Two-thirds of the final score is based on the results of a survey of employees. This judges the organisation against criteria such as how employees feel trusted by their management.

One-third is based on a culture audit involving a questionnaire that is usually completed by senior management.

Organisations are ranked according to the scores they have achieved.

Participants will receive a report giving feedback on their employee survey around six weeks after the survey closes.

The successful organisations will be announced at an awards ceremony in April 2013.

Successful organisations can look forward to their achievement being showcased in The Herald.

They are also automatically entered in the UK programme where they have the chance to be recognised as one of the UK's Best Workplaces.

Find out more at: www.scotland.greatplacetowork.co.uk/home

Survey and questionnaire: employees will take part in an internal survey; your management team will also complete the Cultural Audit Management Questionnaire.

Analysis: at the end of the survey period, the results of the employee survey and the management questionnaire will be analysed. Organisations are then ranked according to the scores they've achieved. Two-thirds of the overall results are based on the employee survey.

Feedback: you will receive a report giving feedback on your employee survey around 6 weeks after the survey closes.

Notification: Successful organisations are notified by post.

The successful organisations will be invited to attend a special event where they will receive a Scotland's Best Workplaces trophy and their ranking will be revealed. They will also be recognised in a special feature published by The Herald.

Call the information hotline on 0870 608 8780 or email scotland@greatplacetowork.co.uk

Discuss your requirements with one of the team

Register – the first 10 Herald readers will get FREE entry into the Programme.