UX&I: Best practices in employee participation and one of the top 3 employers in North Rhine-Westphalia

Great Place to Work® is a globally renowned research and consulting institute that helps companies improve their workplace culture. Using a combination of a comprehensive employee survey and a detailed cultural audit, based on the scientifically validated Great Place to Work® model, the organization analyzes HR and cultural strategies. The award for UX&I is based on these anonymous and representative employee surveys covering core topics such as trust, team spirit, and appreciation. The results from the survey and the audit are weighted in a 3:1 ratio, with the employee perspective taking precedence.

Six key trends shaping the modern workplace

Great Place to Work® analyzes and evaluates the work culture of over 1,000 companies annually in Germany alone. This extensive data set makes it possible to gain and share in-depth insights into the changing world of work. As a result, the institute was able to identify six key trends that help companies prepare for the future and adapt their cultures accordingly:

• Health: There is a growing focus on employee well-being, with innovative approaches to health management, such as prevention and resilience, becoming increasingly important.
• Sustainability: Companies are encouraged to support initiatives such as the “Plastic Free Challenge” to protect the environment and motivate employees to act sustainably.
• Digitalization: The digital transformation continues to challenge companies to integrate technologies effectively and equip employees with the necessary digital skills.
• Generations: An inclusive workplace culture should take into account the needs of different age groups, with flexibility and team spirit being key regardless of life stage.
• Diversity: Diversity fosters a culture of innovation. An inclusive work environment that values different perspectives and backgrounds boosts creativity and problem-solving skills.
• New Work: Modern work models that take employees’ individual needs into account promote retention and satisfaction within the company.

These trends reflect the dynamic changes that companies must respond to in order to create a positive and sustainable work culture.

UX&I in the spotlight: Integrating purpose and employee participation presented as best practices

A particular highlight was the interview with Tobias Schlei, co-founder of UX&I, about the successful implementation of a human-centered employee engagement program and the deep integration of the company’s purpose.

“For us, purpose is essential. Without this purpose, UX&I could not exist in its current form,” explained Tobias Schlei. “That is the basis, the foundation. It enables everyone on the team to make autonomous decisions and act in a self-organized manner. We incorporate the Ikigai method right from the onboarding phase to connect each individual’s inner drive with our purpose.”

Employee participation at UX&I is a central element of the company culture and differs significantly from traditional models. In an interview, Tobias Schlei explained how our model works:

Instead of employees purchasing shares with their own personal funds, UX&I has developed a model in which 50% of the company’s profits go directly to the employees. This share of profits is divided into two main categories:

• 20% is allocated as a team budget, for example, for training and team events
• The remaining 30% is allocated as direct employee profit sharing

This approach aims to demonstrate appreciation for each individual’s contribution to the company’s success while fostering long-term loyalty to the company. It is not about raising capital from employees, but rather about enabling them to share fairly and equitably in the company’s success.

Implementing this model was a deliberate decision, backed and supported by our shareholders, to create an inclusive and appreciative work culture in which employees are viewed not merely as workers, but as key stakeholders in the company.

Other best practices that have inspired us

Another highlight of the Great Place to Work® event was the Gallery Walk, during which participants had the opportunity to stroll through the event venue and explore a wide range of best practices displayed along the walls. This creatively designed presentation not only offered insights into innovative approaches to employee leadership and retention but also fostered discussion and networking.

Particularly impressive were initiatives such as the “Comeback Program,” which targets former employees and may bring them back to the company by aligning their current career plans and goals with the company’s prospects.

Equally inspiring was the idea that job applicants can bring their children to the interview and have them looked after during the process. This underscores the company’s commitment to family-friendliness and inclusion.

Another innovative format was the “Weekly Roundup in 100 Seconds,” which uses a short video to inform employees about important company developments, current projects, and personnel changes, similar to the concept used by tagesschau.de. Such approaches demonstrate how companies can foster a transparent and employee-centered communication culture through creative solutions.

These and many other best practices presented, such as mindfulness programs, ergonomics, and the “Company Challenge,” illustrate the wide range of ways in which companies can actively shape and improve workplace culture, which is particularly important in times of a skilled labor shortage.

UX&I named one of the top three employers in North Rhine-Westphalia for 2024

In 2024, UX&I stood out among 254 companies in North Rhine-Westphalia and ranked among the top 3 employers. This is further underscored by our low employee turnover rate of 8% in 2023. Nationwide, this figure stands at 15.2%. Our corporate culture, which is based on trust, a human-centered approach, and employee engagement, not only promotes employee satisfaction and retention but also positions us as a role model in the industry.

Flexible work models and a transparent compensation system reflect our core values and play a key role in our leading position as an employer. A striking testament to our culture is that 94% of employees who participated in the survey want to stay with us long-term, a significant difference from the industry average of 57%. This commitment underscores our employees’ deep connection to UX&I’s values and culture.

Feedback from the team underscores this culture:

• “Here, everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender.”
• “Our managers understand that mistakes are part of the learning process.”
• “I can ‘be myself’ here and don’t have to pretend to be someone else.”

UX&I ranked among Germany’s top four ICT employers in 2024.

In the highly competitive “Best Employers in ICT 2024” contest, UX&I took fourth place among companies with 10–49 employees. While 91% of employees at the recognized companies in the information technology and telecommunications sector rate their jobs as very good, 30% above the national average, UX&I is setting new standards with a 100% rating.

UX&I ranked among the top 8 employers in the small and medium-sized business sector for 2024.

In addition, UX&I was honored with the Great Place to Work® award for “Best Employers in Small and Medium-Sized Businesses 2024.” Among 400 competitors, UX&I stands out particularly in the area of well-being: 97% of employees feel encouraged to maintain a good work-life balance, compared to an industry average of 89%. The compensation structures also stand out: 91% of UX&I employees consider their pay to be fair, a stark contrast to the national average of 37%. The industry standard of 85% is also exceeded. This recognition demonstrates our commitment to employee satisfaction and fair compensation.

“It’s impressive how consistently and sustainably the companies participating in the Great Place to Work Initiative regularly gather feedback from their employees to further develop their organizations, and they do so in such a volatile market environment,” says Andreas Schubert, managing director at Great Place to Work Germany. “The fact that they’ve managed to make it onto the list of top companies out of over 1,000 participating companies demonstrates the exceptional quality of their corporate culture in practice.”

“You’ve always gone the extra mile, and that’s very exciting because you’ve brought your passion project to life and implemented an employee participation program. It’s a very substantial form of profit sharing,” said Frank Hauser, Head of Consulting at Great Place to Work.