Best Companies Factors: Giving Something Back

Construction & Engineering

CD (UK) Ltd

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The Health and Wellbeing team are all Mental Health First Aiders and they take action and lead the group. The organisation also has a Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Plan, which includes a calendar of activities to help team CDUK.

CDUK provides a profit-related pay scheme based on turnover and individual KPIs. It also has a Hero of the Quarter Award for someone who has best demonstrated the organisation’s values. It further gives Birthday and Long Service Awards, and has a thank-you portal to recognise help, support and hard work.

The organisation provides its staff with plenty of opportunities to support local charities and has a very active community group. It raise funds by doing various activities, including the Dragon Boat Race. It is also planning a litter pick for the local community later this year.

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Manufacturing

Origin

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Origin is known particularly well for promoting and growing members of staff throughout the business - both vertically and horizontally. Due to its nature of being 'one team' it allows employees to understand and recognise interests and passions throughout the business. It has sponsored many employees through professional qualifications, including AAT, CIPD, CIPS, and ILM.

The organisation facilitates welfare meetings for any employees that need support. The services available include stress risk assessments, occupational health referrals, CBT counselling, and bereavement counselling to ensure that it looks after its employees when they need the extra care.

Origin focuses on monitoring its energy usage and then combat this with tree planting and other green initiatives. It has electric car charging points at every site, and the organisation is accredited by ISO 14001 for environmental management – while also working on obtaining its sustainable resourcing accreditation (BES 6001).

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Consultancy

The Oakland Group

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Oakland has a dedicated menopause support policy available. For managers, recognising the symptoms of the menopause is vital to treating an affected employee fairly. This policy includes installing a water cooler, providing desk fans, making rooms for rest available, allowing for more frequent breaks, quiet working spaces, and extended deadlines.

It has recently introduced personal learning budgets for its teams. This provides each employee with a £400 individual learning budget that they can choose to spend on the learning intervention that best meets their development plan. Additionally it offers internal workshops when there is a requirement for tailored training.

As part of its Oakland Gives Back scheme, it matches the amount raised for any employee taking part in charity fundraising. If at the end of the financial year the amount allocated to good causes has not been spent it asks employees to nominate small local charities close to their heart.

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Retail

The Entertainer

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The Entertainer's charitable giving is displayed each year when 10% of its annual net profit goes to charity. Employees are encouraged to contribute via Payroll Giving, demonstrating its commitment to society. Its involvement in the Pennies scheme further underscores this commitment.

The Entertainer's focus on wellbeing is evident through initiatives to ensure a balance between work and home life, whilst aiming to reduce stress in the workplace and boost employee engagement. Its Health MOT sessions and wellbeing week activities are enjoyed within the business each year.

Team members interact with one another throughout the year via activities produced within the company. Exercises including Pilates, Reflexology and Yoga provide opportunities for team members to connect, reinforcing a sense of belonging.

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Leisure & Hospitality

Heathcote & Co

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The organisation has introduced a Social Committee inclusive of each department of the company. This committee is responsible for organising several events throughout the year, including two small gatherings and two large gatherings every year.

Heathcote & Co have introduced a ‘Moments of Magic’ reward and recognition scheme. Everyone can write names and on what occasion they have used moments of magic. Each quarter the organisation goes through the best ‘Moments of Magic’, and the chosen one receives a £100 voucher to the restaurant of the individuals’ choice.

Heathcote & Co supports its local community and charities by funding charitable events for its employees by paying their entry fees. Additionally, all full-time employees receive one fully paid day a year to support a local charity through fundraising events or by volunteering their time.

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Leisure & Hospitality

Hawksmoor

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Hawksmoor’s commitment to sustainability and environmental initiatives showcases their dedication to giving back to society. Their efforts, such as becoming a carbon-neutral restaurant group and reducing waste, demonstrate that their motives extend beyond profit.

Work-life balance is promoted at Hawksmoor, with management ensuring that employees do not have to hide parts of their personal lives. This approach promotes a healthy balance between work and home life, reducing stress and positively impacting personal health and performance.

At Hawksmoor, managers play a crucial role in maintaining a positive work culture. Through specific training programmes, managers learn how to effectively communicate, offer support and care for their team members, ensuring each member feels valued and trusted.

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Law

Convey Law

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By having more employees working in the office, it has enabled the Company to bring employees together in groups such as the Book Club, ‘Books, Bevs and Banter’, and introduce the ‘Ministry of Fun’ to plan and organise social activities and themed parties such as ‘ConveyFest’, ‘Back to School’ and the annual Christmas party.

A new management development programme has been developed and delivered this year. Topics covered included: Understanding our Why, Managing People and Relationships, Building High Performance Teams, Managing Performance, Stress Awareness. Each topic gave practical take aways and has helped new managers feel confident and understand the importance of their role as a people manager.

Benevolence is one of Convey Law’s core values and support to charitable activities is a key element of its culture and process. Every client has the option of donating £10 at the end of their property transaction into their charity lotto through their non-profit organisation the Conveyancing Foundation which to date has raised £1,104,561.

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Ascentis

Ascentis invests in employees' development through its comprehensive development programme, nurturing talent and helping employees realise their ambitions, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and career progression.

Ascentis offers competitive benefits, including up to 43 days of annual leave and a salary sacrifice pension scheme, ensuring employees feel valued and fairly compensated compared to similar organisations.

Ascentis integrates sustainability within its qualifications, supporting the development of green skills and encouraging societal contribution, reflecting its commitment to positive community impact.

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Leisure & Hospitality

Marugame Udon (Europe)

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The company offers a comprehensive benefits package, including free meals on shifts, generous discounts for family and friends, and access to Wagestream, indicating a fair and competitive approach to employee compensation and benefits.

The company's leaders are dedicated to supporting their chimu, embodying traditional Japanese values and inspiring their teams to create Kando moments, reflecting the deep satisfaction and intense excitement of encountering something of exceptional value.

Marugame Udon's commitment to environmental sustainability, reducing waste and responsible food sourcing, shows its effort to give back to society, going beyond profit motives to make a positive impact.

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Food & Drink

Sleaford Quality Foods

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Accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, Sleaford Quality Foods ensures fair wages and provides substantial benefits, such as a non-contributory Health Cash Plan, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to treating employees equitably.

Employee wellbeing is prioritised through initiatives like the reduction of working hours, wellbeing rooms, and a confidential helpline, which collectively enhance work-life balance and personal health.

Sleaford Quality Foods engages in community and environmental initiatives, such as supporting local charities and striving for The Net Zero Standard, reflecting the organisation’s dedication to societal contributions beyond profit.

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Purpose Boosts Engagement

CD (UK) Ltd

Origin

The Oakland Group

The Entertainer

Heathcote & Co

Hawksmoor

Convey Law

Ascentis

Marugame Udon (Europe)

Sleaford Quality Foods

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