Leadership - How employees feel about the head of the organisation, senior management and the organisation's values and principles
Leadership has the biggest influence on how employees feel about the organisation.
Leaders need to create inspiring visions and provide clear direction to positively Impact the My Company factor.
When it comes to Wellbeing, no amount of free fruit or stress busting classes are going to address an imbalance. Employee Wellbeing is a by-product of the leadership and management culture.
If there’s pressure at the top of your organisation, it won’t take long to be felt throughout.
They pay average market rates for jobs but also have an excellent benefits package which is constantly being reviewed and benchmarked to maintain competitiveness and to attract and retain employees. As part of the benefits package they have a final salary pension scheme which remains open to new employees. They have recently introduced a dedicated staff benefits discount website, which enables their staff to obtain discounts on local services such as dining out or car leasing; discounts on leading brand names as well as holiday discounts, cheaper energy tariffs, home and car insurance deals and vouchers for discounts on family days out to theme parks and zoos. Managers regularly praise employees for doing a good job - verbally and through treats such as buying chocolates/cakes/biscuits/bottles of wine for the team.
The Director of Housing recently took his managers off site for a strategy awayday. The content of the day allowed managers time to self reflect and consider: What are the three best things about working in the Housing Services Department at Muir i.e. stuff you would never want to change? What consistently irritates you about working in the Housing Services Department or for Muir, this needs to be things they can change or influence? How do you think other Departments would describe the Housing Services Department and do they need to try to change this, if so how? The Director of Housing Services suddenly becomes the Chief Executive (this is hypothetical) and you have the opportunity to request one major change at Muir to make it a better and more effective organisation, what would it be? What practical ways can they improve how effectively they work as a team? What practical things can they do to improve motivation and engagement with their staff and teams, particularly across teams? How do they raise their profile with their teams and improve the staff views of ‘management'.
Muir Group have a Supporting Volunteer work in the community policy which gives staff up to 5 days paid leave - one employee regularly supports a Gold Duke of Edinburgh's award expedition. They provide 3 days paid leave for employees who undertake public duties, i.e. magistrate, school governor. They support employees who are members of the Territorial Army by giving one week's paid leave for annual training camp - they currently have one employee who is in the TA and has benefited from this. Staff regularly collect for charities by having dress down days during the working day such as for Children in Need, Genes for Jeans Day.
The Chief Executive is open and honest, consults with her staff and engages in regular dialogue with them. She moves easily from dealing with strategic to operational matters or personal matters - to meet the needs of the situation. She is happy "getting her hands dirty" and will not ask anyone to do anything she would not do herself - this is evidenced by the level of her involvement with staff and residents on her "Back to the Floor" days.
The Chief Executive is open and honest, consults with her staff and engages in regular dialogue with them. She moves easily from dealing with strategic to operational matters or personal matters - to meet the needs of the situation. She is happy "getting her hands dirty" and will not ask anyone to do anything she would not do herself - this is evidenced by the level of her involvement with staff and residents on her "Back to the Floor" days.
Although Mayday Trust does not operate a "flexi" working hours scheme the Trust is flexible with staff to ensure everyone benefits from a positive work/life balance. Managers may request to work from home and working hours can be altered to meet business/personal circumstances. The company also offer employees support around quitting smoking, eating healthily and losing weight, to name but a few. All advice is available through Westfield Health which is open to all employees.
Eildon hold the Healthy Working Lives Bronze Award and they are currently working towards Silver. Eildon appreciates the health and wellbeing of staff is important. There is free fruit in the staff room and various health initiatives are promoted through the monthly newsletter and displays on notice boards. Staff can choose to join an in-house staff walking group or book club.
Eildon acknowledge and praise for work well done in 121s or team meetings. The working conditions are good, remuneration is benchmarked above average, there is flexible working, there is a Final Salary Pension Scheme, a Westfield Health Cash Plan and subsidised Christmas Party for all staff.
Eildon acknowledge and praise for work well done in 121s or team meetings. The working conditions are good, remuneration is benchmarked above average, there is flexible working, there is a Final Salary Pension Scheme, a Westfield Health Cash Plan and subsidised Christmas Party for all staff.
The council takes a proactive approach to services such as counselling and physio before staff are off sick therefore balance costs with less occupational health referrals and reducing sickness absence costs. Health and wellbeing is a permanent agenda point on Staff Matters therefore always remains a key priority to the organisation and Chief Executive who chairs the group.
After a recent restructure all Heads of Service and Directors attended an away day/ team building day. The primary aims of this away day was for managers to build as a team, open up communications channels and establish a basis of trust. The event started with a team building activity that involved four seperate teams to achieve a common goal of building a physical bridge. This was followed by a presentation by the Chief Executive on Chorley's challenges and an exercise to identify expected behaviours in line with these challenges and Chorley's values of ‘Forward Thinking', ‘Respect', ‘Professional', ‘Pride' and ‘One Team, One Council'. The event finished with a 360 exercise where every manager and their service area were scored on each of the values.
After a recent restructure all Heads of Service and Directors attended an away day/ team building day. The primary aims of this away day was for managers to build as a team, open up communications channels and establish a basis of trust. The event started with a team building activity that involved four seperate teams to achieve a common goal of building a physical bridge. This was followed by a presentation by the Chief Executive on Chorley's challenges and an exercise to identify expected behaviours in line with these challenges and Chorley's values of ‘Forward Thinking', ‘Respect', ‘Professional', ‘Pride' and ‘One Team, One Council'. The event finished with a 360 exercise where every manager and their service area were scored on each of the values.
British Red Cross recognises performance annually through National Awards and every 10 years employees earn 4 weeks extra additional annual leave. The Distinguished, Outstanding, Devoted and Queen's Badges of Honour are awarded by the board, through the National Awards Panel, to volunteers and staff to recognise achievements that warrant special appreciation. The Dunant is a form of recognition for teams within the British Red Cross to recognise the one off achievements of teams who have gone over and above the call of duty.
British Red Cross matches funds raised by their employees for charity with no set upper limit. They protect their local community by; Providing community based first aid projects educating people in life-saving skills, enabling them to respond to emergencies in their communities and providing first aid cover at public events and Working with the schools and community education department to develop children and young people's confidence, ability and willingness to help those in need, to be more resilient and support the principle of everyone getting the help they need in crisis. They have networks across the UK, and work with area youth managers and territory youth managers in their local delivery.
British Red Cross recognises performance annually through National Awards and every 10 years employees earn 4 weeks extra additional annual leave. The Distinguished, Outstanding, Devoted and Queen's Badges of Honour are awarded by the board, through the National Awards Panel, to volunteers and staff to recognise achievements that warrant special appreciation. The Dunant is a form of recognition for teams within the British Red Cross to recognise the one off achievements of teams who have gone over and above the call of duty.
Announcements in staff newsletters are made when staff successfully achieve something, i.e. obtaining a professional qualification. Letters from the CEO are sent to staff recognising their service, level of contribution to the service. There are ISIS Awards 'Inspiring Staff in Service' awarded to individuals and teams recognising their contribution to the organisation.
Announcements in staff newsletters are made when staff successfully achieve something, i.e. obtaining a professional qualification. Letters from the CEO are sent to staff recognising their service, level of contribution to the service. There are ISIS Awards 'Inspiring Staff in Service' awarded to individuals and teams recognising their contribution to the organisation.
The leader of the organisation is passionate about what the organisation does, the service being delivered and the staff who deliver it. He operates an open door policy and is happy to spend time with members of staff, valuing their input into making the organisation run. He will walk around offices talking to staff, ensuring he stays in touch with the 'front line'. He ensures issues are dealt with effectively and promptly and throughout the year ensures he visits schemes to see as many staff as possible during the year.
Their employee assistance programme provides practical information on issues such as quitting smoking, healthy eating and mental health issues. The programme allows employees to speak to a professional counsellor on matters affecting their emotional well-being including relationships, bereavement, stress and anxiety. Managers are trained on how to manage stress in the workplace through their internal development sessions. Subsidised or free gym membership is available for employees depending on their location.
The CEO is incredibly approachable and welcomes comments and feedback from all levels of staff. He interacts with employees and takes part in team events. All of the directors have an open door policy and employees of all levels are welcome to approach them. They all walk the office floor and interact with employees on a daily basis. The CEO holds regular 'Have Your Say' sessions where employees have the opportunity to get their questions answered. At their company conference in April 09, the employees were able to ask the board of directors any questions and they provided immediate answers.
Wynnwith hold a number of internal development sessions for managers covering employment law, attracting talent, managing performance, managing difficult people situations and absence management. These have a practical theme with real life scenarios so the manager can apply what they have learnt to the workplace. They hold development sessions which provide an opportunity for managers to network with other managers in different areas of the business. Guides are available on the intranet for managers on how to complete management activities such as recruitment.
Windmill adopt an open and flexible approach to wellbeing and consider all needs on an individual basis. Employees benefit from an employee assistance programme and subsidies towards the use of sports facilities and gym memberships. They are constantly implementing new ideas and are in the process of adopting a cycle to work scheme and organising activities such as picnics, where employees can bring their families. The company monitors the number of hour's employee's work to ensure there is a healthy balance between their home and work life and they allow staff to take time off in lieu for any extra hours worked.
Managers and directors operate an open door policy and employees from all levels can approach them at any time. They are easily accessible and very hands on. They ensure they get to know employees on a personal level and will often walk around the office, stopping to take time to chat with staff on an informal basis. Employees are kept up to date through a newsletter where managers and directors provide updates on the company
Windmill adopt an open and flexible approach to wellbeing and consider all needs on an individual basis. Employees benefit from an employee assistance programme and subsidies towards the use of sports facilities and gym memberships. They are constantly implementing new ideas and are in the process of adopting a cycle to work scheme and organising activities such as picnics, where employees can bring their families. The company monitors the number of hour's employee's work to ensure there is a healthy balance between their home and work life and they allow staff to take time off in lieu for any extra hours worked.
Weightmans strive forward as a combined workforce. There is no segregation between their leaders and employees and everyone adopts an open door policy. Their values state that they have a clear approach to teamwork and respect and the senior and managing partners lead them in this area. Both the senior and managing partner carry out road shows at each office to update on firm performance. This also serves as an excellent opportunity for question and answer sessions, in addition to the monthly staff forums at which the senior partner is always present.
Weightmans strive forward as a combined workforce. There is no segregation between their leaders and employees and everyone adopts an open door policy. Their values state that they have a clear approach to teamwork and respect and the senior and managing partners lead them in this area. Both the senior and managing partner carry out road shows at each office to update on firm performance. This also serves as an excellent opportunity for question and answer sessions, in addition to the monthly staff forums at which the senior partner is always present.
As a company they are aware of the increasing pressures placed on staff both in terms of work and private life. They have commissioned Employee Care as a 24 hour service to both employees and their families where they can seek counselling, legal advice and information on health and well-being. They offer flexi-time, flexible working and remote working facilities and are supportive of times when dependents require care and assistance and have a dependent/parental leave policy. The benefits and events Weightmans provide always take into consideration the families of their employees.
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