A top employer
G4S is one of Britain’s Top Employers – an accolade that speaks for itself
Based on comprehensive and independent research as well as an in-depth, objective assessment of HR policies, the Top Employers methodology identifies the very best places to work in the country - whether you’re looking for high rates of pay, excellent career prospects, a relaxed working environment or superb training.
An outstanding workplace
So what makes G4S such an outstanding workplace? For a start, we believe in giving our people room to manoeuvre.
“There are only just over 100 people at head office and that’s deliberate, because too much centralisation stifles an organisation and slows it down,” says Group HR Director Irene Cowden.
“Our managers are allowed considerable autonomy. We draw the box for people but within that there’s a lot of freedom on how to deliver, and the people who thrive at G4S are those who like to take accountability and responsibility.”
A friendly culture
“There’s a very friendly culture in the organisation, and you get a very positive response wherever you go in the world,” says group CEO Nick Buckles. “We’ve always been very open in terms of communication and there’s very little internal politics.”
Group HR Director Irene Cowden adds: “New recruits, often at senior levels, are pleasantly surprised by the warmth with which they – and their ideas – are welcomed. We’re not afraid of innovation and new ideas. One of the ways in which we add most to the business through our huge geographical reach is by identifying best practice and sharing it across the group.”
Work abroad
One major career attraction is the opportunity to work abroad.
“We actively encourage people to move around internationally, whether that’s a two-week job swap or a permanent relocation,” says Cowden.
“It’s a great way of stretching and developing people, and of sharing ideas and innovation.” We encourage temporary job swaps in the UK for the same reason – we like to move managers between disciplines and product areas to develop both the individual and our company.
Promoting our people
What’s more, wherever possible, we like to promote our people internally - and a full two-thirds of our posts are filled this way.
This is all reflected in our exceptionally low staff turnover – quite simply, people like working here, and once they’ve arrived, they tend to stay. We’ve got a turnover of only 6-7% at senior management level and less than 15% for other management levels overall. Our top 18 managers have an average service of 23 years.
“I’ve been here 30 years and I still look forward to coming to work!” says Cowden.
Read the full G4S: Britain's Top Employers leaflet
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