It ranks 67th among large employers and 12th in the financial services sector in the annual Best Companies’ survey, which singles out the society for the way it looks after the mental and physical wellbeing of employees.
Best Companies’ findings have huge credibility because they are based on real interviews with employees who can speak frankly because all feedback is anonymous. In all, 91% of Cumberland employees took part.
The survey says of the society: “The organisation believes in ensuring the mental and physical wellbeing of its employees.
“It supports the whole person, no matter their stage of life or career, living the Cumberland’s purpose of kindness and driving engagement.”
The findings praise the society for training 17 mental health champions, establishing a support group for employees going through the menopause and for its employee assistance programme and occupational health adviser.
Best Companies also highlights the Cumberland’s “fantastic people” who “live its values every day” and make the society “a great place to work”.
The Cumberland’s ranking as 67th for large employers is an improvement on 96th place last year. It is rated 46th in the North West – regardless of size – and its 12th in financial services makes it the highest placed large building society.
The results were revealed at a black-tie awards event at Battersea Evolution in London, fronted by TV personality Dan Walker.
Jill Johnston, Chief People Officer at the Cumberland, said the society was “immensely proud” to be recognised by the survey.
She added: “We’re thrilled. To be the highest-ranked large building society is something that the whole Cumberland team can take pride in. As a mutual organisation owned by our members, the savers and borrowers, we always strive to do the right thing by customers and colleagues.
“This survey shows that we’re on the right track. We’re not complacent though and we will be striving to do even better next year.”
Best Companies had previously awarded the Cumberland two-star status for workplace engagement, which recognises “outstanding commitment”.
Based in Carlisle, it is Cumbria’s largest financial institution with £2.4bn in mortgage lending and savings balances of £2.5bn. It operates 32 branches across Cumbria, Lancashire, Northumberland and southwest Scotland.