The Carlisle-based mutual has just been awarded the highest possible three-star accreditation from Best Companies, given only to organisations that “truly excel” and provide “world-class levels of workplace engagement”.
Cumberland chief executive Des Moore said he was “bursting with pride”.
Jill Johnston, chief people and sustainability officer, added: “Put simply, I’m ecstatic about this result and what it means for everyone at the Cumberland. Achieving this world-class rating is not easy.
“It is thanks to the significant progress, change and effort from every single person in the organisation who collectively work together to make this workplace somewhere everyone belongs. People make the Cumberland.
“I’m so passionate about having an environment where people can bring their authentic selves to work and thrive in what they do.
“The feedback in the survey reinforces how connected our colleagues are to our Kinder Banking purpose, and this really translates in how they interact with each other as a team and also the service that they provide to our customers.”
Best Companies’ findings have added credibility because they are based on responses from almost 90 percent of the Cumberland’s workforce. Colleagues were able to speak frankly because all feedback is anonymous.
The Society moved up from two stars last year thanks to strong performance in the “giving something back” and “wellbeing” criteria.
The Cumberland places great emphasis on the wellbeing of colleagues. Recent initiatives have included a menopause policy, work to improve mental health, and a neurodiversity toolkit in partnership with the charity Owl Blue.
In addition, Cumberland colleagues are encouraged to take a paid day off every year to support local charities and community groups.
More than 160 did so last year, volunteering in a wide range of organisations, such as Oak Tree Animals’ Charity, Cumbria Wildlife Trust and FareShare Lancashire & Cumbria, which the Cumberland is backing to the tune of £250,000 a year through its Kinder Kind of Kitchen programme. This donation has already helped support the delivery of the equivalent of 482,018 meals at the 52 foodbanks and community food hubs in the network.
As well as the star ratings for workplace engagement, Best Companies produces annual rankings of the best companies to work for.
Last year, the Cumberland was 67th among large employers and 12th in financial services, making it the highest placed large building society. It looks set to do even better when this year’s rankings are announced in November.
The Society is Cumbria’s largest financial institution with assets of £3.2bn, mortgage lending of £2.59bn and branches across Cumbria, Northumberland, Lancashire and southwest Scotland.