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Yell has achieved a top 10 placing in the FT's top places to work in UK

Yell ranked as ninth best workplace in the UK - 28 May 2008

Yell, the international directories business, has been judged as the ninth best workplace in the UK, in research undertaken as part of the world’s largest people excellence programme.

Yell was named as one of the UK elite following selection for the Financial Times “Best Workplaces in the UK” out of an initial 200 companies that applied.

Yell’s strong placing is acknowledgement of its commitment to the development of its people, demonstrating that their welfare is a priority as well as the fostering of their personal and professional excellence.

The research, undertaken by global research and management consultancy the Great Place to Work® Institute, evaluated a “Trust Index” survey of 450 Yell people selected at random from its UK workforce of around 4,000. A “Culture Audit” was analysed too, as well as a written submission from Yell.

The research encompassed key metrics that determine a leading working environment, from the benefits available to Yell people through to levels of their engagement with senior management.

Philip Barr, Yell’s UK head of human resources, said: “To have been ranked in the Top Ten best UK workplaces and to have featured prominently in the top European list is a tremendous endorsement of the overall culture throughout the company and something that everyone at Yell should be proud of.

“Even in a challenging and competitive market environment, the workplace is about more than simply working. It is about having respect for each other, trust in each other, taking pride in what you do and also enjoying it.”

Yell was also a finalist in special awards acknowledging commitment to corporate responsibility, and training and leadership development.

The Institute’s Best Workplaces programme forms part of the world’s largest scheme to recognise excellence in people management. Its philosophy is that a great place to work is one where a company’s people trust those they work for, have pride in what they do and enjoy the people with whom they work.

Williams Johnson Mota, business development and sales manager for the Great Place to Work® Institute, said: “Yell exemplifies what it means to be a great place to work. The company has managed to balance a dynamic culture with a commitment to business excellence. The company has instigated policies that facilitate the personal and professional development of employees. Other firms would do well to emulate the best practice human resources management policies employed by this company.”
Yell, whose portfolio of products and services includes Yellow Pages directories, Yell.com and Yellow Pages 118 24 7, has been regularly recognised for its people management expertise.

It is currently one of only 37 organisations throughout the UK that are “Investors in People” Champions, acknowledging its leading example in managing and developing its people.