Awards

Top Employers for Working Families

Our family friendly and flexible working policies have brought two awards and a top 10 ranking in the UK's Top Employers for Working Families for 2011, the only energy or utility company to win that accolade.

We picked up the 'Best for Fathers' award and the 'Best for Flexible Working' award at the Top Employers for Working Families benchmark conference in September and were a finalist in the 'Best for Carers' section.

Britain's Top Employer Awards 2011

Centrica was named third in Britain's Top Employer's awards for 2011 for meeting the highest HR standards. The accolade came from the Corporate Research Foundation (CRF), which said the company had outstanding HR policies and offered excellent working conditions. Centrica was also praised for its major focus on carbon reduction and helping the environment.

Fifty-eight organisations were certified in this year's Britain's Top Employers project and companies were judged on a range of HR-related areas. Centrica is the only energy company on the list.

The Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies to Work for 2011

British Gas earned its highest ever ranking, 14th, in the Sunday Times Top 25 Best Big Companies 2011 rankings.

Sue Round, learning, development and engagement director, who represented British Gas at the awards ceremony, said: "I'm really pleased with this result. It's important because it's based on feedback that our people provided."

British Gas HR director, Angela Williams, said: "I'm delighted we're being recognised for what we're doing to make British Gas one of the best companies to work for in Britain."

Great Places to Work

British Gas has been named the 26th best place to work in the UK. The Great Places to Work Institute praised British Gas, alongside other companies, as a standout UK workplace.

More than 3,000 employees responded to the independent survey, which ran in November 2010. The survey assessed employees' perceptions of their workplace, tapping into their experiences of processes, levels of camaraderie and leadership.

Standout results of the survey revealed British Gas' particular strengths lay in its contribution to the community, its commitment to reducing the impact on the environment and the fairness of its pay.

In the past, British Gas Business has won a laureate award for being placed five years in a row and British Gas Services has been placed three times in the past four years.

HR Excellence Awards 2010: Most Innovative Use of Technology

A new joiner microsite with the aim to engage new staff, make sure they understood their role and the benefits available to them and help them feel positive about working for British Gas has been awarded the HR Excellence Award 2010 for Most Innovative Use of Technology. The British Gas Journey site had the longer-term goals of retaining staff for longer; reducing training time and retraining costs; reduced attrition; and lower levels of absence.

The microsite features a virtual village that can be explored with a personalised avatar. It is an initiative that could change the way people view British Gas. This is how the judges summed up this entry. "It is innovative, engaging, it meets its goals and has good links back to the business."

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Awards

Each year, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) presents three awards recognising companies and individuals who have actively addressed the issue of promoting science, engineering and construction to girls and young women.

British Gas won the 'Investor in WISE' award, with the other two finalists being the RAF and the Royal Navy. Recruitment and Diversity Specialist Carole Willsher received a WISE award from Princess Anne.

Local Employment Partnership Awards

British Gas was among the companies shortlisted for the prestigious Local Employment Partnership Awards hosted by Job Centre Plus at its recent awards ceremony in Nottingham.

British Gas was nominated for ‘Unlocking Talent’, which it won, and the ‘Getting Back to Work Award’, for which it was runner-up. The highlight of the afternoon was the ‘Outstanding LEP Achievement Award’, which again was awarded to British Gas – Leicester for the outstanding success that has been achieved with Job Centre Plus and the Local Employment Partnership.

The LEP Partnership began in 2007 with Leicester Area Service Centre successfully completing the Local Employment Partnership Trial. The partnership was rolled out nationally and now forms an integral part of the recruitment process for British Gas Contact Centre Recruitment.

Employers Forum on Age

In 2010 Centrica's group age policies and practices continued to receive external recognition, and won the Employers Forum on Age (EFA) 'Best Overall in the Private Sector' Award in June. Centrica was also winner of the Employers Forum on Age 'Innovation in Flexible Working Award 2009'.

British Gas won the 'Innovation in Attracting and Retaining Baby Boomers Award'. This was given for its campaign to fully embrace the anti-ageism legislation which resulted in sweeping changes to its training and recruitment activities. This has led to age equality in the recruitment of apprentices and trainees.

British Gas case study

• Innovation in Attracting and Retaining Baby Boomers PDF 0.08Mb

European Call Centre Awards

British Gas’ Call Centre in Cardiff has been named both ‘European Call Centre of the Year’ and ‘Best Centre to Work for in Europe’ for the second year running. The company also won the award for ‘Large Contact Centre of the Year (over 100 seats)’ in 2010, and was also highly commended for ‘Best Centre for Customer Service’.

In 2009, British Gas won the ‘Best Improvement Strategy' award for its clear goals, clear objectives and amazing results. It was also awarded a highly commended in the ‘Best Use of Technology’ for its customer feedback work.

AARP International Innovative Employer Awards

Centrica has been named a winner – for the third year running – of an international award for the way it supports employees aged over 50. The company has won the AARP International Innovative Employer Award, recognising employers around the world that have demonstrated innovative ways of tackling issues relevant to older workers. Only companies with headquarters outside the US can apply.

The Personnel Today Awards

The Personnel Today Award for 'Diversity in the Workplace for 2008' was awarded to British Gas Services.

Training Quality Standard May 2008

In May 2008, British Gas Engineering Academy achieved certification under the Training Quality Standard for Employers, an award only achieved by four organisations. The Training Quality Standard is a framework and an assessment and certification process which recognises and celebrates the best organisations delivering training and development solutions to employers.