I was attracted to work at Coloplast as it was an opportunity to work for an ethical organisation which makes a difference to its customers and employees,” says one member of staff. “I feel I belong and they want me to belong,” says another. People like the Peterborough-based company because it offers enjoyable conditions and benefits, as well as clear career progression.

Coloplast’s staff sell and distribute specialist medical products including colostomy bags, incontinence wear, catheters and wound dressings. And employees feel good about going to work knowing they make life easier for people with intimate healthcare needs.

In our survey, the organisation came out top for employees believing the company makes a positive difference to the world we live in, with an 85% positive score.

People are proud to work for Coloplast (82%, a result bettered by just 30 companies) and think it is run on strong principles (80%, beaten only 25 times elsewhere). Last year the firm raised £27,000 for the local Thorpe Hall hospice, which supports cancer patients and their families.

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The efforts of the 352 staff are recognised and rewarded on a regular basis — both formally and in more spontaneous ways. Employees say their managers regularly show their appreciation when they do a good job (74%).

The benefits offered by Coloplast include a share option scheme, free private healthcare, a free gym, childcare vouchers and a contributory pension.

Then there are opportunities for career progression, such as secondments, with UK teams actively encouraged to get involved in corporate projects with their international colleagues in other subsidiaries and at the Danish parent company. Employees feel they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation (79%) and are excited about where it is going (77%), ranking 31st and 32nd respectively.

At Coloplast new starters undertake a 90-minute induction workshop and meet Graham Sethna, the managing director, who has regular walkabouts across both sites of the business, and visits the field-based sales team too. Coloplast provides education and training for the industry through symposiums and workshops for healthcare professionals, with its own staff also invited to attend.

But it’s not all work. People have fun with colleagues (78%) who go out of their way to help each other (75%).

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