We’re shining a spotlight on four organisations that won an award and accreditation from this year’s Best Employers Eastern Region. In this post, we’re looking at Treatt, an ingredients manufacturer and solutions provider to the global flavour, fragrance and consumer goods markets.

Treatt won the award for best overall large company, as well as gold accreditation, at the Best Employers Eastern Region 2021 awards on Thursday 30 September.

What’s Best Employers?

Founded by Pure and psychometrics experts eras Ltd in 2012, Best Employers aims to help businesses develop engaging, inspiring and inclusive workplaces that bring out the best in their people. Organisations ask their employees to fill in a confidential survey that measures engagement, culture and values. The ones with the highest scores are then eligible for an award (based on their survey scores alone) and accreditation (platinum, gold or silver, based on their survey scores and extra evidence which our judges review). What makes Best Employers’ awards particularly special is that companies are judged by the people who know them best – their own employees.

More about Treatt

Established in 1886, Treatt employs over 420 people across three continents. They provide everything from 100% natural ingredients to synthetics and aroma chemicals. They’re particularly proud of their culture, which is central to the way they deliver successful results.

Why did they win?

Treatt won this award after scoring exceptionally highly in the employee survey. This reflects the positive way they treat their people – they know that having an engaged workforce improves business performance and supports long-lasting relationships. So they’ve gone out of their way to make Treatt a special place to work and pride themselves on creating a sense of belonging for all their people.

Treatt’s company values are challenge, teamwork, pride and passion, and integrity. They encourage their people to use ‘challenge’ as an opportunity to make their working lives better through ideas and solutions. Professional development, career progression and continued education are important tools to help their people reach their true potential. They also keep employees up to date with news and updates through various different communication methods, which they try to adapt to suit different audiences in the business. And they recognise success through schemes like their ‘Employee of the quarter’ event, where colleagues are nominated for excellent work or support that aligns with the company values.

Treatt also understands the importance of employee wellbeing, and work towards the goal of ‘Think well, live well, be well'. As part of this they’re educating and encouraging their people to be proactive in this area, as well as:

• launching a wellbeing team with champions based in the UK and USA
• delivering various events connected to the wellbeing pillars
• using wellness action plans to identify triggers of stress or mental ill health, and find ways to help colleagues with these
• carrying out regular surveys to make sure they have up-to-date feedback on how people are feeling so they can fix any concerns
• helping employees during the pandemic, both at home and on-site, with regular communication including check-ins and wellbeing webinars.

Diversity and inclusion is another very important area for Treatt. They believe that creating opportunities to understand each other is the most powerful way to connect. For example, their ‘What’s Your Story’ initiative lets colleagues share their life experiences with each other, and gives them a chance to reflect on the way they behave towards each other, the language they use and how that might affect others.

Treatt also do a lot of work to support the local community. They help several different charities with activities and donations and take great pride in supporting local schools, including partnering with the Enterprise Advisor scheme.

What did the judges say?

The judges were impressed with Treatt’s inclusive culture and their commitments to making sure all their staff believe they belong there. They also pointed out how Treatt actively encourage employee involvement and participation in all parts of the business – for example by giving staff the chance to take part in share schemes, and having a peer-to-peer awards scheme.

The judges also commented on Treatt’s wellbeing goal of ‘Think well, live well and be well’. They highlighted the wellbeing pillars they’ve developed, which include champions, action plans and surveys to check they’re on track. And they were very pleased to see the work Treatt do in the community to support local charities and schools.

Want to know more?

You can see a full list of winners on the Best Employers website or read our article about the awards ceremony. And if you’re interested in taking part in the next survey in 2023, please get in touch.