Castle Awards

The Government launched the Castle Awards scheme named after Barbara Castle who introduced the Equal Pay Act 1970 to recognise employers’ efforts to promote equal pay and opportunities in the workplace.

Benefits for employers included gaining specific Government recognition of their good practice in addressing equality of opportunity and pay inequality in their workforce, rewarding their investment of time and money, improved productivity, improved staff morale and improved equal pay strategy.

Winners included the National Assembly for Wales, WEETU, Unilever, Listawood and Asda with special awards for Margaret Prosser (formerly Deputy General Secretary of TGWU).

The Castle Awards have been amalgamated with The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For to assist with improving employment conditions across the UK.

Why should you become involved?

This high-profile supplement is widely read by people wanting to work within these outstanding companies and customers wishing to deal with ethical organisations.

Are we eligible?

Any organisation publicly quoted, privately owned, non-profit or governmental agency can participate as long as it meets The Sunday Time’s eligibility requirement (250 employees in the UK and at least five years old)

Fewer than 250 employees?

For the first time, in 2004 companies with between 50 and 250 employees competed for a place on a special Sunday Times list of the Best Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) To Work For.

Want to get involved?

Nominations can come from anyone: you don’t need to be an executive, manager or even an employee of the company you wish to nominate.

How do we register?

Register online or email info@bestcompanies with a brief two-to three-paragraph summary of what makes your organisation one of the Best Companies to Work For in the UK. You can write to Best Companies Ltd, Hamilton House, Rackery Lane, Llay, Wrexham LL12 0PB Tel 01978 856 222 or Fax: 01978 855 900.

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Useful websites

100 Best Companies

Kingsmill Review

Equal Opportunities Commission

Towards a Closing of the Gender Pay Gap