What are companies doing with regards to 'My Team'

A running club support to physical health is run by staff. Anyone can join, whether they are a seasoned runner or someone who is just starting out. The company also organises walks around its beautiful farm location in the Hertfordshire countryside.

The company likes to give consistent feedback and recognition to staff and has introduced the SPOT awards. Anyone in the business can give a SPOT award to another employee if they have gone the extra mile. Managers are encouraged to give regular feedback to staff at one-to-ones and in team meetings.

'Timeout Tuesday' events allow staff to take time out of their working day to focus on their wellbeing by taking part in activities such as massage, yoga, and workshops and webinars. The events are chosen by employees during surveys. Fitness challenges are also staged during the year, including a Tough Mudder run for charity.

Chief Executive, John Goodall, has established an open and collaborative working environment and has a strong, inspirational presence within the company. He sits with the teams in the open-plan office. Senior leaders make sure that all staff are communicated with honestly and believe in the importance of everyone having a voice.

The online Home Instead Academy allows employees to upskill on a range of topics including diversity and inclusion, and how to communicate effectively. Each new joiner has five days of training with franchise owners and there is funding available for external coaching. The company also offers a four-week exchange programme with the US office.

The company's Home Instead Charities UK arm has a mission to reduce loneliness and isolation in the UK’s ageing population. In 2021 the organisation distributed over £50,000 for 55 community groups benefiting more than 22,000 ageing adults, with activities including memory cafes, singing groups for people with dementia, art classes and yoga sessions.

A monthly company-wide recognition incentive, 'Cheera,' lets employees nominate colleagues for exemplary work they've done to benefit customers, their colleagues or the wider community. A winning name is pulled from a hat, with the employee giving their £500 to a charity of their choice.

In the past 12 months, 95% of employees have completed some work-relating training. Through the Enterprise Initiative Scheme, the company partners with Microsoft, giving staff access to industry-leading accreditations and learning pathways. The company covers the cost of work-related training and offers five days of paid study leave.

Feedback from staff shows that the improved methods of communicating organisational clarity used over the past 18 months have been welcomed because employees feel more connected to what Gearset is trying to achieve. A week-long company strategy event enabled cross-team collaboration and the chance to share.

For the annual Christmas Jumper Day, Gearset supported Shirtforce, by buying jumpers from the company for staff and raising more than £500 for charity. The company also took part in the Cambridge Half Marathon to aid two local charities, Romsey Mill, which helps disadvantage children and families, and homeless charity Jimmy's Night Shelter.

Staff who demonstrate outstanding commitment to the club's values are nominated by colleagues for the NSNO (Nil Satis Nisi Optimum) staff awards. Staff networks and project groups focus on making positive change and shaping what the club does. The organisation says: "Keeping our people central to that gives them a stake in what we do."

Everton is leading the charge for equity and inclusion within the football and sports sector and corporate business operations through its 'All Together Now' campaign. The Club has partnered with initiatives such as Liverpool Against Racism, Women In Football and the Rainbow Toffees, its LGBTQ+ supporters' group.

Eton Bridge's wellbeing team, which was launched two years ago, has driven a range of initiatives. Eight social clubs have been set up, including those for HIIT training, cycling, recipe sharing, walking and a book club. It has also hosted group conversations around mental health and sponsored three mental health first-aiders.

Last year, a team used one of their charity days to transform the overgrown sensory garden at the Riverside Children’s Centre, in Maidenhead. They worked hard to turn it into an area that could be enjoyed by the families using the centre's services.

Cyber-Duck supports Goods for Good, a Hertfordshire charity that sends goods donated by businesses and individuals to vulnerable communities around the world. Its services have been needed more than ever, in Afghanistan and Ukraine, and Cyber-Duck donated technology and set up digital platforms for the charity. Staff also helped with packing goods and ran fundraisers.

The company is developing Cyber-Duck Academies, in both of the open-source technologies it specialises in, Laravel and Drupal. Research and development time is set aside during working hours to give the company's developers cutting-edge, challenging work and community recognition.

Staff are experiencing less stress at work and greater job satisfaction thanks to various fatigue-busting initiatives. These include journals for more effective planning, duvet days and more regular breaks away from the desk. Employees can use the on-site gym or enjoy discounted rates at local fitness centres.

All staff can take advantage of training and mentoring schemes. The company's trainee academy focuses on giving employment and development opportunities to people new to the recruitment industry. It wants to establish home-grown talent grounded in the agency's values that can then go on to coach others.