Bank Van Breda, Easi, Bewire and Ormit Talent are the Best Workplaces in Belgium in 2024

The ‘Best Workplaces’ are characterised by a high degree of trust combined with meaningful values and impactful leadership, which leads to strong innovation and financial growth. Now, more than ever, the Institute looks for Best Workplaces ‘For All’: organisations that create an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone can be themselves. The Great Place To Work® Institute looks at organisations from two perspectives. Firstly, the employee survey examines employees' pride in their work and how employees experience the credibility, respect and integrity of their managers, as well as collegiality in the workplace. Secondly, the Culture Audit evaluates the organisation’s employment policy.

Best Workplaces™ in Belgium 2024

Koen Dewettinck, Professor of Human Resources at Vlerick Business School and the CEO of Great Place to Work Belgium, comments: “The Best Workplaces stand out from others by achieving a high score for management credibility and employees feeling respected by their line managers. Do managers make their expectations clear? Are they leading the organisation in the right direction and are they approachable people to talk to? More and more, we're also seeing that increasing importance is attached to purpose. Defining a clear mission and meaningful goals are gaining recognition as crucial aspects of being a good employer. Organisations that embrace a strong sense of purpose have seen that this has a positive impact on employee pride and engagement, as well as on their ability to attract and retain top talent.”

What makes these Best Workplaces so unique?

1. Well-being initiatives are increasingly tailored to the individual needs of employees. The Best Workplaces invest in understanding their employees’ personal needs and offering solutions to fit their unique circumstances. The same applies to training and career paths. Where a ‘one size fits all’ approach was often applied in the past, companies now realise it is essential to nurture individual talents, needs and ambitions.
2. A few years ago, remote working was embraced as a necessary response to external circumstances. Now, however, more and more organisations are realising that promoting a sense of belonging is essential to the well-being and productivity of their teams. Organisations are increasingly choosing to become more flexible in their remote working policies to attract and retain talent while developing new ways to foster connectedness and camaraderie, both remotely and in person.
3. Committing to diversity and inclusion is no longer considered to be a separate initiative that is independent of the core business. We are seeing more and more frequently that diversity and inclusion is fully integrated into all aspects of HR policy, ranging from recruitment and selection to talent development, corporate culture and strategic planning. Lofty words about diversity and inclusion are no longer enough; organisations are progressing from rhetoric to concrete action.

Special awards for three outstanding business cases

CornerBriX - Special award for a ‘Skills-based organisation’

This year, a special award for a skills-based organisation was presented to CornerBriX, an organisation that focuses on the expertise of its employees. Employees’ skills are seen as the driver of success. This award acknowledges CornerBriX’s ongoing commitment to building a culture that is based on identifying, developing and utilising the unique skills of its team members. CornerBriX uses personalised career paths and employee empowerment to create a culture that focuses on individuals while stimulating collective growth.

Other nominees: Ormit Talent, Axxes

Bank Van Breda – Special award for ‘sustainable recognition’

Bank Van Breda runs many initiatives to foster a culture in which every employee is encouraged to use their full potential. The award recognises the bank’s continuous engagement in creating a culture of acknowledgement and appreciation, in which the achievements and contributions of individual employees are celebrated. The organisation excels in appreciation and acknowledgement from leaders and in offering special terms and conditions of employment that strengthen the feeling of trust between employees and management.

Other nominees: Gentis, Easi

Planet Group – Special award for ‘holistic well-being’

This award recognises Planet Group’s ongoing commitment to creating a holistic well-being policy that promotes the physical, mental, emotional and social well-being of its employees. Through extensive programmes, supporting resources and a culture of care and support, Planet Group has managed to create an environment in which employees can be themselves and care about each other. Management shows a genuine interest in the people behind their employees. Planet Group excels in building a culture in which every aspect of well-being is valued and cared for.

Other nominees: Finsiders, AE