Midcounties' employees get a voice in big and small conversations : Good internal communications help co‐operative to achieve award

Purpose – This paper aims to detail some of the policies that have helped Midcounties Co‐operative to become one of the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For. Design/methodology/approach – It underlines the importance of good internal communications and employee development. Findings – It observes that the society's graduate program provides an opportunity for students with a 2:2 honours degree or better to gain experience across the society. They undertake six, four‐month placements in different areas of the business. The graduates also carry out a project relevant to their placements. Practical implications – The paper describes the experiences of a number of people on the society's graduate program and reveals that training opportunities are among the reasons that employees rate the company as good to work for. Social implications – It reveals that employees are allowed to spend up to three paid days a year volunteering. Originality/value – The paper shows why employees rate highly the experience of working at Midcounties Co‐operative.