What the Best Places to Work in 2025 Are Doing Differently
Each year, the The Sunday Times list of Best Places to Work shines a light on businesses that aren't just growing profits, but growing people.
After reviewing the list of these stand-out employers, a few bold, human-first themes are emerging - and they point to something much bigger than perks or policy.
Here’s what the best employers are doing differently in 2025. And why it matters.
1. Human-Centred Flexibility
Forget generic hybrid policies. The best companies are designing flexibility around real life:
Four-day weeks
Compressed hours, "life admin" days, and paid sabbaticals
Work-from-anywhere policies that don’t require justification
Flexibility is no longer a perk - it's a principle. A sign of trust. And a key to long-term performance.
2. Wellbeing That Goes Beyond Posters
These employers treat wellbeing as a living system, not a slide deck. Examples include:
In-house therapists, reflective practice, mental health first aiders
Wellness stipends, yoga sessions, massage rooms
Specific support for IVF, menopause, bereavement, and more
We're seeing a shift from reactive to proactive wellbeing. It’s not just about avoiding burnout - it’s about designing cultures where people can thrive.
3. Real Career Growth (Without Burnout)
These businesses aren’t obsessed with titles. They’re building meaningful progression that respects the human behind the role:
Transparent career ladders and peer-nominated promotions
In-house academies, mentoring, and regular coaching
L&D that’s shaped around values, not just output
This is development with soul. Growth that fits life, not just spreadsheets.
4. Recognition Is a Rhythm, Not a One-Off
Recognition isn't saved for the Christmas party. It's baked into how people work, lead, and connect:
Peer-to-peer shoutouts and daily value awards
Town halls with public gratitude rituals
Celebrations of personal and professional milestones
The best workplaces make people feel seen. Often. Authentically. Thoughtfully.
5. Inclusion in Action (Not Slogan)
We’re seeing real maturity in how DEI shows up:
Neurodiversity, disability, menopause and domestic violence champions
Flexible dress codes, accessible workspaces, personalisation over policy
Internal campaigns that spotlight employee voices and stories
It’s not a diversity statement on the website, it's lived inclusion. And I'm here for it!
6. Purpose That Feels Personal
Purpose isn’t just a sentence on the wall. It shows up in everyday choices:
Paid volunteering days (often 2–5 per year)
Value-based awards and charity partnerships
Company-wide gatherings that re-anchor people in the "why"
There is an increasing need for employees to feel aligned to the company's vision and values - for work to mean more to them than a paycheck. They want to feel like the work they do matters. The best companies realise this, and the enormous advantage that purpose plays in growth.
7. Joy Is Strategy
You can feel it. The culture isn’t heavy, even in high-performing environments. There’s space for joy, levity, connection:
Team lunches, silly awards, seasonal socials
Personal touches: a tree in the office, bingo nights, mural painting
Spaces that are designed to feel good, not just look good
Joy isn’t superficial - it’s cultural currency. And the best workplaces are rich in it.
What They’re Not Doing
What's as important is what these companies have chosen NOT to do. We can learn as much from this...
Endless KPIs with no context
Ping-pong tables with toxic leadership
Policies that punish difference
"Wellbeing" sessions in burnout cultures
The best employers are designing for humans, not high performers on a hamster wheel.
Final Thought
What makes these companies exceptional isn’t perfection. It’s intentionality. They listen. They adapt. They care. And they treat culture like what it truly is: a strategic advantage.
They’re not asking: "What’s the bare minimum we need to offer?" They’re asking: "What kind of workplace do our people deserve?"
That’s the future of work. And it’s already here.
For those of you who know me, you'll know how all of this makes my heart happy. Creating cultures where people feel seen, valued and heard is right for the individual as well as the company itself. These companies are showing how best practice creates faster growth.
I'd love to know: which of these themes resonates most with you? Are you seeing these shifts in your own organisation?