Voting Extended For Special Categories In The Best Places To Work Awards

Following the conclusion of the Gamescom trade show, the editorial and judging teams at GamesIndustry.biz have shifted their focus to evaluating the submissions for the upcoming Best Places To Work Awards. While the entry window has officially closed for the primary, headline categories—which rely on confidential surveys and feedback gathered directly from employees—the organizers have decided to grant additional time for submissions in several specialized categories.

This extension applies specifically to the event's Special Awards, a distinct set of honors designed to highlight outstanding achievements in targeted operational areas. Companies and individuals now have until midnight on Monday, September 7, to submit their nominations for these specific accolades. This adjustment provides a final opportunity for organizations to showcase their dedicated initiatives and programs from the past year.

Unlike the core awards that depend strictly on internal staff sentiment, the Special Awards are evaluated through a separate judging process. They are open to any business operating within the United Kingdom that is either directly involved in the video game sector or works closely alongside it. This broad eligibility criteria allows a wide range of developers, publishers, service providers, and partner agencies to participate.

The specialized categories open for extended nominations cover a diverse spectrum of corporate responsibility and workplace culture. Among them is the Diversity Award, which honors efforts to foster inclusive environments, and the Green Award, aimed at recognizing environmental sustainability initiatives. Additionally, individual and team contributions are celebrated through the HR Hero Award, while organizational growth is highlighted by the Training and Development Award and the Education Award.

Other categories in this group include the Corporate Social Responsibility Award, which acknowledges broader community and ethical initiatives, and the Health and Well-Being Award, which focuses on employee wellness programs. Nominations for any of these seven categories do not have to come from within the nominated organization itself; the submission process allows for both internal staff and external observers to put forward deserving companies.

Once the extended deadline passes on September 7, the judging panel will immediately begin reviewing the submissions, with plans to finalize all decisions during the following week. The winners will be officially announced at the formal Best Places To Work Awards ceremony, which is scheduled to take place on October 1. This celebration of industry excellence serves as a major gathering for human resources professionals and studio leaders.

Leading up to the evening awards ceremony, GamesIndustry.biz will also host its annual HR Summit earlier in the day on October 1. This year's summit is structured around the theme of the future of employment and workforce management, specifically focusing on "People & Work." Tickets for the daytime summit remain available for industry professionals looking to discuss evolving workplace trends and best practices before attending the evening's celebrations.