HUNTINGDON-based social landlord the Luminus Group has achieved national recognition as one of the UK s Best Companies, one of just four companies in the East of England and 50 companies nationally to gain three stars extraordinary status. Best Companie

HUNTINGDON-based social landlord the Luminus Group has achieved national recognition as one of the UK's Best Companies, one of just four companies in the East of England and 50 companies nationally to gain 'three stars extraordinary' status.

Best Companies accreditation uses an independent survey of employees and a star rating system.

Survey results showed that companies with the highest morale, the lowest absenteeism, where people really felt proud to work, and the lowest stress levels, were where they felt they trusted their manager and the senior management team, Luminus said. Excellence in management was demonstrated to increase motivation and job satisfaction among employees.

Jonathan Austin, chief executive and founder of Best Companies, said: "Organisations like Luminus that have continued engaging their staff and making sure they are involved in the business will be in a good position for the future and should be congratulated for their efforts."

Luminus Group chief executive Chan Abraham added: "This independent survey shows that the vast majority of our employees feel the same way about us. I strongly believe that this high level of trust and confidence is one of the reasons for Luminus's continued success and excellent performance.

"For leaders there is no shortcut to getting your people involved, and you cannot merely delegate this responsibility. Leaders have to engage with their people, but, in reality, too few do, and too many are fearful about doing this.

"If we can inspire other business leaders and their staff, then we will have achieved one of our main goals of demonstrating a more excellent way."

In the rating system, one star is first class, two stars are outstanding and three stars are extraordinary. The survey was developed to help employers better understand complex and changing workplace issues and what they mean for their business, focusing on what employees say about the head of the organisation, senior managers, and the company's values and principles, their manager, training and prospects, work-life balance, how well they work with colleagues, whether the organisation has a positive impact on society, how involved they feel about their job and organisation, and how happy they are with their pay and benefits.

Muir Group Housing, another Huntingdon social landlord, achieved two-star 'outstanding' status in the survey.