Wellbeing - How employees feel about stress, pressure at work and life balance
The Wellbeing factor is closely linked with Fair Deal. If the scores for Fair Deal are low, the first place we’d recommend you look is Wellbeing.
If Wellbeing is also low, it may be that employees are being worked too hard and feel they are not being fairly remunerated for it.


Employees struggling with their mental health or specific issues can access telephone, online and counselling support via the company's Employee Assistance Programme. There are factsheets and HR support on topics such as financial wellbeing and menopause, and manager-level staff benefit from private healthcare, including online GPs. Team members also get free meals on shift.
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.


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.
Ensuring staff wellbeing has always been a key priority, and a host of initiatives are in place to support this. In 2019, their Mental Health Awareness programme was launched, this has had a tangible impact on its culture and contributed to making it the open and supportive environment which it is today.


Employees now have access to a workplace health programme with annual health checks, online GP appointments, counselling sessions and other benefits, including health screenings and gym memberships. The company is also happy to pay if employees want to take a gym class together or hire a venue for a game of football.
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.


Employees get a complimentary breakfast and fresh fruit every day. They also get longer lunch breaks so they get time to exercise without having to rush back. And each office’s ‘vibrant and contemporary feel’ is created through break-out zones and relaxing areas with activities such as table tennis and darts.
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.
Devoted to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of its colleagues, Charles Tyrwhitt has a number of trained Mental Health First Aiders who are on hand to help and direct colleagues who find themselves in a difficult time. Providing personal support and multiple resources online means that everyone has access to the help they need.




Palmers is a mindful business – signed up to a 'Mindful Business Charter.' It promotes staff wellbeing and considerate communications with clients and other contacts. Staff can attend a six-week mindfulness course and a nutrition and wellness seminar and are free to use a quiet room for meditations or "time outs".
The Entertainments Committee arranges events to help employees get to know each other socially, from the annual party, trips to London and the theatre to BBQs with games and challenges. There are also charity events, including marathons and themed days. And a team-building Palmers' football team competes with other local businesses.
Local people, local businesses, employees and their families are invited to Palmers' annual Christmas carol concert in aid of its charity of the year. The firm hires a choir and band and hosts a poetry competition for school children – the winners getting to recite them to the congregation.


The agency's helping its employees through the cost-of-living crisis. There've been special salary increases for more than half of staff, and a senior manager-donated 'Energy Fund' offering a one-off, interest-free emergency loan to help with bills. There's also been a 'Talk Money' week with advice sessions, and staff have access to a free-of-charge financial advisor.
ITGers have "focus, spark and drive", and they're supported to realise their potential and hone their skills. Development opportunities include apprenticeships, management training and ITG's in-house digital and creative academies. The agency's Circuit programme rotates students around the business over 12 months to help them find their passion. Most go on to secure permanent roles.
The Enterprise scheme helps developing companies – often championing good causes – grow by volunteering expertise, helping them build a website, mentoring or leading workshops. The agency also chooses an annual charity to support with time, resources and cash. And its community team keeps its ear to the ground for local causes in need.


The agency goes big on Mental Health Awareness Week with yoga, resilience and gratitude sessions and British Sign Language workshops. And everyone got an experiences voucher "to do something awesome." DesignStudio has also worked closely with Mental Health UK to offer regular training on topics such as imposter syndrome and supportive conversations.
Monthly gatherings bring the team together in new ways, from a sound bath and meditation in the office to Zoom-hosted pottery workshops and a fancy dress tribute to David Bowie. There are also competitions, such as for the 'most steps', with the victor rewarded with a National Trust membership.
There's a generous yearly training budget split amongst teams ensuring everyone can benefit. There is also a growing mentoring culture, with 10 employees joining the Creative Mentor Network to learn how to be inclusive industry leaders to support those from disadvantaged backgrounds in getting a foothold in the creative industries.


AppLearn always ensures the team has something to look forward to, from free on-site yoga and HIIT sessions to breakfast and healthy snacks. There's also a lunchtime walking club, regular competitions like monthly step count challenges, and a Tuesday night football team.
A dedicated talent acquisition partner has helped re-focus the hiring process. This has included a better understanding of unconscious bias, communicating with candidates in a structured way to reduce stress and anxiety and launching schemes and internships to boost workplace diversity, including women in tech roles.
Each department has a training budget for staff to build skills, attend courses and achieve qualifications. For employees keen to gain experience and skills in certain areas, there's the opportunity to get involved with wider business projects. For instance, staff wanting to build confidence in public speaking can present to the company.
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