Giving Something Back - The extent to which employees feel their organisation has a positive impact on society
Giving Something Back focuses on the organisation’s social responsibilities. If key factors such as ‘Leadership’ and ‘My Manager’ are performing well, it can influence the improvement of all the other factors, boosting your overall engagement.
A newly refurbished office with employee breakout spaces and gardens encourages a social, friendly atmosphere and teamwork across the business. And Whitecode Consultancy takes on a fun family feel with a variety of social activities across the year, such as a summer party and quiz nights.
Questions and feedback are encouraged at the monthly business-wide breakfast meetings. Staff are updated on company progress and have the opportunity to make suggestions. Any issues raised are addressed asap, and progress updates are given at the next meeting. There are also weekly team meetings to discuss workload and any problems.
‘Whitcode Wishes’ is the consultancy’s own charity. It raises funds to make hampers and buy Christmas presents for underprivileged children to spread festive magic and support as many families as possible. And in terms of ‘giving something back’ to the environment, the company aims to be recognised as a leader in environmental design.
The induction of new recruits is both remote and face-to-face. There’s a series of digital ‘team talks’ with team members from across the business and regular HR check-ins to make sure they’re settling in well. And like all employees, they get access to an online training platform personalised to their role and level.
Managers get bespoke support depending on their development needs with access to various external tools and training opportunities via their line managers. There are expert HR manager briefings to support them and established workflows to help them navigate any complex people management issues.
Teleware has recently achieved carbon-neutral status and is now helping its customers do the same. Moving to a remote-first model, reducing travel and waste and office downsizing has vastly reduced its carbon footprint. The company’s also planted around 130 trees as part of an environmental initiative.
July 2023 saw the first NYLON Week, with the US team coming over for the summer party and a week of in-person collaboration. There are many smaller team-building initiatives too, likely weekly lunches with pop-up food stalls. And the Pride Employee Resource Group is the company's largest, with LGBTQIA+ members sharing experiences and organising events.
'The Golden Pen' is the company's weekly recognition award – an opportunity for teammates to celebrate each other's work. During the Monday meeting, the 'pen' is awarded by the previous holder, with the CEO giving the winner a shoutout. All winners from the previous four weeks get a voucher prize in the monthly meeting.
'Papier with Purpose' is the company's CSR programme encouraging employees to give back to the local community through paid-for volunteering days, as well as being charitable and mindful of environmental impact. Initiatives include mentoring young people to help them into the creative industries, donating excess stock and giving a proportion of card sales to charity.
Its new Consultus Way of Working (WoW) encourages proactive communication between teams. It is a collection of tried and tested tools and techniques to help its business encourage continuous improvement. It covers everything from first-time managers struggling to set their team objectives to implementing RACI as part of project delivery.
Consultus has many success stories such as Alison’s. Since starting as a receptionist, she has had several promotions, and she now holds a director position at the company. "Working for Consultus provides huge opportunity for its employees and I am living proof that through hard work, focus, and determination the sky is the limit.”
Consultus supports many charities such as Hope Against Cancer. More recently, it became involved in clean and green schemes in Leicester city centre and became a sponsor of Maidenhead United Football Club and attends match days to raise more money for Hope Against Cancer, raising over £500.
It has action groups such as S.H.E Champions, a charity committee, and a wellness group which actively engage employees in activities and projects aimed at promoting wellbeing, diversity, charitable endeavours, and overall health. It also provides access to Medigold Occupational Health Support, offering employees valuable resources for managing their health.
Employees are encouraged to create a Personal VTO (Vision Traction Organiser), outlining their personal and career aspirations for the next one to five years. This document serves as the basis for a discussion with their manager, and any necessary training opportunities or flexible work arrangements required to support their personal objectives are identified and prioritised.
Voted for by staff, Dura’s local, environmental, and national charity partners are close to employee hearts. For 2023-2024, it has chosen to fundraise to support the work of EACH (East Anglia Children’s Hospices), Essex Wildlife Trust, and MIND. It also holds regular upcycling days and other well-publicised events to raise awareness of these charities.
The agency's monthly 'No Rest for the Liquid' company-wide meeting supports its 'integrated and collaborative working environment." Senior team members give business updates, and working groups lead interactive presentations to offer insight into their work and job roles. And there's a weekly newsletter celebrating birthdays, promotions, and what teams have achieved for clients.
Liquid has run a successful virtual work experience course for students interested in a career in public relations, highlighting the exciting work it does for its clients to attract potential new employees. It's also inviting students back into the office to get an all-around agency experience.
Liquid "strives to create a lasting, positive impact on communities." It helps local causes through donations and pro bono work and is currently supporting 17 local projects. Over the last four years, it's donated more than £400,000 to organisations such as Whitley Fund for Nature, the Cyrille Regis Legacy Trust and Acorns Children's Hospice.
CIMSPA’s wellbeing committee (Welbots) supports employees with signposting, awareness activities, and creating the opportunity for social interaction. Employees have access to a range of benefits including a healthy living allowance, access to the CALM app for themselves and up to 5 family/friends, an employee assistance program, and initiatives to get them out at lunchtime.
The organisation’s three core values (Respect, Quality, and Teamwork) sit at the heart of everything it does. It holds quarterly all staff team meetings, off-site, and at all these events it has team awards, one of which being the LOVE Award (Living Our Values Everyday), to acknowledge those who promote the organisation’s culture and values.
CIMSPA has put together a list of resources that people working in sport and physical activity can use to help people who have fled the war in Ukraine. Chief executive Tara Dillon says: "I believe sport and physical activity can be a lifeline for many who have arrived in the UK."
Personal Development is a huge part of life at G3, with all employees encouraged to learn and develop both new and existing skills through a hands-on training programme. This aims to develop the next generation of G3 employees, whether straight out of high school, recent graduates or current employees looking to progress within their roles.
Colleagues can look forward to quarterly team events, as well as half-year 'all expenses paid' parties and regular Friday feasts. On the last Friday of each month, one team is given the chance to choose an activity of their choice, whilst those seeking sport can join in on Tuesday's 5-a-side football matches followed by beers.
G3 works closely with the Prince of Wales Hospice in Pontefract, participating in a number of fundraising activities whilst also donating a portion of its profits to the charity too. Since 2019, the company has also worked with chosen charity partner, Martin House Children's Hospice, donating £1 for every car sold.
Fareham College is embedded in the local community, supporting the area's economic growth and up-skilling its people. It also works with local charities. This has included inviting a local mental wellbeing charity to support employees' personal development and help the College strengthen its offering and support for students and staff.
Employees have access to a Health Cash Plan, including skin cancer screening, dental check-ups, specialist consultations, discounted gym membership, and money off at cinemas, shops and restaurants. Staff also have free 24/7 access to counselling services. And in early 2023, managers will be trained to support team members through menopause.
Aspiring and existing managers are supported through development training, covering areas such as self-awareness, agility, commercial and financial acumen and operational effectiveness, including becoming great people managers. The College also offers bespoke support for aspiring leaders, including external strategic qualifications, professional courses and conferences.
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