Lidl, Novartis and HungaroControl are also among the best places to work

The competition for the Caring Workplace of the Year 2025 title ended with a ceremonial announcement of results and an award ceremony, which was organized again by the Fund’s Self-Care Foundation with the support of the Premium Health Fund and the Premium Voluntary Pension Fund. This year, the award was again given to workplaces that contribute to strengthening employee well-being, satisfaction and loyalty with their exemplary initiatives.

The organizers expected nominations from companies where a system of health or pension benefits, as well as employer education emphasizing the importance of self-care, are an integral part of everyday operations.

The first place in the SME category was Novartis Hungária Kft., the top place in the large company category was HungaroControl Zrt., while the best in the large company Plus category was Hydro Extrusion Hungary Kft.. The professional jury also awarded two special prizes: LIDL Hungary received the award for outstanding health preservation, while BAT Pécsi Tobacco Factory received the award for its diversified care.

Tímea Pataki, Managing Director of the Premium Health Fund, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Premium Voluntary Pension Fund and Chair of the jury, highlighted:

“More and more companies are recognizing that the basic condition for long-term, stable operation is the well-being and sense of security of their employees. Where employees feel cared for, there is greater satisfaction, commitment and performance. The aim of the award is therefore to make best practices visible and to provide inspiration to those companies that are still at the beginning of the path to a caring corporate culture. in building. Investing in employee well-being is not a cost, but an investment in the future, and care now goes beyond benefits: flexible working, family-friendly solutions, mental health support and community building are all values ​​that form the basis of sustainable corporate operations”.

Why and what did the professional jury evaluate as finalists in 2025?

The common point of this year’s award-winning companies is that they do not just provide benefits, but operate a consciously built, long-term care culture. Each of them showed in a different way how employees can truly be put at the center.

Novartis Hungária Kft. – the first place winner in the SME category represents an operation where employee well-being is fully valued from the first day of work. The sports card, free psychological consultation, coaching programs, 100% sick pay supplement and outstanding pension fund support all indicate that care is the basis here, not a reward. This is accompanied by meeting-free Fridays, a shortened summer work schedule and full flexibility, as well as paid parental leave that also affects fathers. In the Novartis culture, employees are truly valued from the first minute.

HungaroControl Zrt. – the winner of the large company category; operates a completely comprehensive, systemic well-being model. All elements of physical, mental and organizational well-being are treated as a unit: health fund support extended to family members, in-house medical care and opportunities related to an active lifestyle surround everyday life. One of the strongest elements is the conscious career approach: a multi-decade career model from entry to retirement provides employees with security and a path for development. Here, care becomes a real life-course support.

Hydro Extrusion Hungary Kft. – the runner-up in the large company Plus category; shows an example of how it is possible to create a human-centered care system in an industrial environment. They examine the needs of both manual and intellectual workers, and offer programs covering the entire spectrum of well-being for both groups. Comprehensive health insurance, health fund support such as benefits available within the cafeteria, mental health support programs, and outstanding pension support all show that the company operates a real care philosophy that extends to all employees.