Frequently Asked Questions
about Inspiring Place to Work™

Inspiring Place to Work™ is the recognition awarded to organisations that meet the Inspiring Workplaces Awards’ independent PeopleFirst standard.

Unlike employee survey-based workplace recognition programmes, organisations are recognised through a story-based awards process, where their culture, leadership and people practices are independently assessed by expert judges against a published framework.

Judges evaluate each organisation across key PeopleFirst disciplines including culture & purpose, leadership, wellbeing, inclusion & belonging, employee voice, communication and measurable business impact.

Being recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™ demonstrates that an organisation has shown compelling evidence of building a workplace where people and performance thrive together.

Every workplace recognition programme has its own methodology and purpose.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards is the world’s leading story-based recognition programme for PeopleFirst organisations.

Rather than relying solely on employee survey results, organisations are recognised through a story-based submission, independently assessed by expert judges against our published PeopleFirst framework.

Our judges evaluate the complete picture: how an organisation leads, communicates, supports wellbeing, listens to employees, builds an inclusive culture and delivers measurable business impact.

We believe this provides a richer understanding of an organisation by combining authentic storytelling, measurable evidence and independent expert judgement.

We also believe organisations should be able to maximise the value of their recognition. That’s why recognised organisations receive official Inspiring Place to Work™ badges and marketing assets to proudly celebrate their achievement, without ongoing licensing or logo usage fees.

For organisations that prefer independent employee survey certification, we also offer Certified PeopleFirst™, giving organisations two complementary ways to demonstrate their commitment to putting people first.

Whichever route organisations choose, our purpose remains the same: to recognise organisations where people and performance thrive together.

No.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards remains our established global workplace recognition programme.

Inspiring Place to Work™ is the recognition organisations earn through that programme.

In simple terms:

• You enter the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.
• Your organisation is independently assessed through a story-based submission by our panel of expert judges.
• If you meet our published PeopleFirst standard, you become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

This evolution gives organisations a clearer identity they can proudly use throughout the year while maintaining the trusted awards programme that has recognised PeopleFirst organisations since 2015.

From 2027, organisations that meet our independent judging standard will be recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

We’ve evolved our programme to:

• Give recognised organisations a clearer identity they can proudly use throughout the year.
• Replace full regional rankings with alphabetical Inspiring Place to Work™ Lists, while continuing to celebrate exceptional achievement through our Regional Top 5, Overall Winners and Global Top 100.
• Expand opportunities for recognition through Inspiring Place to Work™ Special Recognition categories.
• Create a clearer distinction between our two recognition programmes:
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ — story-based recognition through the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.
  • Certified PeopleFirst™ — employee survey-based certification.

Our purpose hasn’t changed. We’ve simply evolved how organisations are recognised, making that recognition clearer, more meaningful and easier to celebrate.

Over more than a decade of recognising exceptional workplace cultures, we listened carefully to entrants, winners, judges and partners.

One message became increasingly clear.

Organisations didn’t simply value winning an award—they valued being recognised for who they are.

Inspiring Place to Work™ gives organisations a lasting identity that reflects the culture they’ve built and the standard they’ve achieved.

Rather than saying “We won an award,” organisations can proudly say:

“We are an Inspiring Place to Work™.”

Our mission has always been to recognise organisations that put their people first.

Over time, we found that many conversations became focused on whether an organisation finished 12th or 18th, rather than celebrating the achievement of being recognised at all.

We believe recognition should be based on meeting an independent PeopleFirst standard, not on fitting within an arbitrary number of ranked positions.

From 2027, every organisation that meets our required standard will be recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

We will continue to celebrate exceptional achievement through our Regional Top 5, Overall Winners, Global Top 100 and Special Recognition.

While all organisations meeting our PeopleFirst standard are recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™, our judges also identify the Top 5 organisations in each region.

These organisations represent the highest-performing entries across that region and receive additional recognition for their exceptional achievement.

The Top 5 highlights excellence while ensuring the wider programme remains focused on recognising every organisation that meets our independent standard.

Each year, the highest-performing organisations from across all regions are selected for the Global Top 100 Inspiring Places to Work™.

The Global Top 100 celebrates organisations demonstrating exceptional PeopleFirst cultures on a worldwide stage.

Within the Global Top 100, we also recognise our Global Top 5, representing the highest-performing organisations globally.

Both the Global Top 100 and Global Top 5 are presented alphabetically, reflecting our commitment to recognising achievement rather than encouraging unnecessary comparison.

Special Recognition celebrates organisations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in individual PeopleFirst disciplines.

Special Recognition celebrates organisations that demonstrate outstanding achievement in individual PeopleFirst disciplines.

Following assessment of their full awards submission, organisations may also be recognised as:

• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Wellbeing
• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Leadership
• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Employee Voice
• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Inclusion & Belonging
• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Purpose & Culture
• Inspiring Place to Work™ for Employee Experience

Special Recognition is available as an optional addition to your main awards entry for a small additional fee. Organisations may choose to enter one or more categories, with each assessed independently by our judges using the relevant section(s) of the main awards submission.

Organisations that achieve the required judging standard receive official Inspiring Place to Work™ Special Recognition in the relevant category.

To celebrate exceptional achievement even further, the judges also select one Overall Winner in each Special Recognition category each year.

Special Recognition gives organisations more opportunities to celebrate the areas where they truly excel, all through a single awards entry.

Every workplace recognition programme has its own methodology.

What makes Inspiring Place to Work™ distinctive is our focus on recognising organisations that have intentionally built PeopleFirst cultures through a story-based assessment, rather than solely through an employee survey.

Entries are independently assessed by experienced judges against a published framework that considers an organisation’s strategy, leadership, evidence, measurable outcomes and overall impact across multiple PeopleFirst disciplines.

This approach allows organisations to demonstrate not only what they do, but why they do it, how they do it and, most importantly, the difference it makes to their people and their business.

For organisations looking to measure recognition through independent employee feedback, we also offer Certified PeopleFirst™, our employee survey-based certification programme.

Our aim is simple: to recognise organisations where PeopleFirst cultures help both people and performance thrive together.

No.

Recognition is earned by meeting our independent PeopleFirst judging standard.

Organisations that do not achieve the required standard are not recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

This ensures the recognition remains meaningful, credible and valued by organisations around the world.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards are about far more than winning a trophy.

Entering provides an opportunity to:

• Benchmark your organisation against an independent PeopleFirst framework.
• Celebrate your people and culture.
• Strengthen your employer brand.
• Attract and retain talent.
• Receive personalised feedback from experienced judges.
• Gain recognition that demonstrates your commitment to building a workplace where people and performance thrive together.

Whether you become Officially Shortlisted, recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™, receive Special Recognition, become a Regional Top 5, an Overall Winner or make the Global Top 100, entering provides valuable recognition and insights that extend well beyond the awards ceremony.

Any organisation that is committed to building a PeopleFirst culture can enter the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.

We welcome entries from organisations of all sizes, sectors and industries, including private businesses, public sector organisations, charities and not-for-profit organisations.

Whether you’re a small team of 20 people or a global enterprise with thousands of employees, our judging framework focuses on the impact you’ve created relative to your organisation.

Organisations should enter the region where the majority of their employees are based or where the workplace culture described in the submission is primarily delivered.

If your organisation operates across multiple countries or you’re unsure which region is most appropriate, our team is happy to help.

Yes.

If your organisation operates across multiple regions, you may be eligible to enter more than one regional programme.

Each regional entry should reflect the people, culture and initiatives relevant to that region.

If you’re unsure, please contact our team before entering.

Each region has its own entry deadlines and awards calendar.

Please visit your regional awards page for the latest information on:

• Entry deadlines
• Shortlist announcements
• Winners announcements
• Awards ceremonies and events

Through a single awards entry, organisations have multiple opportunities for recognition.

These include:

• Officially Shortlisted
• Inspiring Place to Work™
• Regional Top 5
• Overall Winner (by organisation size)
• Global Top 100 Inspiring Places to Work™
• Global Top 5
• Special Recognition including:
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Wellbeing
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Leadership
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Employee Voice
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Inclusion & Belonging
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Purpose & Culture
  • Inspiring Place to Work™ for Employee Experience

No.

Special Recognition is available only as an optional addition to a full Inspiring Workplaces Awards entry.

It is not a standalone programme.

To be considered for Inspiring Place to Work™ for Wellbeing, Leadership, Employee Voice, Inclusion & Belonging, Purpose & Culture or Employee Experience, organisations must first complete the full awards submission.

This ensures every Special Recognition recipient has been assessed against the complete PeopleFirst framework while allowing judges to recognise excellence in individual disciplines.

Yes.

Organisations may choose to enter one or more Special Recognition categories as part of their awards submission.

Each category is assessed independently using the relevant sections of your main awards entry and is subject to a small additional fee.

There is no limit to the number of Special Recognition categories you can enter.

Entry fees vary by region and organisation size.

A small optional additional fee applies for each Special Recognition category entered.

Please visit your regional awards page for current pricing or contact our team if you require a quotation.

Yes.

Many organisations choose to work with consultants or agencies to help prepare and submit their entry.

However, the submission should accurately reflect the organisation’s own PeopleFirst culture, initiatives and results. We encourage organisations to remain actively involved throughout the submission process to ensure the entry is authentic and representative.

By submitting an entry on behalf of a client, consultants and agencies confirm that they have the organisation’s knowledge and permission to submit the entry and that the information provided has been approved by the client.

Ultimately, the organisation itself remains responsible for the accuracy of the submission.

Absolutely.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards are open to organisations from every sector, including charities, not-for-profit organisations, educational institutions and government organisations.

Outstanding PeopleFirst cultures exist in every type of organisation, and our judging framework has been designed to recognise excellence regardless of sector.

Most organisations complete their entry between 4-6 hours, although this will depend on how prepared you are.

If you already have a clear understanding of your PeopleFirst culture, or have entered similar awards before, the process is usually straightforward. If you’re gathering information for the first time, you may want to allow additional time to collect examples and supporting evidence.

Our entry form has been designed to be concise and focused, making it easy to showcase your organisation without unnecessary paperwork.

Yes.

You can save your submission and return to it at any time before the entry deadline.

Many organisations build their entry over several weeks as they gather information and review their responses.

Yes.

You can update and refine your submission as many times as you like before the entry deadline.

Once entries have closed and judging has begun, submissions can no longer be amended.

Yes.

You’re welcome to use AI tools to help organise your thoughts, improve clarity or refine your writing.

However, your submission should always accurately reflect your organisation, your culture and your achievements. Any information, data or examples included in your entry remain your responsibility.

While AI can help structure a response, the strongest submissions combine clear writing with authentic stories, meaningful evidence and measurable outcomes. Judges are looking for genuine insight into your organisation, not generic or overly polished responses.

We encourage organisations to use AI as a helpful assistant, but not as a substitute for their own experience, knowledge and voice.

Yes.

Many organisations use a previous submission as a starting point.

However, we strongly encourage entrants to update their responses with new initiatives, fresh evidence and measurable outcomes that demonstrate how their PeopleFirst culture has continued to evolve.

Judges are looking for current examples and the progress your organisation has made since its previous entry.

Once your submission has been received:

1. Your entry is checked for completeness.
2. It is independently assessed by our judging panel.
3. Official Shortlists are announced.
4. Organisations meeting our PeopleFirst standard become recognised as Inspiring Place to Work™ at our award ceremonies around the world.
5. Regional Top 5, Overall Winners, Global Top 100 and Special Recognition recipients are announced.
6. Every entrant receives personalised judges’ feedback.

The exact timeline varies by region, so please refer to your regional awards page for key dates.

Absolutely.

Our team is always happy to help you choose the correct region, explain the entry process or answer any questions before you submit.

Simply get in touch via the Contact Us page (at the bottom of this page) and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Yes.

We treat every submission as confidential.

Information contained within your entry will only be shared with the Inspiring Workplaces team and the independent judges responsible for assessing your submission.

We will never publish, share or attribute information from your entry without your prior permission if it could reasonably identify your organisation or reveal commercially sensitive information.

From time to time, we may use anonymised themes, insights or examples from entries to help educate the wider PeopleFirst community through reports, articles or guidance. Where we do this, the information will not be attributable to any individual organisation unless we have received your explicit consent.

Protecting the confidentiality of your submission is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and trust of the awards programme.

If your organisation is recognised through the Inspiring Workplaces Awards, we may publicly announce your achievement and use your organisation’s name and logo in connection with promoting the awards.

This may include:

• The Inspiring Workplaces website and Winners Directory.
• Press releases and media announcements.
• Social media and digital marketing.
• Awards presentations and event materials.
• Reports highlighting recognised organisations and PeopleFirst best practice.

We will never publish confidential information from your submission without your prior consent.

Our aim is to celebrate your achievement while respecting the confidentiality of the information you have entrusted to us.

We encourage recognised organisations to proudly share their Inspiring Place to Work™ recognition using the official logos and marketing assets we provide.

Every entry is independently reviewed by experienced judges using our published judging framework.

Judges assess organisations across the six PeopleFirst disciplines, considering the quality of the strategy, supporting evidence, measurable outcomes and overall impact demonstrated within the submission.

Each section is scored independently before an overall score is calculated.

Where required, scores are moderated to ensure consistency across judges, organisation sizes and regions.

Our judging panels are made up of experienced HR, people, leadership and business professionals from around the world.

Judges are selected for their expertise across workplace culture, leadership, employee experience and organisational performance.

Every judge receives guidance on our scoring methodology and judging framework before reviewing entries.

The judging framework assesses how effectively an organisation has built a PeopleFirst culture.

Judges consider:

• Strategy and clarity of approach
• Leadership commitment
• Evidence and supporting examples
• Measurable outcomes and business impact
• Authenticity and consistency
• Overall quality of the submission

Our framework is designed to reward organisations that demonstrate both strong people practices and tangible organisational outcomes.

Our complete Judging Framework and Scoring Guide is available to download below.

The guide explains:

• The six PeopleFirst disciplines that are assessed.
• How each section is scored.
• What judges look for in high-scoring submissions.
• The evidence and outcomes that strengthen an entry.
• The minimum score required to become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.
• How Special Recognition and Overall Winners are determined.

We encourage entrants to read the Judging Framework before starting their submission, as it provides practical guidance on how to prepare the strongest possible entry.

Download the Inspiring Workplaces Awards Judging Framework & Scoring Guide here. 

Yes.

To become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™, organisations must achieve an overall judging score of 70 or above out of a possible 100.

Our judges assess every entry against a published scoring framework that evaluates your organisation’s PeopleFirst strategy, evidence, measurable outcomes and overall impact. A score of 70 represents the standard required to become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™, demonstrating a strong, well-rounded PeopleFirst culture.

Organisations scoring 60–69 are recognised as Officially Shortlisted, acknowledging that they have demonstrated many strong PeopleFirst practices and are progressing towards the Inspiring Place to Work™ standard.

Scores below 60 are not shortlisted.

We believe recognition should be based on achieving a clearly defined standard rather than simply finishing within a limited number of ranked positions. This approach allows every organisation that genuinely meets the standard to be recognised.

Exceptional achievement is then celebrated through our Regional Top 5, Overall Winners, Global Top 100 and Special Recognition.

Consistency is extremely important to us.

All judges receive detailed scoring guidance and assess entries using the same published framework.

We also provide examples of what strong evidence looks like across different score levels, helping judges apply the criteria consistently regardless of organisation size or sector.

Where appropriate, scores are moderated to identify significant variations and ensure the framework is being applied fairly across all entries.

Yes.

Unlike anonymous survey-based programmes, our awards assess an organisation’s strategy, culture and impact.

Knowing which organisation has submitted allows judges to understand the context, scale and sector in which it operates.

However, judges are expected to remain completely impartial and assess every submission solely against the published judging framework.

Any judge with a conflict of interest is removed from assessing that organisation’s entry.

The strongest submissions combine clear storytelling with credible evidence.

We encourage organisations to include:

• Measurable outcomes
• Employee feedback
• Data and KPIs
• Examples of initiatives
• Leadership actions
• Policies and programmes
• Business impact
• Supporting documents where appropriate

Rather than including large quantities of evidence, focus on the examples that best demonstrate your PeopleFirst approach and the difference it has made.

Storytelling helps judges understand your organisation, but storytelling alone does not achieve high scores. Strong entries combine clear narrative with credible evidence, measurable outcomes and authentic examples. The best submissions tell a compelling story that is supported by proof.

Yes.

Every organisation that submits a complete entry receives personalised feedback from our judges, regardless of whether they are recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

Your feedback is designed to help you understand both your strengths and opportunities for further development. It includes:

• Feedback from the judging panel on your submission.
• Identification of the strongest section of your entry.
• Identification of the section with the greatest opportunity for improvement.
• Practical observations to help strengthen future submissions and continue developing your PeopleFirst culture.

We believe every organisation that invests the time to enter should receive valuable insights in return, making the awards a learning and development experience as well as a recognition programme.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards intentionally use a story-based assessment.

Our judges evaluate an organisation’s PeopleFirst strategy, leadership, evidence and outcomes through a comprehensive written submission.

This approach enables organisations to demonstrate not only what they have achieved, but also how and why they achieved it.

For organisations looking for recognition based on independent employee feedback, we also offer Certified PeopleFirst™, our employee survey certification programme.

Together, these provide two complementary ways to recognise outstanding PeopleFirst organisations.

Yes.

Where appropriate, scores are reviewed to identify significant variations between judges.

Moderation is designed to ensure the published judging framework has been applied consistently while respecting the independent judgement of each judge.

The moderation process focuses on fairness and consistency rather than changing scores to achieve predetermined outcomes.

The judges’ decisions are final.

Because every submission is independently assessed against the same published framework, we do not operate a formal appeals process.

However, we are always happy to answer questions about our methodology, judging process and recognition programme to help organisations better understand how entries are assessed.

Organisations recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™ receive a comprehensive marketing toolkit to help celebrate and promote their achievement.

This includes:

• Official Inspiring Place to Work™ logos and badges.
• Winner announcement assets.
• Marketing and social media graphics.
• A profile in our Winners Directory.
• Promotion across Inspiring Workplaces’ digital channels.
• Personalised judges’ feedback.

Organisations attending one of our regional awards ceremonies also receive an official Inspiring Place to Work™ trophy as part of their celebration.

Depending on the level of recognition achieved, organisations may also receive Special Recognition, Regional Top 5, Overall Winner or Global Top 100 honours.

Yes.

Recognised organisations are encouraged to use the official badge to celebrate their achievement.

Many organisations display it on:

• Company websites
• Careers pages
• Recruitment campaigns
• Email signatures
• LinkedIn
• Social media
• Tender documents
• Presentations
• Office signage
• Annual reports

Using the official badge helps communicate your commitment to building a PeopleFirst workplace.

No.

There are no licensing fees, annual renewal fees or ongoing charges to use your official Inspiring Place to Work™ badges and logos during the period in which your recognition is valid.

Once recognised, we actively encourage organisations to celebrate and promote their achievement across their website, careers pages, recruitment campaigns, social media, presentations and marketing materials.

Unlike many recognition programmes, we believe organisations should be able to maximise the value of their achievement without paying additional licensing or logo usage fees.

Our goal is simple: we want your Inspiring Place to Work™ recognition to be seen, shared and celebrated. That’s why we don’t charge ongoing licensing or logo usage fees.

Your recognition applies to the award year shown on your badge.

You may continue to reference your achievement as an Inspiring Place to Work™ 2027 (for example), provided the year remains visible and the badge is not altered.

If you are recognised again in future years, you’ll receive updated badges reflecting your new recognition.

Yes.

You may use the official badge in both digital and printed materials, including brochures, exhibition stands, office displays and promotional merchandise.

Yes.

Organisations that attend one of our regional Inspiring Workplaces Awards ceremonies receive an official Inspiring Place to Work™ trophy as part of the celebration.

Our ceremonies are an opportunity to celebrate with fellow PeopleFirst organisations, recognise your team’s achievement and receive your trophy in person.

If you’re unable to attend, trophies can also be purchased separately after the winners have been announced.

Recognition doesn’t end with the awards announcement. It becomes part of your organisation’s story.

As an Inspiring Place to Work™, your achievement becomes part of our global PeopleFirst community. We actively promote recognised organisations throughout the year to help celebrate their success and inspire others.

Depending on the recognition achieved, organisations may be featured through:

• A profile in our Winners section.
• Regional and global winners announcements promoted to traditional and digital media.
• Coverage across Inspiring Workplaces’ website, newsletter and social media channels.
• Speaking opportunities at the Inspiring Workplaces Awards, Global PeopleFirst Summit and other events.
• Guest appearances on the Inspire Club Podcast.
• Presentations during our Summer Series and other virtual events.
• Thought leadership opportunities, including articles, interviews, case studies and research.
• Invitations to participate in roundtables, webinars and other community initiatives.

While opportunities vary throughout the year, our ambition is simple: to help recognised organisations share their PeopleFirst stories and inspire workplaces around the world.

Yes.

Marketing agencies, PR agencies and recruitment partners may use your official recognition when promoting your organisation, provided the recognition relates specifically to your organisation and the official badge is used without modification.

Absolutely.

Many organisations use their Inspiring Place to Work™ recognition to strengthen employer branding and attract talent.

The badge can be used across recruitment campaigns, careers websites, job advertisements and onboarding materials to showcase your commitment to building a PeopleFirst workplace.

Yes.

We actively encourage recognised organisations to celebrate their achievement across LinkedIn and other social platforms.

We’ll also provide social media assets and suggested copy to help you share your recognition with employees, customers and prospective candidates.

To protect the integrity and consistency of the recognition, the official Inspiring Place to Work™ badge and logos should not be altered.

This includes changing the colours, fonts, proportions, wording or creating your own versions of the artwork.

However, you are actively encouraged to incorporate the official badge into your own marketing and communications, including your website, careers pages, social media, presentations, recruitment campaigns, brochures, exhibition stands and other promotional materials.

Please use the official artwork supplied by Inspiring Workplaces and refer to our Brand Guidelines for guidance on correct usage.

Your recognition always remains part of your organisation’s history.

However, when promoting your achievement, you should always use the badge and year associated with the award you received.

If your organisation achieves recognition again in future years, we encourage you to use the most recent badge alongside previous years where appropriate.

Yes.

You may continue to celebrate previous recognition, provided the original award year remains visible.

Many organisations proudly display multiple years of recognition to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to building a PeopleFirst workplace.

Not at all.

Building a great workplace is a journey, not a destination.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards recognise organisations that are making meaningful progress, not those claiming to be perfect. Our judges want to understand where you’ve been, what you’re working towards and, most importantly, the impact your PeopleFirst approach is already having.

If you’re committed to creating a better workplace and can demonstrate real progress, we’d encourage you to enter.

You might be surprised.

Every year we hear from organisations who tell us they’re “not ready” or “probably not good enough”—many go on to become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

Our judges aren’t looking for the biggest budgets or the most polished programmes.

They’re looking for organisations that genuinely care about their people, have a clear PeopleFirst approach and can demonstrate the difference it’s making.

Some of the most inspiring entries come from organisations doing simple things exceptionally well.

Can smaller organisations compete?

Absolutely.

Creating an inspiring workplace isn’t about spending the most money.

Many of our highest-scoring organisations have achieved remarkable results through thoughtful leadership, strong communication, listening to their people and consistently putting PeopleFirst.

Our judges assess impact, not budget.

That’s why organisations of every size, sector and resource level have been recognised through the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.

Absolutely.

Many organisations entering the Inspiring Workplaces Awards don’t have a dedicated HR or People team.

We’re interested in how your organisation puts people first, regardless of who leads that work. In many organisations, culture is driven by founders, CEOs, managers or small leadership teams.

What matters is the impact you’re making, not your organisational structure.

Not at all.

Every year we welcome organisations entering workplace awards for the very first time.

Our entry process has been designed to be straightforward, and our published Judging Framework explains exactly what our judges are looking for.

Many first-time entrants go on to become recognised as an Inspiring Place to Work™.

Absolutely.

Previous awards don’t influence our judging.

Every organisation starts with a blank page, and every entry is assessed independently against the same published framework.

Our judges focus on your PeopleFirst culture, the evidence you provide and the impact you’ve created—not your awards history.

You can explore organisations recognised through the Inspiring Workplaces Awards in our Winners section.

Winners are organised by region and year, making it easy to discover organisations that have been recognised around the world.

Each winner profile highlights the organisation’s achievement and forms part of our growing global community of PeopleFirst organisations.

As our programme continues to evolve, we’ll continue expanding the ways you can explore and discover recognised organisations.

Absolutely.

Many organisations enter year after year to benchmark their progress, celebrate continued improvement and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to building a PeopleFirst culture.

Every year’s entry is assessed independently, giving organisations the opportunity to showcase new initiatives, fresh evidence and continued progress.

Yes.

Many organisations choose to enter multiple workplace recognition programmes.

Each programme has its own methodology and judging framework, so previous entries can often provide a useful starting point when preparing your Inspiring Workplaces Awards submission.

We encourage organisations to tailor their entry to reflect our published judging framework and PeopleFirst philosophy.

Absolutely.

Many organisations use the personalised feedback provided by our judges to strengthen both their workplace culture and future submissions.

Every entry is assessed independently each year, and we encourage organisations to view the awards as part of their ongoing PeopleFirst journey rather than a one-off event.

Yes.

Our team regularly speaks at conferences, leadership events, webinars and organisational meetings around the world on topics including PeopleFirst cultures, leadership, employee experience and the future of work.

If you’d like to discuss a speaking opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

We work with a select number of organisations that share our belief that putting people first leads to stronger organisational performance.

Partnership opportunities include regional awards, global initiatives, thought leadership, events, research and community engagement.

If you’re interested in becoming a partner or sponsor, please contact our team to discuss opportunities.

Our Rules of Entry and Terms & Conditions explain the eligibility requirements, judging process, use of recognition, confidentiality and other important information relating to the Inspiring Workplaces Awards.

We recommend reviewing these documents before submitting your entry.

We’re always happy to help.

Whether you have a question about entering, judging, recognition, sponsorship or anything else, our team is here to support you.

Visit our Contact Us page or email us directly and we’ll be happy to assist.