Pictured: Kerry Hayes, Shirley Lester, and Darci Allan from Islands Insurance at the Jersey’s Best Workplace awards last year.

‘Jersey’s Best Workplace’ is back for its second year – and organisers are keen for local businesses to get involved in the initiative and unlock insights about their teams.

Created by All Island Media and CompassJersey, the employee engagement award aimed to identify the gold standard of staff satisfaction in the island.

During the inaugural competition last year, businesses were benchmarked against each other and received detailed analysis, with the winners revealed in May.

Express has been speaking to previous winners about the benefits of the contest and what it felt like to win.

Islands Insurance Group was named runner-up for Jersey’s Best Workplace in the ‘large enterprise’ category.

HR business partner Tammy Rhynes reflected on the experience on behalf of the people and culture team…

What was it like to win an award in the inaugural Jersey’s Best Workplace?

Winning an award was a fantastic moment for us – not just because of the recognition, but because it validated that the work we’re doing is truly making a difference.

The most rewarding part was hearing directly from our employees and knowing that their feedback reflects a culture they value and feel proud to be part of.

What motivated you to take part in the first place?

We’ve been very intentional about building a workplace and culture that people genuinely want to be part of.

Taking part in this initiative gave us an opportunity to gather meaningful feedback – both to affirm what we’re doing well and to identify areas where we can grow.

Did the scheme benefit the firm in gathering employee insight?

Absolutely. The survey included questions that went beyond our usual internal surveys, which gave us fresh insights into areas we hadn’t explored before.

It was a valuable tool for deepening our understanding of the employee experience.

Will it shape internal practices or strategies going forward?

Yes, without a doubt. We take all feedback seriously and use it to inform our decisions.

Where improvement is needed and is possible, we’re committed to reviewing and adapting our practices and strategies to better support our people and culture.

Why do you believe fostering a great workplace culture is essential in attracting and retaining top talent in Jersey?

In a competitive recruitment market like Jersey’s, culture can be a real differentiator.

When candidates are choosing between opportunities, a strong, positive workplace culture can tip the balance. Hearing directly from our employees about their experience helps us stand out.

And when it comes to retention, a healthy culture keeps people engaged, motivated, and proud to stay.

Why do you think it is important to understand workplace culture?

Understanding your workplace culture is essential – it’s the lens through which you see how your business is really doing.

Without that insight, you risk missing early signs of disengagement or dissatisfaction.

A business can function without this awareness, but it may struggle to retain talent or understand why people are leaving until it’s too late.

GET INVOLVED…

Top-performing companies will be highlighted in a special Jersey’s Best Workplace publication distributed in print and online through the Jersey Evening Post and Bailiwick Express. 

Winners will be honoured at a special awards ceremony in 2026.

In addition to the survey results, compensation and potential to be crowned ‘Jersey’s Best Workplace’, entrants will receive an All Island Media advertising credit and an annual subscription to the digital edition of the Jersey Evening Post.

For more information, and to register, click HERE.