5 Ways to Check Whether You’re Working for a Top Employer
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Understanding the signs of a good employer can help you decide whether your current workplace — or a role you’re considering — is genuinely worth your commitment.
With increasing competition for talent, top employers are going above and beyond to attract and retain the best people.
After being shortlisted for Employer of the Year, we explored what really defines an employer of choice — and how you can assess your own workplace against the same criteria.
What Are the Signs of a Good Employer?
1. They Employ Great Leaders
Strong leadership is one of the clearest signs of a good employer, and one of the biggest differentiators between average and exceptional workplaces.
“We ask new starters about their best and worst bosses to build emotional intelligence early.” — Sam Bradshaw, Head of People
Great leaders empower employees, foster trust, and create environments where people can perform at their best. If leadership feels absent or purely transactional, that’s often the first sign something’s missing.
2. They Prioritise Your Career Development
Another of the strongest signs of a good employer is genuine investment in your growth from day one. Rather than vague promises, they provide clear career pathways and ongoing development opportunities.
- Regular one-to-one meetings
- Clear progression plans
- Continuous professional development (CPD)
If you’re unsure how to progress your own career, a good employer should be actively helping you answer that question, not leaving you to work it out alone.
3. They Actively Seek Employee Feedback
Open communication is one of the more overlooked signs of a good employer. Top employers listen to employees and act on feedback, rather than treating surveys as a box-ticking exercise.
This creates stronger engagement, trust, and a genuine sense of shared success across the business.
4. They Foster a Strong Company Culture
A positive, well-supported culture is one of the most visible signs of a good employer day-to-day.
- Flexible working options
- Wellbeing initiatives
- Inclusive and supportive environment
Culture shows up in small things as much as big policies — how people talk to each other, how mistakes are handled, and whether flexibility is genuinely supported rather than just written into a handbook.
5. They Offer Competitive Salary and Benefits
The final and most tangible of the signs of a good employer is fair, transparent pay paired with meaningful benefits that actually reflect what employees need — not just what looks good in a job advert.
This includes wellbeing support, flexibility, and benefits tailored to real employee needs rather than a generic, one-size-fits-all package.
Does Your Employer Show These Signs of a Good Employer?
If your company meets most or all of these criteria, you’re likely already working for a genuinely good employer. If several are missing, it could be a sign it’s time to explore new opportunities that better align with your goals — and it may be worth reading up on why a counter offer isn’t always the answer if you’re already weighing up a move.
Explore Your Next Career Move
About the Author
Sam Bradshaw is Head of People at Astute, leading HR, recruitment, L&D, wellbeing, and CSR initiatives.