About Redweb

Ensuring employees wellbeing is a primary objective for Redweb, as without them and their personas the company does not exist. To ensure that they are a happy workforce Redweb offer the benefits including pensions and match pension contributions up to 6% for all staff. They also offer eye care vouchers for free eye tests, chiropractor discounts, childcare vouchers, healthcare scheme with Bupa, free fresh fruit, tea, coffee and other refreshments. In addition, there is a Christmas shutdown to minimise workplace stress. They have an open plan, relaxed office environment with breakout areas and areas for fun. There are “Ask Us Anything” boxes for an open atmosphere, where employees can ask senior managers whatever they want in the knowledge that it is anonymous. Employees can enjoy discounts at various local establishments, an internal Tuck Shop filled with goodies selected by employees at discounted prices, a Cycle to work scheme and an employee helpline, which staff can call to speak confidentially to someone about money advice, bereavement, stress, work, family and relationships. Redweb also allow flexible working hours and the ability for everyone to work from home. The company feel that combined these lead to a happy workplace that is founded on honesty, collaboration, a flat culture and employee welfare. They have a relaxed working environment and are not strict with people’s time. Working hours are flexible so staff can start and finish when it suits them. They also plan events throughout the year to break up the day. These include a Netflix club during the winter months, the Redweb Olympics and Golf Open, a Christmas party and an awards show called Redweb Stars. They also celebrate smaller things like National Chocolate Day with free chocolates for the office and even have a monthly Bake Off.

To encourage team interaction, communication and to maintain a relaxed culture Redweb hold a number of initiatives throughout the organisation. They have an open plan office where even the CEO sits amongst the development teams. Each team also has hot desks so that members of other teams can come to work with them. They have various breakout areas including soft play areas like Narnia, a unique room accessed via a real wardrobe and various kitchens that play host to Fifa tournaments and table football competitions. Recently they also bought a table tennis table for the bar, which is used almost every day by staff. In terms of process, they provide each new starter with a ‘passport’ induction pack. This includes a requirement to meet various people in the agency known as ‘Culture Coaches’, who explain what they and their team does, meaning that new starters are introduced to teams throughout the agency from day one. They have an innovation lab, where staff are encouraged to collaborate with innovation staff on projects outside of their day to day work. These projects are often showcased at one of the regular ‘Sharing Sessions’, which are normally held over lunch so that staff can come down and grab a drink whilst hearing about what their colleagues have been up to. The Front End Development team have taken this one step further and hold a monthly ‘Code Off’, with each month presenting a different challenge in which they must use code innovatively.

Some of Redweb's charitable contributions and community initiatives over the past 12 months include a two-minute beach clean, where employees headed to Bournemouth beach and held a beach clean to see how much rubbish they could collect in just two minutes. They also took part in a YMCA raffle and sponsored run, where they raised over £500.00 through an office raffle and a sponsored 10k run. Local companies donated a range of prizes for the raffle and also held a bake sale. Some staff took part in a sponsored Foodbank Challenge, where they lived off of food parcels for a number of days. Some star bakers contributed to producing baked goods to raise money for Alzheimer’s. Redweb’s biggest contribution to the community is the annual conference Digital Wave. This is a free one-day event for 14 – 19-year-old students to attend and gain insights into careers within digital. They have guest speakers from big name companies including Microsoft, the RNLI and IBM, as well as a host of local companies exhibiting. The conference comes off the back of the company’s Digital Days in conjunction with BIMA. Redweb’s mission is to encourage the next generation to pursue a career in digital, particularly at local companies. In collaboration with Bournemouth & Poole College they invite apprentices to join each year with a view to employing them at the end of their apprenticeships.