My Company

Blue Arrow

An online social platform is the heart of company communication. As well as updates, it allows colleagues to get business-wide recognition and connect with colleagues across the UK. And an Employee Voice Champion Group feeds back to the MD and HR director about what the business is doing well and where it could improve.

New starters get a ‘riding the rollercoaster’ advice guide to help them prepare for their first three months, offering insight on common emotions – high and low – that a new job can bring. It encourages them to embrace positive thinking, be organised, set goals and invest in their own career development.

Employees enjoyed a gifted day off during October to mark mental health awareness month, openly sharing what they did to boost their wellbeing. This included long walks, duvet days and family time. In addition, all staff get a mindfulness app subscription and access to a full manager complement of Mental Health First Aiders.

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Recruitment

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Here East

During the summer, team days take place in the local park. Games are played, staff have picnics and take part in interactive workshops. There is an all-team meeting every month, during which there is a fun team-building game. A social committee arranges regular events, in addition to the Christmas and summer parties.

All staff are paid 14% above the London Living Wage. On top of this, the business gave everyone an allowance of 4.8% in April to help support them when the cost of living increased. A Team Stars recognition scheme gives monthly rewards to staff and there is an annual awards ceremony rewards Here East Heroes.

Here East has a flat structure that encourages staff to seek support from those in different departments should they need it. One-to-one mentoring is available for those who need a safe space to discuss anything personal or work related.

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Business Services

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Umega

Building on skills learnt over the past two years, Umega is using recorded communications to bring company policies, insights and analysis to life. Everyone is given access to them. The move has built trust and understanding because the spirit and tone of a message is communicated better than it would be in writing.

Staff are encouraged to gain the Association of Residential Lettings Agents Propertymark qualification. The company pays for exams, provides time off for study and pays for Propertymark membership once they are qualified. It also supports continuing professional development.

In partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health, Umega has implemented five "ways to wellbeing" in Its working practices: "learn", "connect", "give", "be active" and "take notice". Workshops, clubs, external spaces for people to socialise and company meetings that are about getting to know one another provide the means to put them into practice.

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Property

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Totemic

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.

Staff almost filled the reception area with clothing, medical supplies, baby products and food, when they collected for relief in Ukraine. Totemic has also been working with the NHS to supply £10,000 worth of diabetic medication to the war-torn country. Every December, it makes up and delivers Christmas dinner hampers to 100 local families.

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.

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Financial Services

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TOPdesk

There is access to an employee assistance programme and mental health first aid training for all managers and others. The company focuses on men's mental health during Movember, and staff have access to platforms that give gym and spa discounts. Free face-to-face counselling is offered through TOPdesk's health care plan.

The company believes in the accessibility of its leadership. It has a flat hierarchy with an open-door policy and an ethos of leaders who serve. Leaders adhere to the agile-working methodology and minutes of management meetings are published.

Staff are encouraged to take screen breaks, especially when working from home. Training is provided on proper rest breaks. Employees are advised not to have work apps on their personal phones to avoid overworking and are discouraged from working overtime and at weekends.

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Technology

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Buyagift

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.

For 12 years, the group has supported Cool Earth, which works to protect the world's rainforests. Since 2010, it has been partnering with the Willow Foundation to make special days possible for seriously ill young adults. Money has also been raised for local charities, such as Herts Young Homeless and Borehamwood Food Bank.

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.

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Retail

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Skipton Building Society

Strong emphasis is placed on listening to colleagues and responding to feedback, through pulse surveys on topics such as the society's reward offering and performance framework, full engagement surveys or focus groups that delve deeper into specific topics.

Skipton enables colleagues to drive their own development and growth through "playlists" that give them access to self-directed learning when the time is right for them. During Building a Better You week, sessions to promote the learning available took place and, since then, attendance has increased.

The Menopause Network promotes normalisation of, education about and support for women experiencing the peri-menopause and menopause. The group strives to help others understand what going through these life stages means, not just to aid women’s understanding of this transition, but also to help partners, friends, colleagues and family to understand better.

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Financial Services

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Neuven Solutions

This year, Neuven is raising cash for the Inclusive Hub, a Liverpool charity that provides boxing and fitness sessions for young people with special needs. Staff are running half-marathons and sponsored walks to support the organisation. They will also take part in the Liverpool Santa Dash.

Neuven has launched a "we are listening" platform so staff can ask questions and put forward suggestions that are responded to in real time. Managers keep in touch with staff through regular one-to-one sessions, and the company's directors and chief executive, John Simmonds, check-in with staff regularly. Feedback is encouraged during the Friday update

Salary is based on role, rather than gender. Benefits include 21 days' holiday and bonus schemes that are based on performance. The company rewards staff with a £500 bonus for making suggestions that are implemented. Throughout the year, "colleagues of the month" receive a £25 Amazon voucher.

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Recruitment

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MPCT

Senior managers live and breathe MPCT's values and the Pride award is given by senior managers to staff in recognition of their commitment to the values. There is public recognition and reward weekly. Badges are also given out by senior managers to staff who demonstrate the values consistently.

MPCT's talent-management policy promotes growth and development through the Rising Star programme. An employee can apply to join and receive training and development to take them to the next level. The programme has created 22 internal promotions in the past year.

The college's approach to wellbeing starts with a monthly payment that can be put towards any wellbeing activity. The college also offers exercise classes, provides fresh fruit and encourages lunchtime walking clubs. Drop-in clinics and mental health workshops are also available.

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Education & Training

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Momentum

Allowing colleagues to choose their own working hours, where they work, and how they work best has seen a reduction in fatigue across the business, as the team is able to focus on delivering their best work rather than working in an environment that doesn't serve them.

On Social Thursdays, the last Thursday of every month, most staff come in to the office, spend the day working together and collaborating, then everyone finishes slightly early to do something social. It may be a sushi-making class, a baby shower for a team member or a Wimbledon-themed table-tennis tournament.

Staff say one of their favourite benefits is access to the mental health support service Spill. It provides them with free, confidential access to a therapist, whenever they need it, whether it's to have sessions or ask a question about something on their mind.

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Consultancy

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Pride Powers Performance

Blue Arrow

Here East

Umega

Totemic

TOPdesk

Buyagift

Skipton Building Society

Neuven Solutions

MPCT

Momentum

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