My Manager
My Manager

People Managers Matter

7 in 10 employees leave because of their manager - not the company. Strong manager relationships boost engagement, reduce turnover and drive growth
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Softwire

Softwire provides permanent health insurance which pays 75% of an employee’s salary (less state benefits) until normal retirement age in the event that they are unable to work for a prolonged period due to most forms of sickness or accident. All employees are automatically covered for this benefit without having to explicitly sign up.
Softwire provides specific Line Manager Training to all employees who are starting in a management role. This training has a mixture of management and leadership theory, workshops around how to give and receive great feedback, discussion forums where employees can bring real-life scenarios, and resources to continue to learn how to develop those skills.
The organisation celebrates employee achievements and contributions during the "Softwire Awards". Potential winners are nominated by colleagues, and four prizes of £500 are awarded to the people who had most embodied each of the company’s four values (Kindness, Trust, Fun, and Caring about what we do).
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Technology

SMS

SMS offers a number of different forms of leave depending on an employee’s circumstance including compassionate leave, fertility treatment, miscarriage, bereavement, and other unfortunate or unforeseen circumstances. Paid time for dependents - emergency cover, unpaid. It has 2023 increased our paternity leave package to two weeks of full pay.

It has also recently introduced a bespoke management development programme (MDP) - which has been designed to ensure its managers and team leaders have the core skills and competencies needed to perform their jobs successfully. The programme consists of a number of managerial, coaching, and developmental modules.

SMS has continued to ensure engagement with its people. Organisational clarity has come from the CEO, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief People Officer having regular contact with employees via short video updates, e-mails, texts, pulse surveys, and five employee resource groups. The organisation’s mission, vision, and purpose were communicated via annual performance and development reviews.

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Utilities

Ampa Group

Wellbeing is structured around four pillars—Mental, Social, Physical and Financial. Support includes an EAP and Mental Health First Aiders, with visibility enhanced via intranet badges. The Wellbeing Inclusion Group promotes activities like walking groups and book clubs to support holistic health.
Managers are empowered to recognise achievements through the Star Award gift voucher programme, enabling immediate, meaningful recognition. This supports a culture of appreciation and reinforces Ampa Group’s values in day-to-day interactions.
In 2024, Ampa Group hubs raised over £16,000 for charity, while the Ampa Foundation donated more than £48,000 to causes including Nottingham’s Breast Cancer Research Centre and the Spinal Injuries Association.
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Law

QCS Staffing

Employees at QCS Staffing have access to a range of wellbeing resources, including: AXA private healthcare; SMART time provided by in-house trainers, to confidentially discuss any concerns; the Healthshield cash plan; enhanced maternity and paternity pay; increased holiday allowance with length of service and extra time off for all over Christmas; and more.
QCS Staffing’s FastTrack to Future Leadership programme is completed by all managers who join the business. Its internal trainers provide training, coaching and support on a range of topics from communication and coaching to motivation and management activities. This is accompanied by role play exercises and knowledge sharing sessions with senior team members.
The organisation rewards employees through objectives set to each individual each month. If all four objectives are hit, they receive a 3pm finish or money; three months in a row, they receive a half-day holiday or money; and six months in a row they receive a seat at Directors club or half-day holiday.
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Recruitment

Pinnacle Consulting Engineers

Employees at Pinnacle Consulting Engineers have access to a range of wellbeing benefits. This includes the organisation’s team of Mental Health First Aiders and its Employee Assistance Programme. To support physical wellbeing, the company provides a cycle to work scheme and subsidises sports and social groups.
All Principal Engineers and above hold management roles. They are Chartered members of their Institutions - Institution of Civil Engineering and Institution of Structural Engineering. Alongside their externally accredited technical skills, the organisation supports managers with the people and project management skills needed to lead teams of people to deliver projects for its clients.
The organisation has a Performance Management System that incorporates an Annual Appraisal and an Interim Review for all staff. Graduates and Apprentices receive quarterly reviews. It also has a Training Agreement with Institution of Civil Engineering for engineers to follow a structured route to Chartered Membership.
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Consultancy

Mansfield Building Society

Mansfield Building Society offers a comprehensive Management Development Programme for all current, new, and aspiring managers. Covering a range of key management skills, this 18-month programme ensures employees are challenged and their skills utilised effectively.
Mansfield Building Society prioritises employee wellbeing, with initiatives such as the Wellbeing Champions and Menopause Policy. The Society has also provided employees with fans and sanitary products, reflecting its commitment to employee welfare.
The Society encourages team spirit through events like the monthly Tea for the Soul sessions and the Summer BBQ. These events, along with initiatives like the old-fashioned school sports day, foster a sense of belonging and fun within teams.
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Financial Services

Howes Percival LLP

Howes Percival's LEAPS programme offers comprehensive development opportunities for all roles, encouraging employees to enhance their skills and achieve their career goals. The programme includes a variety of training options and encourages self-assessment.
The firm encourages team spirit through initiatives such as Coffee and Connect, where staff are paired with colleagues from different teams to foster understanding and cooperation. Social activities and charity events further promote a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Managers at Howes Percival receive dedicated support, including mentoring and access to a People Team contact for advice. The Performance Development Review process also helps managers identify development opportunities and gather feedback.
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Law

Fever-Tree

Fever-Tree clearly plots personal growth plans and career direction, supported by bespoke training for those new to management and in new roles, a women's network, and formal qualifications such as MBAs. The company amplifies success by having course participants become future programme sponsors, promoting peer-to-peer development.
Fever-Tree supports charitable and community initiatives globally, nationally, and locally. They actively mentor students with Future Frontiers, support food banks like Fareshare, and donate to Malaria no More. They give each member of staff a volunteer day to provide time towards these efforts.
Managers utilise the Bamboo HRIS system for a quarterly check-up programme, articulating where bespoke training or help is needed to succeed in objectives. They lay out clear objectives detailing what is required and what 'good looks like', ensuring employees know their individual, department, and business goals.
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Food & Drink

Dougie Mac

Dougie Mac holds regular sessions to support the mental health of its employees. It has reflection sessions, facilitated sessions with its Spiritual lead helping individuals to focus on themselves. It also has mental health first aiders across the organisation who are accessible to all staff as well as domestic abuse champions.
Dougie Mac has delivered a range of leadership and management courses and team leader programmes. It has a computer based training programme that provides access to a range of management training for managers and aspiring mangers to take. It also provides opportunities for mentoring, shadowing, and external assessment for development.
Team away days provide a mixture of team development, team working, and fun! Cross team working is important to Dougie Mac and there are a number of initiatives where individuals work together. As a hospice there are many team fundraising events including walks, runs, sky dives, and balls.
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Charity's

Devon Air Ambulance

Devon Air Ambulance fosters a culture of continuous learning and development. Through its Management Development Programme, employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge, contributing to personal growth and the success of the organisation.
Devon Air Ambulance places a high importance on employee wellbeing with a pastoral care team and Wellbeing Ambassador team in place. The organisation provides a range of supports, from counselling to surf therapy, emphasising the balance between work and personal life.
Each employee has a monthly one-to-one with their line manager, fostering a supportive environment. Managers are also encouraged to attend essential modules focused on supporting performance and attendance.
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Charity's

Crafted

Crafted’s ‘Go Awards’ showcase the agency’s great people, the values they epitomise, and the amazing work they’ve done. Its yearly Crafties awards celebrate teams’ successes as well as naming an individual as ‘Craftie of the Year’. The agency also rewards employees through its annual profit share, which is shared equally, regardless of role.
Crafted organise regular social and team building events to help develop interdepartmental relationships. Events include everything from summer parties and awards evenings, to gaming nights and craft evenings. The agency also took its whole team to the Crystal Maze Experience in London for a bit hit of nostalgia and team building.
All managers have regular check ins with their line manager to encourage support within their role. Crafted also has a learning and development matrix which managers can access, which includes leadership courses such as Peerspective, allowing managers to benefit from a peer group-esque approach to development and coaching.
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Marketing & Media Agencies

Costello Medical

Costello Medical supports employee development through excellent internal training opportunities, funding for external courses, and a rolling promotions process. The company encourages both vertical and horizontal progression, offering employees the chance to expand their knowledge and expertise.
Costello Medical cultivates a team spirit through group Teams channels for each division and office. Regular social breaks, divisional socials, and activities like fundraisers encourage camaraderie and fun, fostering a sense of belonging within the team.
Managers at Costello Medical are trained to support their teams, fostering confidence and wellbeing. Regular catch-ups and feedback, coupled with a dedicated HR partner for each division, ensure that employees feel cared for and supported in their roles.
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Consultancy

CFG

Managers at CFG Law are supportive, trustworthy and caring. They deliver induction training sessions, explaining the company’s history and key priorities to all new joiners and have clear discussions around core values. They also conduct regular one-to-one meetings to discuss performance and personal training needs.
CFG Law believes in giving back to society. It organises numerous fundraising and awareness events such as the annual bring your dog to work day, charity bike rides and sports days. The organisation also supports local charities like the Spinal Injuries Association and Roadpeace West Midlands group.
CFG Law promotes a team-focused culture. It organises regular team building events like charity bike rides, sports days, golf tournaments and painting classes. These activities foster team spirit, fun and a sense of belonging amongst colleagues.
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Law

Broadland Housing Association

A budget is set aside each year to offer teams the chance to get together for something fun and encourage and support the team work ethic. Some examples are crazy golf, and coffee and cake. The organisation also holds a biannual event to ensure that all field based employees have an opportunity to get together.
The business provides secondment opportunities for current employees to become Managers/Team Leaders or side step into a different area of the business which often leads to that individual doing the role on a permanent basis. It has ensured that new managers within the organisation have access to CIH training and other training they may need.
Broadland Housing Association are part of a campaign called Independent East where it has teamed up with other Housing Associations to provide learning and awareness sessions on a range of subjects designed to develop employees by giving them awareness of certain situations that tenants or colleagues could be facing.
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Housing Associations

BM

Everyone at BM has the chance to learn, develop, and progress utilising a combination of virtual, online, classroom and workshop training. The organisation also offers mentoring, individual coaching, and DISC profiling through its decision to invest in an Learning and Development lead qualified in these areas.
BM supports industry, local, national and international charities, including Springboard (helping young, unemployed and disadvantaged people make a career in hospitality, leisure and tourism), White Lodge Centre (supporting disabled people of all ages), Macmillan World’s Biggest Coffee Morning, Sport Relief, Comic Relief and the Kotukula Primary School in the Gambia.
The organisation’s Early Careers Pathways are designed to upskill its teams from junior to senior roles in Front of House, Chef and Barista roles. It also operates 10 modules within its Managers Workshops package sharing best practice and senior manager skills, and managers can enrol in a variety of work-based NVQs from Level 4 onwards.
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Business Services

Barrhead Travel

The bespoke Training Academy offers industry-leading onboarding, personalised development plans, and accredited Modern Apprenticeship programmes. This investment in the next generation provides clear career pathways, fosters a motivated, skilled workforce, and helps reduce turnover and boost retention across the organisation.
Lively team talks feature Saturday morning TikTok dance challenges, which add an energetic twist and encourage bonding. Theme days like Wear It Purple promote fun and support important causes, while quarterly business updates and social events strengthen connections and foster a people-first culture.
Managers participate in a bespoke internal Leadership Programme of six modules over 12 months, developing core skills tailored to the culture. Regular welfare check-ins with employees on long-term sick leave and a visible, approachable leadership style ensure ongoing support and quick resolution of concerns.
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Leisure & Hospitality

ACT Training

Managers at ACT Training are seen as supportive, fostering trust and care among their teams. They undergo extensive training, including the Chris Hughes Management Academy and the ILM Level 5 Certificate, ensuring they have the necessary skills to excel in their roles.
ACT Training believes in giving back to society. Each year, the staff selects charities to support, organising various fundraising events. The company's commitment to community engagement is evident in its partnership with Business in The Community, volunteering at the 'Global Gardens' community project.
ACT Training places high importance on staff wellbeing. The company employs a full-time Staff Wellbeing & Engagement Officer, provides dedicated weekly wellbeing time, and hosts various health-focused initiatives, such as Staff Health Week and funded counselling sessions.
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Education & Training

Birdworld

The company supports its people's development through apprenticeships and CPD training, for example, the keeper team completes CPD with local wildlife charities. Leadership and management skills workshops are also offered, covering topics like communication and behaviour role modelling, with ongoing support from the People & Development team.
Birdworld empowers teams by involving them in daily operations and fostering an environment of direct, two-way discussion during weekly team meetings. This collaborative approach, combined with the "Good Egg Awards" peer recognition scheme, strengthens bonds and ensures that contributions are acknowledged and celebrated.
Birdworld's leaders are a key part of the day-to-day operations, working alongside their teams to support staff, guests and animals. This hands-on approach breaks down barriers, fostering a supportive environment where all team members feel comfortable providing feedback and sharing their views.
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Zest

Zest allocates a dedicated training budget and holds monthly meetings to assess learning priorities. A new Learning Management System enhances access to materials and a comprehensive skills and development project aims to map clear career pathways for those wishing to advance within the organisation.
The company provides a fair deal through performance-related pay increases throughout the year. Additionally, a yearly bonus is awarded based on both company performance and personal performance, directly linking individual contributions to overall organisational success.
Managers at Zest are supported with a comprehensive Manager Toolkit, offering guidance on recruitment and performance management. This is complemented by proactive conversations with the People Team, along with ongoing training and development opportunities to help them confidently navigate their responsibilities and grow in their roles.
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Utilities

Bumper International

Bumper supports colleague development through the Bumper Levels framework. This system clearly outlines the specific steps required for an individual to progress to the next level, helping them understand their own career path and empowering them to take charge of their professional growth.
The annual three-day retreat brings the Bumper team together in locations like Lisbon or rural France. This event allows colleagues from different departments to reconnect, get outside, and reset, fostering stronger relationships and a more cohesive and collaborative working environment.
Managers are empowered to develop their skills through structured opportunities like LinkedIn Learning courses and comprehensive “Managers How-To” guides. The Bumper Levels framework also helps managers support their teams' growth, ensuring they have the tools to provide meaningful feedback and guide their colleagues' success.
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Financial Services

Cinnamon Care Collection

Managers are highly trained in listening skills and in spotting and managing problems. They are encouraged to coach and mentor their successors, and the company offers a 360-degree feedback programme for leaders, all of which contribute to creating a supportive environment where team members feel comfortable asking for help.
In addition to a competitive 3.5% pay rise for care team members, the company’s career structure is a significant part of its reward strategy. It also offers the 'Spice of Life' benefits programme, which supports employee wellbeing, purchases, health, and pensions, ensuring a fair and rewarding employment experience.
Teams are encouraged to engage in physical activities together, such as walking for charity. The ‘Celebrating Cultures’ initiative promotes an inclusive environment where teams and residents embrace different cultures. The 'Sprinkle of Cinnamon' project also unites team members to make residents’ wishes come true, fostering a sense of shared purpose and camaraderie.
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Health & Social Care

Aquavista

Aquavista’s social committee ensures that there is a regular schedule of events throughout the year to look forward to. Leaders and managers are further encouraged to schedule regular team meetings with some of those focusing on team building exercises.
Aquavista provides managers with a combination of face-to-face and online learning covering both practical skills around the employee lifecycle as well as understanding behaviours and the links between behaviour and performance. The focus is on getting the best from your team as a Manager.
Every year, Aquavista chooses a charity to support. This year is Young Lives for Cancer. The organisation hosts numerous events throughout the year to raise funds, including a walking challenge and its summer market.
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Leisure & Hospitality

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists

Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists offers several development courses throughout the year, open to all employees. Its internal programme is aimed at creating world-class practice managers signifying the organisation’s commitment to fostering a culture of growth and development.
With regular Team Member Roadshows fostering collaboration and team spirit, Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists ensures that fun and a sense of belonging are integral to the work environment. The values awards further recognise and encourage team efforts.
At Bayfields Opticians and Audiologists, managers are equipped with the tools they need to support their teams effectively. The internal programme 'Greatness Starts with You' underscores the importance of supportive, trusting, and caring management in creating a world-class practice.
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Retail

ElectraLink

ElectraLink offers performance based pay increases and performance bonuses which are divided into three tiers. Tier One is for every employee and is based on company profit, paying out up to 100% if targets are beaten. Tier Two is team based targets for joint goals, and Tier Three is individual targets.
In 2023, ElectraLink introduced its Leadership Academy which is mandatory for anyone with line management responsibilities. It covers topics such as fair and inclusive recruitment, leadership styles, engaging your team, emotional intelligence, metrics, performance management, managing through change and building, and sustaining successful and high performing teams.
The organisation strongly believes in the importance of developing its people. On an annual basis, everyone sits down with their manager to have a development conversation and produce Personal Development Plans. Those identified as future talent can also access additional funds and ElectraLink is currently supporting three employees through their MBA.
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Technology

Understand your organisational health across all eight factors

You’ve explored the Factors - now discover how your organisation can gain deeper insight into what truly drives engagement and workplace culture.

Our approach measures organisational health across eight core areas: My Team, Leadership, My Manager, Personal Growth, My Company, Wellbeing, Fair Deal, and Giving Something Back. Together, they give you a complete view of how your people think, feel, and experience work.

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