About WaterAid

In September 2014, WaterAid launched their new ‘[email protected]’ programme. The programme is open to all those with line management responsibility, it runs across four months and aims to develop excellent management practice in people, performance and change management. The programme is a blended design of individual work, virtual sessions, a face to face workshop and an alumni group. From the evaluation conducted, the company know that 100% of attendees would recommend the programme. Participants report an increase in clarity, competence, and confidence in their line management skills. Their aim is for all line managers at WaterAid to participate in this programme. They also have other resources available to support their line managers, including management pocketbooks and guidance materials on career conversations and performance management.

WaterAid do a number of different activities as part of Giving Something Back and are currently considering a 'volunteering' day for their staff to get further involved with the local community. The company have a collection annually for the local food bank (this is usually close to Christmas) and many people use their office space to raise funds for their own charities and WaterAid allow the use of their communication channels. They are also part of the Business Improvement District for Vauxhall; this is a group of local businesses who support initiatives to improve the area. The company have recently had a payroll giving day, where they became the first charity to win a platinum award for their management sign up of employees on the scheme. They had 33 of their staff sign up to this on one day. This is a way for staff to contribute to a charity via their salary, under a salary sacrifice scheme, which is tax free. This can be any charity, not just WaterAid.

WaterAid’s vision is clear, short and concise, and they frequently communicate it in the concise phrase of “everyone, everywhere by 2030”. This phrase is a constant presence across all internal and external communications, and a particularly effective way of embedding their mission in the consciousness of all WaterAid employees. In their most recent global employee survey, 95% of staff reported having “a good understanding of WaterAid’s overall vision and mission”. The company share stories from their work on the ground in their bi-weekly newsletter, at their weekly meetings and via Yammer to ensure that all employees are kept informed of progress and see the impact of their work on achieving the company’s mission. WaterAid’s mission and vision, and particularly their values are reinforced constantly, for example in their physical office space via posters and other resources, through activities such as their values awards and My WaterAid Week. This is a celebratory week in May, which is themed around their values and including, amongst other things, a cake-baking competition.