What are companies doing with regards to 'Giving Something Back'

Staff who achieve set targets and champion Charlton Morris's values are being jetted off to Marrakech on an all-expenses-paid trip this year. The company says the incentive of an annual trip encourages a collaborative and high-performing environment in which everyone has the chance to be recognised because the reward is based on more than revenue.

New managers are promoted twice yearly, when they undertake an online management essentials training course. It develops their people-management skills. The company is also integrating LinkedIn Learning into manager development. Directors lead commercially focused training with new managers to enable them to create high-performing teams.

The company says it invests heavily in team morale and offers incentives to staff. Every team has monthly targets to aim for and when they hit them they are given a team night out, such as a meal at a Michelin-starred restaurant, a trip to the Crystal Maze, or sporting events.

All directors sit on the sales floor and are as approachable as anyone else in the organisation. The directors lead the Friday stand-up session, which brings together all staff to celebrate achievements at the end of the week.

Colleagues are encouraged to use the firm’s social media platform, Workplace, to share posts and engage with life outside of work. Social events, such as coffees, lunches, and evening drinks give employees a chance to get together, and brief ‘stand-up’ style calls have been implemented to encourage connectedness.

Monthly videos from the Executive and Senior Leadership Team keep employees in the loop with company updates, along with a quarterly newsletter containing information on company goals, best practice, and maintaining engagement. Colleagues have the chance to ask questions during on-site visits and there’s regular townhall meetings with the company’s CEO.

Approaching learning and development comes in the form of the ‘70:20:10’ model. This sees employees get 70% of their learning from daily tasks or challenges, 20% from social interaction, and 10% from formal training. There’s also extensive apprenticeship, mentoring, and shadowing programmes on offer and staff are often supported into more senior positions through secondments.

Wellbeing walks are just one of the initiatives on offer to give employees a boost. There’s also an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support physical and mental wellbeing, as well as access to financial advice resources. All staff benefit from discounted gym membership, and there’s healthy eating promotions on offer at the firm’s subsidised canteen.

Strong internal communication is important at Beyond Marketing and 30 minutes each week is spent updating everyone on projects, client pitches, people initiatives and news, as well as keeping them in the loop with activities for the week ahead. The Culture Club organises pub nights, birthday celebrations and annual outings.

The group has enhanced maternity-leave policies. Up to five "landing days" at full pay towards the end of maternity leave are designed to help reintegrate an employee back into work and, for the first six weeks after return, its "breakfast and bedtimes" policy allows staff to arrive late and leave early.

To promote health and wellbeing, the college offers an employee assistance programme and occupational health support. Managers have had training in resilience, there are mental health first aiders and one-to-one counselling is provided. Hybrid working helps with work-life balance.

There are twice-yearly celebration events and staff sports days. Social activities include a book club and a cycle club. Staff briefings involve all employees. There is also a biannual staff survey, as well as regular focus groups and staff newsletters. Staff can use the college's employee engagement app, Stribe, to leave feedback.

The office environment encourages physical wellbeing. There is discounted gym membership, plus secure bike sheds and showers on-site to encourage staff to get involved in sporting activities before during and after work hours. The Totemic running, football and walking clubs support this.

Tribe, one of the company's new magazines, celebrates good news stories such as weddings, Totemic babies and individual personal achievements. It highlights the activity in the company's charitable world and provides an informal focus on key people, revealing who they are and what makes them tick.

The society uses blended learning. Its model includes online learning, bite-sized training, work-based learning, learning games, project-led activities, acting-up opportunities, secondments, involvement in staff-led initiatives, learn-and-share forums and support to obtain further qualifications.

The society has continued to work predominantly remotely, but leaders have increasingly sought opportunities to connect with people in person, while sustaining virtual opportunities. The leadership continued to work towards its ambition to engage staff with its vision through leader-led "home-team’"discussions which provide a space for staff to give feedback on a range of topics.

Talent Works has rolled out a new benefits platform which provides remote fitness and wellness activities, ranging from yoga to those for alleviating back and neck pain. The business also provides a healthcare scheme which enables employees to access therapies such as physiotherapy, osteopathy and acupuncture, funded by the business.

Staff are encouraged to have a development plan with SMART objectives. Some teams also have career pathway documents which allow employees and managers to score and track progression for those wanting to take a step up in their career.

B Teams champion the voices of staff. B-You, which leads the cause for all things inclusivity, was launched in January. The B-Social team focuses on culture and events and the B-Well team has responsibility for wellbeing initiatives.

Monthly company updates provide the whole team with a progress report on the overall business and how it is doing financially. Project updates are also given, along with shout-outs for team member achievements and new starters are welcomed.