While other Australian recruitment companies may grapple with high staff turnover, The Wavelength Group is proving that prioritising employee wellbeing and fostering a supportive culture isn't just the right thing to do – it's good for business. Last week, the firm was recognised as one of The Australian Financial Review's Best Places to Work for 2025 in the Legal, Advisory & Professional Services category, but their success story goes beyond just a pat on the back.
Wavelength Group boasts an impressive average employee tenure of 5.1 years, significantly outstripping the Australian national average of 3.4 years (ABS) and dwarfing the mere 1.2-year average for recruitment consultants in Sydney (according to LinkedIn Talent Insights). This remarkable retention rate isn't accidental; it's a direct result of the firm's unwavering commitment to creating an environment where people genuinely want to stay and thrive.
"We're proud to be recognised as a top workplace," says Melissa Corr, General Manager, People & Culture. "But for us, it's not just about the award. It's about the team we've built and the culture we've nurtured. We believe that when our people are happy and feel supported, they do their best work."
The Best Places to Work competition highlighted several factors that contribute to exceptional workplaces, many of which resonate deeply with Wavelength Group's ethos. Meaningful work, a strong focus on wellbeing and flexibility, and a 'True Self to Work' philosophy, reflected by widespread confidence in being authentic at work, were all identified as key drivers of employee engagement and satisfaction – areas Wavelength Group actively cultivates.
A tangible example of this commitment is Wavelength's innovative ‘Wave Worldwide’ program. This initiative empowers employees to work remotely from anywhere in the world for up to 20 days per year, fostering a sense of flexibility and trust.
Arpit Kalariya, Finance Manager at Wavelength Group, recently utilised the program to spend time with family in India. "It's very easy and helpful for everyone whose family is not around," he explains. "Wavelength provides flexibility in terms of start time, which made it so much easier to balance work with being there for my family. It means a lot to have this flexibility."
Katrina Haddad, Chief Experience Officer, also values the program. "It’s incredibly easy for us to work remotely with Wave – we already have a distributed team, so our technology and connections are virtual anyway," she says. "Recently, I was able to extend a weekend trip to see my mum thanks to Wave Worldwide. That flexibility to spend extra time with family while still doing my job is so valuable."
Wavelength Group's focus on wellbeing extends beyond just location flexibility. The firm actively promotes a culture that values work-life balance and recognises employees as individuals with lives and responsibilities outside of work. This holistic approach aligns with the Best Places to Work findings, which emphasise that successful organisations take a comprehensive approach to employee experience, addressing well-being, flexibility, purpose, growth, and belonging.
"We know that a strong culture isn't just a buzzword; it's the bedrock of our success," adds Chris Riley, CEO. "In a world where AI might level the playing field in terms of technical skills, it's our people and our culture that will truly set us apart. We haven’t achieved 25 years of success by just building a business; we're building a diverse, inclusive and supportive community."
Wavelength Group's recognition as a Best Place to Work underscores the importance of investing in employees and creating a workplace where they feel valued, supported, and empowered. Their impressive tenure figures speak volumes, proving that a focus on people isn't just a feel-good strategy – it's a recipe for long-term success in a competitive market.