Impression is officially named a 2022 UK’s Best Workplaces™ for Women

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Impression has ranked 17th among 96 medium-sized companies

View the full list here.

According to Great Place to Work, this recognition confirms that Impression:

  • Is a great workplace FOR ALL, including women
  • Is an organisation where people trust each other and employees are able to reach their full human potential, no matter who they are or what they do
  • Supports the different identities women hold and ensure their daily experiences are positively and consistently experienced
  • Recognises that women are a valuable talent pool and strive for fair representation of women in the workforce and throughout management

The following are some recent changes and new policies that have been rolled out that support women across the digital agency:

Pregnancy loss leave

Recognising that pregnancy loss is a type of bereavement, Impression ensures that those affected get the support they need. This includes at least 1 week’s full paid leave to those who experiences themselves (or alongside their partner or surrogate) pregnancy loss through miscarriage or termination of pregnancy. There is no limit under this policy.

Menopause leave

Impression recognises that many will experience menopause and that for some, the experience will impact their well-being and working lives. The agency supports those by raising awareness of menopause and its impact. By encouraging open conversations, those affected by menopause feel confident to talk to managers about their symptoms and the support or adjustments they may need at work.

Telling someone that you’re experiencing menopause symptoms can be a difficult step to take. As a result, Impression reassures that when those affected are ready to talk, all conversations will be treated sensitively and confidentially.

Enhanced parental leave

Pregnant parents can take up to 52 weeks of leave with full salary for the first 8 weeks and half salary for the next 8 weeks (inclusive of any statutory sick pay). This also includes paid time off to attend antenatal appointments. The policy applies to those no matter how long they’ve worked at the agency.

Recognising that people may not identify with the term ‘maternity’ or ‘paternity’. To ensure inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ parents, Impression uses the term ‘pregnant parent’ and ‘non-pregnant parent’ throughout policies.

Women’s Health

An internal team of passionate volunteers make up Impression’s Impact Team. They work together under three pillars:

  • CSR and sustainability
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Health and wellbeing

Organised by the health and wellbeing team around the time of International Women’s Day, the digital agency held a women’s brunch for those who identify as women. The event was a safe, supportive and welcoming space, set up to discuss the more challenging topics surrounding women’s health and the impact this may have in the workplace.

Following this event, Impression welcomed an external guest speaker to run a virtual session to educate and raise awareness of topics surrounding women’s health in the workplace. The entire business attended this session and have planned to run one on men’s health later in the year.

In bathrooms, the agency provides free period products for employees.

Continuous Performance Management (CPM) framework

This has been developed to show what an individual needs to do to progress in their career. All job roles have clearly defined expectations which are linked to transparent salary bandings, visible to everyone who works at Impression.

Ways of Working Charter

The ways of working charter communicates the digital agency’s flexible working policy, which is not prescriptive to a number of mandated days in the office, but rather mandated reasons for being present in the office i.e. for collaboration, client meetings, team meetings etc. This has enabled many parents to work more flexibly and balance family life alongside work life.

Anonymous quote taken from our latest Trust Index survey results:

“I genuinely feel like the team are doing an amazing job at making this a great place to work, and are already working on enhancing our benefits to make things even better.”

Zoë Ogden, Impression’s People Director, said:

“I am so proud that we have been recognised as a Great Place to Work for Women. As someone identifying as female myself, and not always being treated with equity based on my gender earlier in my career, I am delighted that the culture we are creating at Impression is one where everyone can prosper and feel included, regardless of gender or any other factor”

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK, adds:

“Now in its fifth year, our 2022 list showcases the largest collection of Best WorkplacesTM for Women that the UK has ever recognised. These results are based on what women themselves have anonymously reported to us about their workplace experience and how well represented they are in the workforce and management. Ensuring people aren’t discriminated against, placing positive value on our differences, creating fair access and advancement for all, and fostering a sense of value and empowerment in employees is what being a Great Place to Work® is all about. Only by first identifying the gaps in workers’ experiences can organisations truly take action to close them, which is why analysing employee experience is important. We are proud that the data and insights we provide organisations helps on that continuous journey – and it’s wonderful to celebrate so many Best Workplaces™ for Women this year, across all sectors and organisational sizes.”

To find out the other ways in which Impression has supported their people, the planet and the wider community, read more here.