How to Enter the
2027 Inspiring
Workplaces Awards
UK & Ireland

Overview

This page explains how to enter the Inspiring Workplaces Awards UK & Ireland 2027, one of the leading HR and workplace awards recognising organisations that put PeopleFirst across the UK and Ireland.

The process to becoming an Inspiring Place to Work is straightforward and exciting! You’ll tell us your story by completing one entry form, designed around six key facets that we believe make an Inspiring Workplace. You’ll also answer two additional questions about your results and future plans.

Every organization has unique strengths, some areas where you truly shine and others where you’re still growing. That’s absolutely fine and our judges value your journey as much as your achievements.

Everything you need to guide you through the process is included in the entry pack and detailed below. We can’t wait to see your story!

Looking for full details about the awards? Visit the Inspiring Workplaces Awards UK & Ireland 2027 main page here

Steps in the Process

1

Download the entry pack
& review fully

2

Register on the entry platform
& familiarize yourself with the entry form

3

Draft your entry. We recommend you download the questions document and draft the entry offline first

4

Finalise your draft. Paste into the online entry platform and save.

5

Submitting additional categories? Tick the appropriate boxes on the entry platform.

6

SUBMIT and PAY. You can select to pay by card directly on the platform or pay by invoice.

The entry form explained

There is ONE entry form. It has SIX key facets we believe create an Inspiring Workplace. There are then two extra questions on results and what’s next.

We know that every single organization that enters will be strong in some areas and weaker in others. Don’t let that stop you from entering, as judges take this into consideration.

This is all covered in the entry pack.

Purpose & Culture

Question we ask:
What is the purpose of your organization and how does it feed into your culture?

Why are we asking?
People are driven by a purpose and want to be fulfilled. This is more apparent post-pandemic than ever before.

To understand what the purpose, goals and strategy of your organization are and how your people demonstrate this is imperative.

What judges are looking for?
Clear communication of purpose and how it is lived and breathed within the organization to the positive impact on the business and people. Evidence of how your organizational purpose is intertwined with everything you do across every level.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Leadership

Question we ask:
How does your leadership inspire its people to achieve success?

Why are we asking?
Inspirational leadership is the key to high performance. Value driven, authentic and honest leadership will unlock talent and create an inspiring culture throughout the organization.

What judges are looking for?
Examples of inspiring leadership and the impact this has on both people and business success. A clear focus on continuous development of your leaders.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Wellbeing

Question we ask:
How do you protect your peoples’ wellbeing day-in-day-out?

Why we are asking?
The overall wellbeing of your people is paramount to individual and organizational performance. In our eyes, wellbeing encompasses the mental, financial and the physical aspects. It shows you care for the person that works for you. They’re not just a number

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
Evidence that your wellbeing strategy positively impacts your people – from health to performance. Initiatives, statistics and stories of how your focus on wellbeing has delivered individual and company happiness and performance.

Communicating measurable outcomes will improve your score.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Inclusion & Belonging

Question we ask:
How do you continue to create an inclusive culture?

Why we are asking?
An inspiring workplace requires a truly inclusive culture; where people can bring their true selves to work in a psychologically safe environment and perform at their best.

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
An understanding of your Inclusion & Belonging strategies. Evidence of the impact your efforts have made on individuals and the organization. Your goals and achievements in creating an inclusive workplace.

Communicating measurable outcomes will improve your score.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Employee Voice

Question we ask:
How do you listen and communicate effectively with your people?

Why we are asking?
Effective two-way communication is essential in every part of our lives. Getting it right in the workplace increases trust, improves morale and enhances performance at every level. It also creates brand advocates for your organization externally too.

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
Methods of how you communicate with your people, listen to their opinions, act upon their ideas and the impact this has on individual and organizational success.

Communicating measurable outcomes will improve your score.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Experience

Question we ask:
How do you create an employee experience that your people feel like they belong to?

Why we are asking?
It’s more important than ever to focus on the EX. To empower your people to do their best work, think creatively and be adaptable.

Empowering others and ensuring everyone has a voice is critical to success.

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
Examples of agility, flexibility, decision making and resourcefulness with your people and the impact this has on them and the wider business.

Real world examples could be: remote working, tools you have given them to do their job, new work policies that provide autonomy. The development of management and leadership skills with a focus on empowerment of others.

Communicating measurable outcomes will improve your score.

Score: Will be marked out of 12
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
Outcomes

Question we ask:
What are the measurable outcomes from this overall people strategy?

Why we are asking?
Having completed the other questions and communicating the impact of each this is your chance to bring it all together and show demonstrably the benefit to the organisation and the people within it.

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
It is vital for the judges to see clear proof of your hard work, whether it be changes to certain metrics such as churn, sick days, engagement scores, accolades won, the increase in phycological safety etc..

We want to see how you have measured up against your own metrics of success.

Score: Will be marked out of 20
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words
What's next?

Question we ask:
What’s next for the organization?

Why we are asking?
A peoplefirst strategy never stands still. It is continuously evolving every time you receive feedback, every time external forces dictate, every time you have senior personnel changes etc.

What the judges are looking for? (these are examples of and not direct requests)
So we would love to know your ambitions for the rest of the year and beyond. What you hope to achieve and how you plan to continue to put your people at the heart of your organisation.

Score: Will be marked out of 08
Word limit for this section: A maximum of 400 words

Multiple Ways to be recognised

1. Inspiring Place to Work

The first way to be recognized is as an Inspiring Place to Work.

This means you are recognised in the overall Inspiring Places to Work list in your region and will receive all the associated winner logos.

You will be:

Promoted all over the world as a PeopleFirst organization
Featured on our website in your regional winners list
Featured in our media announcement
Given your own organizational page on our website
Provided with winners’ logos to promote far & wide
Presented with an iconic trophy if you attend the awards ceremony
Invited to present your work at our events & podcasts

2. Organization size/type

The first extra way to be recognized could not be any easier and it comes at no extra cost.

When submitting your entry just click the appropriate mandatory box on the form.

We announce the shortlist and present a trophy to the overall winner for each size/type at the awards ceremony.

Small

This category applies to all organisations from 0 – 49 employee

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.
Medium

This category applies to all organisations from 50 – 499 employees

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.
Large

This category applies to all organisations from 500 – 4999 employees

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.
Enterprise

This category applies to all organisations from 5000+ employees

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.
Government

This category applies to all businesses listed as government or public sector organisations.

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.
Non-Profit

This category applies to all businesses listed as non-profit or charity organisations.

As budgets and challenges vary wildly based upon the type/size of organisation, we will also announce the Top 5 per category. So you could win multiple awards from just the one submission.

3. Extra Recognition

IW understands that each organisation is at different stages of a journey and will be stronger in some areas than others.

These 6 elements of the entry form are able to be specifically judged for extra recognition. All you need to do is tick a box when submitting the entry.

There is a small additional fee (detailed in the entry pack) for each element you submit.

All organizations that meet the threshold will be listed as an Inspiring Place to Work for that category, regionally and globally.

As a result they will receive all the additional associated winner logos and will be acknowledged at the award ceremony. New for 2027! The overall winner will receive a trophy and be invited onto stage.

3a. Categories

Inspiring Place to Work for Purpose & Culture

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Culture & Purpose you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Culture & Purpose.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.
Inspiring Place to Work for Leadership

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Leadership you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Leadership.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.
Inspiring Place to Work for Wellbeing

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Wellbeing you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Wellbeing.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.
Inspiring Place to Work for Inclusion & Belonging

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Inclusion & Belonging you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Inclusion & Belonging.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.
Inspiring Place to Work for Employee Voice

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Employee Voice you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Employee Voice.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.
Inspiring Place to Work for Experience

To win in this category, you firstly need to ensure you complete the entire Inspiring Place to Work entry form – all sections.

Then at point of entry, simply tick the box on this section and pay the small additional fee (details in entry pack) to have it put forward to the judges.

To be named an Inspiring Place to Work for Experience you will need to score 10 or more out of 12 by our judges.

All winners will receive the logos and badges, be listed and marketed regionally and globally as an Inspiring Place to Work for Experience.

At the awards ceremony all winners will be acknowledged with the #1 ranked organization in the category being invited to the stage to receive a special trophy on the night.