UMi adds Good Work Pledge to employer accolades

The employee-owned business is celebrating after achieving the ‘advanced’ level of the Good Work Pledge by the North of Tyne Combined Authority.

The Good Work Pledge was launched to recognise employers that support sustainable economic development in the North of Tyne area.

Organisations that achieve the ‘advanced’ Good Work Pledge demonstrate their commitment to five pillars:

1. Valuing and rewarding their workforce
2. Promoting health and wellbeing
3. Effective communications and representation
4. Developing a balanced workforce
5. Social responsibility

The Good Work Pledge recognises UMi’s commitment to listening to each member of its team, working together to achieve common goals and shape the future vision and direction of the business.

UMi makes it easier for businesses across the UK to do more and go further by finding and packaging the best information, expertise and finance to help them make better business decisions, more quickly. Some call it the sat nav for business.

UMi’s ambition is to be the best example of an employee-owned business in its sector by being a workplace where talented people thrive, and by making a positive difference to the local communities in which it works.

In 2021, UMi achieved a maximum three-star rating by Best Companies for its employee engagement, meaning it is now classed as a ‘world class employer’. It was also named one of the top 100 best mid-sized companies to work for in the UK.

UMi supports the communities in which the team lives and works. One way in which it does this is through its Community Fund which since 2019 has had contributions of over £112,000 and is used to support organisations that address isolation in its widest sense.

Jamie Driscoll, Mayor of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, said: “Good Work is the backbone of an economy that works for everyone.  It boosts companies’ productivity and boosts workers’ quality of life.  

“Our Good Work Pledge encourages and supports employers to see the benefits. Our aim is for every employer in our region to sign up to it.

“Congratulations to UMi on achieving the Good Work Pledge (Advanced Level) and becoming part of a community of best practice in responsible employment”.

Nicki Clark, Chief Executive of UMi, added: “We are incredibly proud to have our commitment to being a responsible employer recognised by the Good Work Pledge. We know that businesses are more than just bricks and mortar or numbers on a spreadsheet; they are powered by people, just like our own. We have an amazing wealth of talent in our business, and we continually work to improve the ways in which we help our team to unlock and realise their full potential.

“As the five pillars show, it’s about more than providing secure jobs, decent wages and progression opportunities. It’s also about balancing the needs of our team with those of our customers, partners and wider community, and working together to create a sustainable business. We help businesses to do more and go further, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to do the same.”