What are companies doing with regards to 'My Team'

Employees enjoy a morale-boosting 'office dog day' where one owner brings their pet to meet the team. Staff also benefit from a health cash plan, employee assistance programme and full health checks from a local gym. The team is scheduled to return before year end to check progress and celebrate employee achievements.

There's a generous annual budget for learning and development, and employees are encouraged to request any training they believe would benefit their roles, from degrees to professional courses. And the company works with staff with specific career aspirations to formulate career pathways and development plans.

caba's developing a leadership framework to help managers become confident leaders capable of meeting the charity's future challenges. It already gives its leaders and managers the freedom to be creative and innovative. It trusts them to challenge actions that aren't in line with the charity's values and behaviours.

caba gives all candidates the interview questions in advance to promote a level playing field, particularly for those who are neurodiverse. There's also a buddy system to ensure new starters have a familiar face to turn to outside their team and plans for a new starter network.

Evolito runs a fitness challenge where departments compete against each other, with the winners receiving Nike vouchers. Many employees participate, with people walking at the weekend to add to their team's success. The organisation invited a bike doctor onsite and employees were able to bring up to two bikes each for a free service.

Employees have the opportunity to win prizes every week during Friday’s ‘Spin the Wheel’. If some employees work late, the organisation will order them food for free. The organisation also sends thank yous to employees’ families. It recently sent flowers to the partners of two employees who had been working late for several weeks.

Questions and feedback are encouraged at the monthly business-wide breakfast meetings. Staff are updated on company progress and have the opportunity to make suggestions. Any issues raised are addressed asap, and progress updates are given at the next meeting. There are also weekly team meetings to discuss workload and any problems.

‘Whitcode Wishes’ is the consultancy’s own charity. It raises funds to make hampers and buy Christmas presents for underprivileged children to spread festive magic and support as many families as possible. And in terms of ‘giving something back’ to the environment, the company aims to be recognised as a leader in environmental design.

'The Golden Pen' is the company's weekly recognition award – an opportunity for teammates to celebrate each other's work. During the Monday meeting, the 'pen' is awarded by the previous holder, with the CEO giving the winner a shoutout. All winners from the previous four weeks get a voucher prize in the monthly meeting.

'Papier with Purpose' is the company's CSR programme encouraging employees to give back to the local community through paid-for volunteering days, as well as being charitable and mindful of environmental impact. Initiatives include mentoring young people to help them into the creative industries, donating excess stock and giving a proportion of card sales to charity.

To support the ongoing business strategy, Verastar have launched a number of new initiatives, including system investment. The progress is underpinned by the CEO’s communication in his monthly newsletter, VNews, or via a senior leader cascade. It’s important that teams across the business are updated and can support each other with new ways of working.

The organisation operates a bonus scheme, STAR bonus. This scheme rewards colleagues with a quarterly bonus of up to 2.5% of their annual salary based on the achievement of specific objectives. Verastar also ensures that any goals set are stretching so that its employees are continually developing in their roles.

Consultus has many success stories such as Alison’s. Since starting as a receptionist, she has had several promotions, and she now holds a director position at the company. "Working for Consultus provides huge opportunity for its employees and I am living proof that through hard work, focus, and determination the sky is the limit.”

Consultus supports many charities such as Hope Against Cancer. More recently, it became involved in clean and green schemes in Leicester city centre and became a sponsor of Maidenhead United Football Club and attends match days to raise more money for Hope Against Cancer, raising over £500.

Employees are encouraged to create a Personal VTO (Vision Traction Organiser), outlining their personal and career aspirations for the next one to five years. This document serves as the basis for a discussion with their manager, and any necessary training opportunities or flexible work arrangements required to support their personal objectives are identified and prioritised.

Voted for by staff, Dura’s local, environmental, and national charity partners are close to employee hearts. For 2023-2024, it has chosen to fundraise to support the work of EACH (East Anglia Children’s Hospices), Essex Wildlife Trust, and MIND. It also holds regular upcycling days and other well-publicised events to raise awareness of these charities.