From changing a tyre to dancing and cake making, skills among the staff at furniture chain Sofology are shared. The company believes employees have a vast amount of skills and knowledge that can be transferred to selling furniture, so it set up Sofology Skill Share, a series of colleague-led workshops.

The company, which has its headquarters in Golborne, in Greater Manchester, was founded in 1974 and is now the UK's fastest-growing sofa retailer, with more than 50 stores in Britain. It provides specialist sofa advice and inspiration for home interiors. The stores are designed to be a "haven of relaxation", it says.

It makes sure its staff get the chance to put their feet up, too, thanks to its investment in managing the impact of fatigue on staff. Sofology has doubled its headcount in the customer service department, avoids early morning and lunchtime meetings, and bans emails after 6pm. Shop staff have also been given longer holidays at Christmas.

Managers have been given in-depth mental health awareness training so that they can identify staff who are struggling emotionally with workload and the company has launched a wellbeing hub to give employees tips and advice on how to manage fatigue.

Guided by Sofology's values — progressive, committed, trusted, caring, fun, and exceptional — its aim is to help staff feel at home in their roles, by providing a safe and inclusive working environment where they are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work and thrive.