What are companies doing with regards to 'My Company'

A central feature of their CSR programme is designed to help their residents get off benefits and into work. To achieve this they introduced a Business Start-up training programme for residents who were keen to start their own business. The Course was designed to give residents the skills, confidence and the support to start their own business. The programme was run in partnership with the Aspire Foundation, a charity that works to unlock the potential of people who've often been written-off by society. It was funded as a Big Society Initiative by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM), as it was seen locally as something that would deliver lasting social impact for people who are currently relying on benefits. In June 2012, Fifteen unemployed residents graduated from the 12 week course with business plans in place to start their own business. At a Dragons Den style presentation, at their graduation ceremony, in partnership with the RBWM, the graduates were awarded grants and possible contracts totalling nearly £8,500 to help them get their businesses going. The money will be used to help buy essential equipment and pay for insurance and training. The range of businesses that will be created by the graduates includes a craft shop, dog walking business, ironing businesses, maths tutoring and photography. Plans are in place to run a second course in 2013. Residents have said that the Business Start-Up training has changed their lives.

In addition to the annual pay review in 2011 they replaced their Corporate Bonus with an individual recognition scheme. This is a scheme whereby individual excellent performance or excellent demonstration of company values is recognised by the line manager. Line Managers have access to a budget to reward staff members who have gone the extra mile, for example those who may have helped out another team, provided outstanding customer service or delivered above and beyond the expectations of their role. To say “thank you” the manager may give them a bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or something more specific.

The most memorable event was Hostelbookers' 8th Anniversary Party held in May this year. Each year they celebrate their anniversary with a big party and this year the company took their staff to a private 10 Pin Bowling suite which they hired for the afternoon. Hostelbookers organised teams for bowling and held mini competitions e.g. giant games, karaoke, travel quiz and a fancy dress photo booth. They then took everyone to a restaurant which they hired out for the evening. There was a champagne reception, 4 course meal, prize and speech ceremony and then dancing until early hours of the morning. The whole day including food and drinks was completely free to their staff.

Twice a month Hostelbookers offer half price chair massages and every other month, half priced reflexology massages. Every January they hold a "Wellbeing" month where they organise health checks, free gym trials, stop smoking sessions, lose weight sessions, pamper slots, discounted gym memberships, weekly well being tips, lunch time runs and exercise, weekly fruit bowls and extra massage sessions.

In 2012 Hogarth launched their internal training programme called ‘Bitesize' training. The ‘Bitesize' training programme involved employees from each department of the business getting together to identify the biggest training requirements in their teams and developing 30 minute training modules to help meet those requirements. The initial task was to develop an induction programme that gave an overview of each department and how they interact with each other through the workflow. To date, they have run 20 different training courses ranging from ‘MS Excel Training to ‘Computer Aided Translation' to ‘Media Formats Demystified'. Due to the phenomenal popularity of the ‘Bitesize' training modules both from employees who are keen to get involved in developing and presenting modules on their particular subject matter to those who are keen to attend, Hogarth have commenced Stage 2 of the project.

Hogarth runs an annual peer recognition scheme which involves employees nominating their peers who they feel have shown outstanding qualities in a number of categories including the Shooting Star Award for Most Inspirational Employee, North Star Award for Best Leadership Skills, Sirius Award for Brightest Star, Phoenix Award for Best Rising Star and Alpha Centauri Award for Unsung Hero. A huge amount of buzz is created across the company during the nomination rounds in the run up to the announcing of the winners at an awards ceremony held before the Christmas party each year. The ceremony is a celebration of employees contribution and the company recognising people who have gone over and above their roles over the previous 12 months as voted for by their peers. Prizes are awarded to the top three winners in each category with the winners receiving a weekend away for two as the first prize. It is an informal recognition scheme but is extremely popular with employees and creates a real buzz in the build up to announcing the winners. The Awards ceremony is followed by the Christmas party with lots of dancing and fun.

By leveraging the best thinking and learning programmes from across their organisation, Hilton seek to share knowledge with their Team Members to improve delivery efficiency, cost effectiveness, personal development and promote best practices. Hilton Worldwide University (HWU) allows them to bring together all of their learning and effectively share it across their enterprise. HWU has been identified by a separate and distinct icon, signifying learning across the company. Hilton deliver curriculum through five colleges, which have all been assigned an executive sponsor and work with a learning council to help develop the curriculum for their section. The five colleges collectively offer more than 2,500 courses that are delivered in a variety of ways including classroom training, e-learning, webinars, e-books, live and taped programmes such as “Leaders Teaching Leaders” and “Lunch and Learns,” articles, recommendations for on-the-job development experiences, social learning and apps.

Hilton Worldwide sees the Wellbeing of all employees as important and encourages Healthy lifestyle. This is promoted through highlighting healthy options for physical activities as well as the healthy options both in nutritional and general health. Hilton's Living Well Gymnasiums and Spas are available to all employees and they have the opportunity to attain advice on personal training and nutritional guidelines and can be safely monitored. The company, also through all their community and charitable work, promote external activities and challenges that enhance individuals physical well being, for example their ‘Around the World in a day' annual charity event challenges employees to cover as much mileage as possible by walking, running, cycling, swimming, rowing etc. With the community and charity involvement this creates an incredibly fun and rewarding day for so many in their achievements whilst also raising money for charities worldwide.

Hermes Field Managers regularly need to interview potential self employed couriers to provide services for them. There are around 150 Field Managers, many of whom took the decision to conduct interviews in the homes of potential couriers. Through feedback from the employee focus groups and team meetings and risk assessments, there was a significant risk to lone working in this situation. The company introduced a policy for Field Managers to interview potential couriers in public places and giving them an allowance to buy a drink etc. Hermes' head office was relocated three years ago and was designed to give employees maximum comfort, from the ergonomically designed chairs and desks, to a subsidised restaurant. The depot network is also constantly being upgraded so that employees across the business have better working conditions. i.e. more space, parking, light, rest areas and meeting rooms.

Hermes offer a selection of bonus schemes and benefits for different grades. One particularly effective way is for their senior managers and middle managers. The company offer a flexible benefits package that allows them to purchase extra holiday/health insurance etc. Hermes also offer a range of bonus schemes that are very effective. The bonus schemes are designed to motivate employees to save costs as well as improve their service. The bonus is awarded upon achievement of targets and extra bonuses are paid for employees who have consistently performed well throughout the year but are not part of a bonus scheme. Hermes also have an employee recognition scheme called the Hermes Champion Awards. Gift vouchers are awarded to quarterly winners who have been nominated by their colleagues for demonstrating commitment to the business values.

Hansel Group of Charities provides an independent and confidential employee counselling service, available to all staff. Flexibility in working arrangement is available in response to individual factors.

Hansel Group of Charities provides an independent and confidential employee counselling service, available to all staff. Flexibility in working arrangement is available in response to individual factors.

The company regularly hold pub quizzes in aid of their chosen charity, but perhaps the most memorable social event recently was the GS1 UK Olympics which they ran in parallel to the London Olympics. The Company was divided into six teams, each given a name of a smaller country that does not normally feature high on the medals chart. They held events in table football, WII sports, table tennis and created a medals board. The feedback from the event was great and staff enjoyed interacting with people that they wouldn't normally have the chance to.

The company regularly hold pub quizzes in aid of their chosen charity, but perhaps the most memorable social event recently was the GS1 UK Olympics which they ran in parallel to the London Olympics. The Company was divided into six teams, each given a name of a smaller country that does not normally feature high on the medals chart. They held events in table football, WII sports, table tennis and created a medals board. The feedback from the event was great and staff enjoyed interacting with people that they wouldn't normally have the chance to.