Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Global*
Good Company
to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Globally*
MOVE ASIDE, HENRY. Of all the household gadgets, the humble hoover seems to be at the centre of design innovation and leading the way is Vax. The company has increased in size 10 times over the past decade and its technology is advancing at such a rate that the appliances will surely be airborne next. This Birmingham-based firm knows that it is through trying and testing that groundbreaking products are invented, so staff are encouraged to get creative. A few years ago Jake Tyler designed and built the first cardboard hoover while on a work placement. The idea was embraced by the business and through the ingenuity of its team the world's first full-size cordless vacuum was unveiled. Vax is proud of its workforce and employees know they have a bright future there, a 70% positive score. Internal promotions are commonplace and last year 50% of vacancies were filled by existing members of the team. With such expansion, and the firm's recent opening of its third site, it is aware there is a risk of losing the agility and closeness of a small company. To counter this, an internal networking platform was launched allowing departments to post discussion topics, ask questions and generally keep up with the comings and goings of colleagues. When a marketing manager enquired how businesses could be persuaded to drop the traditional mop and bucket and take up one of Vax's gadgets, people from all across the business got involved. Employees know they can personally contribute to the firm's success (81%) and a “mop amnesty” PR campaign was devised. Teams also come together to support their local community. At least 20,000 cakes were baked in 2014, bonnets were woven at Easter and the wards of Birmingham Children's Hospital were transformed into a Frozen-themed fairyland over Christmas. A group of 20 novice rowers took park in Worcester's dragon boat regatta and the half-marathon is an event that gets more popular every year. Vax scored highest in the My Team section of our survey (77%) and staff find their colleagues fun and know that people across the company care for each other (both 80%). www.vax.co.ukuktest.co.uk
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Vax's senior team demonstrate their commitment to the values by essentially role-modelling them and recognising those employees who display them. They talk about “Pushing the boundaries with big targets”. Vax had a very recent internet sale where they achieved 4 times their target. This was achievable because all of the senior team engaged the workforce in this; created banter and fun around the sale, blogging on their Hive social enterprise site and creating a huge amount of passion and energy that radiated through the business. Not only that, but the senior team “took responsibility” for the incredible workload achieving such big targets would place on their warehouse operations, therefore the UK board Directors all volunteered themselves to work in the warehouse during the busy time, and volunteered their teams also. Directed by the Warehouse supervisors, the Directors labelled boxes, boxed orders and prepared pallets for distribution. There can't be many companies where the Directors all take responsibility for the impact of their decisions and personally help those functions impacted. There is an ingrained culture of being straightforward at Vax and senior manager's role model this by challenging openly. There are some great examples of this taking place recently on the company's Hive system, whereby senior managers will openly question something that doesn't work as well as it could in the business, or particular products they need to review and will put the question out there openly for people to comment on how they can fix an issue.
I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation
One of the distinctive features about Vax's culture is its team unity and spirit. This is evident in both the way they do business together and how they have fun together away from the office. Vax's flagship event last year was their “Family Fun Day” where colleagues, families and pets alike joined together for a day out in the sun! Held at Studley Castle in Warwickshire, Vax wanted to provide an opportunity for people to mingle in a beautiful setting whilst also satisfying the energy that their employees have through a competitive game or two! Held on a Sunday (not a usual working day for many) Vax colleagues came from far and wide to enjoy the free barbeque and each other's company. After a few hours of excited chatter and laughter, it was time to let the games commence. Not only were there fairground stalls where the little, or let's be honest, big ones could win a cuddly toy but there was the grand finale “It's a Knockout”. The core value “we push the boundaries with BIG TARGETS” is at the heart of Vax employees, making the company ambitious by nature, so it was no surprise that when put into teams, the camaraderie commenced to beat the competition! Vax pulled together to succeed using their skills, techniques, enthusiasm and collaboration, all whilst getting a little bit wet on the journey. A great day was had by all and we all came back to work with an invigorated team spirit!
I feel that my manager talks openly and honestly with me
Vax's senior team demonstrate their commitment to the values by essentially role-modelling them and recognising those employees who display them. They talk about “Pushing the boundaries with big targets”. Vax had a very recent internet sale where they achieved 4 times their target. This was achievable because all of the senior team engaged the workforce in this; created banter and fun around the sale, blogging on their Hive social enterprise site and creating a huge amount of passion and energy that radiated through the business. Not only that, but the senior team “took responsibility” for the incredible workload achieving such big targets would place on their warehouse operations, therefore the UK board Directors all volunteered themselves to work in the warehouse during the busy time, and volunteered their teams also. Directed by the Warehouse supervisors, the Directors labelled boxes, boxed orders and prepared pallets for distribution. There can't be many companies where the Directors all take responsibility for the impact of their decisions and personally help those functions impacted. There is an ingrained culture of being straightforward at Vax and senior manager's role model this by challenging openly. There are some great examples of this taking place recently on the company's Hive system, whereby senior managers will openly question something that doesn't work as well as it could in the business, or particular products they need to review and will put the question out there openly for people to comment on how they can fix an issue.
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Vax's senior team demonstrate their commitment to the values by essentially role-modelling them and recognising those employees who display them. They talk about “Pushing the boundaries with big targets”. Vax had a very recent internet sale where they achieved 4 times their target. This was achievable because all of the senior team engaged the workforce in this; created banter and fun around the sale, blogging on their Hive social enterprise site and creating a huge amount of passion and energy that radiated through the business. Not only that, but the senior team “took responsibility” for the incredible workload achieving such big targets would place on their warehouse operations, therefore the UK board Directors all volunteered themselves to work in the warehouse during the busy time, and volunteered their teams also. Directed by the Warehouse supervisors, the Directors labelled boxes, boxed orders and prepared pallets for distribution. There can't be many companies where the Directors all take responsibility for the impact of their decisions and personally help those functions impacted. There is an ingrained culture of being straightforward at Vax and senior manager's role model this by challenging openly. There are some great examples of this taking place recently on the company's Hive system, whereby senior managers will openly question something that doesn't work as well as it could in the business, or particular products they need to review and will put the question out there openly for people to comment on how they can fix an issue.
I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation
One of the distinctive features about Vax's culture is its team unity and spirit. This is evident in both the way they do business together and how they have fun together away from the office. Vax's flagship event last year was their “Family Fun Day” where colleagues, families and pets alike joined together for a day out in the sun! Held at Studley Castle in Warwickshire, Vax wanted to provide an opportunity for people to mingle in a beautiful setting whilst also satisfying the energy that their employees have through a competitive game or two! Held on a Sunday (not a usual working day for many) Vax colleagues came from far and wide to enjoy the free barbeque and each other's company. After a few hours of excited chatter and laughter, it was time to let the games commence. Not only were there fairground stalls where the little, or let's be honest, big ones could win a cuddly toy but there was the grand finale “It's a Knockout”. The core value “we push the boundaries with BIG TARGETS” is at the heart of Vax employees, making the company ambitious by nature, so it was no surprise that when put into teams, the camaraderie commenced to beat the competition! Vax pulled together to succeed using their skills, techniques, enthusiasm and collaboration, all whilst getting a little bit wet on the journey. A great day was had by all and we all came back to work with an invigorated team spirit!
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Vax's senior team demonstrate their commitment to the values by essentially role-modelling them and recognising those employees who display them. They talk about “Pushing the boundaries with big targets”. Vax had a very recent internet sale where they achieved 4 times their target. This was achievable because all of the senior team engaged the workforce in this; created banter and fun around the sale, blogging on their Hive social enterprise site and creating a huge amount of passion and energy that radiated through the business. Not only that, but the senior team “took responsibility” for the incredible workload achieving such big targets would place on their warehouse operations, therefore the UK board Directors all volunteered themselves to work in the warehouse during the busy time, and volunteered their teams also. Directed by the Warehouse supervisors, the Directors labelled boxes, boxed orders and prepared pallets for distribution. There can't be many companies where the Directors all take responsibility for the impact of their decisions and personally help those functions impacted. There is an ingrained culture of being straightforward at Vax and senior manager's role model this by challenging openly. There are some great examples of this taking place recently on the company's Hive system, whereby senior managers will openly question something that doesn't work as well as it could in the business, or particular products they need to review and will put the question out there openly for people to comment on how they can fix an issue.
Companies offering a minimum of 26 days annual leave to all employees.
Companies offering at least 10 weeks’ full pay or generous alternative.
Companies offering profit related pay to all employees.
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