What are companies doing with regards to 'Wellbeing'

Employee Innovation Days, which happen every quarter, mean all staff stop paid work to explore, learn or nail down something that interests them. These are great days to work with others from across the business on whatever is important to them.

In 2022, the organisation raised over £15,000 for charity, supported local code clubs, and provided pro bono development work for charities. It launched The Ghyston Foundation which offers STEM outreach, supports employees’ charitable endeavours, and is committed to donating 10% of its annual profits to charity – with a target of £1million donated by 2032.

A monthly ‘Glee Update’ is an opportunity to share important information and celebrate employees’ stand-out work over the past month. It includes the ‘Gleeson Lottery’, where staff can nominate supportive colleagues for prizes. It’s also a chance for the team to get together in the new office bar for post-meeting drinks.

Every team member gets a day off a year to volunteer for a charity of their choice, and the company rents its rooms for a charitable donation. And Gleeson Recruitment Group is proudly more than two years ‘climate positive’ – on target to have helped plant 25,000 trees by the end of 2023.

Every team member gets a monthly fun budget of £10 which can be spent on anything to encourage team building, from dinners to escape rooms. And employees who a colleague has nominated for going the extra mile could win a prize if they win the monthly vote.

More than 600 nominations were received for the company’s inaugural ‘Simply Oscars’, which aim to reward and recognise employees for their efforts. Including behaviour-related categories such as ‘guiding light’ and fun ones like ‘best dressed,’ the winners – chosen by the CEO – were announced at the end-of-year party, all receiving a £100 gift card.

The 'Heart of Oakman' is the company's bespoke reward and recognition scheme. It celebrates colleagues who live the values and go beyond the call of duty with instant, branded rewards chosen specifically for them and accompanied by a personalised message. The gift and the story behind it are then shared group-wide for all to see.

The Oakman Group has a proud history of supporting local community organisations and national charities – including a £25,000 donation to the Epilepsy Society. Now the company's taking a more venue-based approach to charitable giving, letting the team choose who they want to support. Good causes include hospices and animal shelters, lifeboats and food banks.

All staff are on the digital learning portal giving them access to content, events and training and helping them create development plans. There are also open sessions throughout the year on topics including ‘unconscious bias’ and ‘building resilience’. And staff can undertake technical training or academic study and learn from internal coaches and mentors.

In the past year, employees have donated more than £200,000 to causes they care about through the Payroll Giving Scheme. And NATS also supports two corporate charities – the Jon Egging Trust (JET), by offering young people communication and leadership workshops and Aerobility, which gives disabled people the chance to fly a plane.

Outside regular team meetings, the company is keen to ensure that no one feels isolated and that the spirit of One Meridian is maintained, as it is a geographically diverse business. As a result, several unofficial groups from across the business have allowed teams to interact in a fun and less formal way.

The sky is the limit for Meridian Business Support's staff. They believe you don't have to have previous experience to be considered for a role, what is more important is that you demonstrate that you have the right behaviours and attitude to give something a try and they will provide the support to develop you.

Employees are recognised for their efforts and hard work with rewards and incentives. There are bonuses for passing exams and team nights out for hitting targets. And if staff recommend a candidate for a role, they can get £500, £1000, or more (depending on the seniority of the position) if they’re appointed.

Charity and community are part of the fabric at Fitzrovia IT. In the last 12 months, employees have participated in two 10k runs and raised £2000 for the MS Society. The company is always happy to match the donations or sponsorship raised by its employees.

The company ensures everyone knows their role in its vision and purpose. Employees get weekly leadership round-ups that give updates and highlight performance against long-term goals. And there are team and office meetings at least three times a week to share ideas and celebrate success.

The ‘Engager of the Month’ award recognises colleagues who’ve exceeded in performance, effort and demonstrating the values. And employees who’ve gone above and beyond are treated to a meal with the directors. In addition, if sales team members hit their targets, there are vouchers, experience days and holidays for the taking.

Charles Tyrwhitt has implemented many sustainable measures to reduce its environmental impact, such as eco lightbulbs, making its brochures fully recyclable, and has offset its remaining emissions, making the business carbon neutral for the first time. It has also incorporated a "Plastic action group" who have reduced the amount of plastic used in its packaging.

Charles Tyrwhitt recognises the importance of development to its colleagues and has recently launched a new learning platform to give colleagues easy access to self-service learning and development material. To raise colleagues self-awareness it has taken the entire workforce through their individual "Insights" profiles, which will support their working relationships with each other.