We often hear organisations express an interest in the Great Place to Work® Programme, only to pause and say, “We’re just not ready yet.” Maybe they believe they need more polished policies, higher engagement scores, or a longer track record of success before taking the plunge.
But here's the truth: the only thing you truly need to be ready is the desire to build a better workplace.
At Great Place to Work®, we meet organisations where they are. There’s no “perfect” starting point, no prescribed shape or size of the ideal participant. Whether your organisation is in a period of rapid growth, transition, or recovery, we work without judgement and with no preconceived notions. The path to becoming a truly great workplace is ongoing—and starting today means you’re already on that path.
So, when is the right time to join the programme?
You guessed it: right now. Let’s explore why.
Yes, the idea of earning the title of being a “Great Place to Work” and joining the ranks of recognised companies is exciting — and it's one of the most visible aspects of the programme. The annual Best Workplaces™ Awards are an inspiring celebration of companies that have committed to building strong, inclusive, and high-trust cultures.
However, recognition is not the goal — it’s the byproduct.
The heart of the Great Place to Work® Programme is about building better workplaces from the inside out. Accreditation is the reward, not the reason. It’s a validation of the effort your organisation has put into creating an environment where people feel trusted, heard, empowered, and valued.
When your organisation focuses on building trust, improving communication, encouraging leadership accountability, and supporting employee wellbeing, you begin to lay the foundation for sustainable success.
When you conduct the Trust Index™ Survey, you gain access to deep, actionable insights into your employee experience — insights that most internal surveys or pulse checks simply don’t uncover. This survey doesn’t just tell you what your people think; it tells you why they feel the way they do and where the greatest opportunities for growth lie.
But it’s what you do next that makes the difference.
Our consultants work with you to interpret your results, identify areas that matter most, and help you build a roadmap for improvement. Whether it’s strengthening internal communication, investing in employee wellbeing, or building more effective recognition practices, the data helps you focus your efforts where they’ll have the biggest impact.
This approach saves you time, money, and guesswork. It ensures that your people strategy is grounded in real experiences, not assumptions.
One of the most common concerns we hear is: “But what if we don’t get Certified or make the list?”
It’s a valid question — and a vulnerable one. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be perfect to participate. In fact, many organisations don’t receive accreditation on their first try, and that’s completely fine.
Everything we do is confidential. No one outside your organisation will see your survey results unless you choose to share them. This allows you the freedom to reflect, learn, and improve without external pressure. You’re not entering a competition — you’re embarking on a development journey.
Some of our most successful and admired clients didn’t get there overnight. They used the process — not the recognition — as the driver of transformation. And over time, as culture matured and practices improved, recognition followed naturally.
We have countless case studies that illustrate this journey: organisations that used the Great Place to Work® framework to evolve into workplaces they’re proud of, step by step.
Another myth we often encounter is that the programme is just for large, well-resourced companies. Not the case! In fact, some of the most innovative and human-centric workplaces are small organisations with lean teams and tight budgets.
The Great Place to Work® Programme is scalable. It’s designed to work for start-ups, SMEs, non-profits, and global enterprises alike. Every workplace has unique challenges and opportunities, and the programme adapts to meet those needs.
The desire to put people first isn’t dependent on headcount - it’s a leadership mindset. And culture doesn’t have to wait for a bigger office or a longer client list. You can start building a high-trust environment right now, no matter your size or stage.
One of the biggest benefits of joining the programme is access to expert support and a community of like-minded organisations. When you become part of the Great Place to Work® network, you're not just getting a badge — you’re joining a network of likeminded individuals and organisations from whom you can learn a great deal - and teach them a thing or two too!
You’ll receive ongoing guidance, benchmarking data, learning opportunities, and thought leadership to help you along the way. Our mission is to support you — not to judge your progress, but to accelerate it.
Waiting for the “right time” to invest in culture often means never getting around to it. There will always be competing priorities: a new product launch, a restructuring, a hiring wave, a funding round.
But culture isn’t something you address once everything else is sorted. It’s the foundation that allows everything else to succeed.
Joining the Great Place to Work® Programme doesn’t mean your organisation is claiming to be perfect. It means you’re committed to growth, transparency, and people-first leadership — and that’s what truly makes a workplace great.
Participating in the Great Place to Work Programme is easier than ever, and we have a range of options available to you. To learn more, check out our webinar below, answering any burning questions you might have about getting involved with the programme.
About Great Place to Work®
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. We help organisations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. We recognise Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces™ in more than 60 countries. To join the thousands of companies that have committed to building high-trust company cultures that help them attract, retain and take care of their people, contact us about getting Certified today.