My Company

Food & Drink

Mindful Chef

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Each quarter the company runs a Mindful Chef Champions reward programme that encourages staff to nominate colleagues whom they feel have best displayed one or more of the three values — mindful, personal and unafraid. Prizes vary, but the most recent was a meal for two at a fine-dining restaurant.

The company launched its first management training programme, using an external consultant. It consisted of three 90-minute interactive workshops for managers at all levels of the company.

Staff survey results revealed a gap when it came to team building. As a result Mindful Chef ran a range of events in the office, such as cooking masterclasses, speed dating and games nights, all of which have gone down well with staff.

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Retail

River Island

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Islanders told the company that being kept up to date on what was going on in the company was important to them, so chief executive Will Kernan writes a weekly update to all business areas. He also sends video messages and there are quarterly town hall business updates. Senior leaders have also sent wellbeing messages.

River Island's ethos is "Our community is always open" and it has partnered with Blueprint for All, which was formerly the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, to help the company identify how to become an inclusive place to work and shop. It has learnt where some improvements can be made simply by listening to staff.

To thank staff for their efforts last year, which in spite of Brexit, a global pandemic and supply-chain problems, was a positive one for the company, they were given a bonus. The high-street market has been challenging, but passionate, hard-working Islanders ensured that the company remained resilient.

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Automotive

Sandicliffe

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The company's menopause policy was written by staff and there is a WhatsApp group so they can support each other. In addition, there will be a wellbeing champion at each site. The company also partners with Ben, a charity that supports motor industry employees, and staff with any concerns are referred to it.

Sandicliffe ensures that it pays for a role rather than the person. For example, a technician is paid £24,26 and £28,000, dependant on qualifications. All salaries are checked to make sure they are in line with market rates and staff are paid accordingly. Moves are being made to attract more women to the business.

All staff were given a "thank you" bonus, a pizza day and a pay rise last year. Employees and managers can nominate a Sandicliffe Star and the winner is given £200, after tax. Easter eggs, chocolates, nights out and gifts are also given for high performance.

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Law

Ampa

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Ampa is committed to becoming a net zero company and has pledged to off-set its carbon emissions from its 2019 baseline. The firm is in the process of selecting an off-setting partner to assist with this and its office hubs are now 100% supplied by renewable energy contracts.

As part of its recruitment process, the firm uses social media to share content about company culture and job opportunities. Its advertising reflects the desire to open doors to a wider range of candidates and LinkedIn helps in identifying and building relationships with potential future talent.

In 2022 the firm launched its 'Brilliant Leaders' programme, focusing on growth mindset and the firms IOS philosophy, as well as a 'Leadership Fundamentals' programme for aspiring managers. Ampa has also partnered with Go MAD Thinking Ltd, which has developed a thinking and coaching toolkit based on 12 aspects of leadership.

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Technology

Vianet Group

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To attract more top talent, Vianet continues to partner with Teesside University's Student Futures to network and advertise roles and offer opportunities for internships. The AIM-listed company has also become an active member of the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

Vianet continues to support a wide range of charities, and has partnered with PAPYRUS to raise awareness and prevent suicide in young people. With employees taking on the Three Peaks Challenges, the company raised over £7,500 for the charity, as well as running a number of smaller charitable events and fundraisers.

The organisation places great value on the wellbeing of its employees, proactively encouraging them to utilise its Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and Mental Health First Aiders. In addition to this, Vianet sends regular wellbeing communications to colleagues and provides access to Resilience and Growth Mindset Training, along with hybrid working opportunities.

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Technology

Moonpig

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Staff have free access to 12 video therapy sessions per year, along with other mental health tools. Initiatives to support the health of employees include a £100 wellbeing allowance to spend on a subscription, such as gym membership — or even Netflix — along with virtual social events, financial wellbeing workshops and resilience training.

Various channels — digital as well as in-person — are used to ensure staff understand Moonpig's vision and strategy, and feel an integral part of what the company is trying to achieve. The annual Strategy Day brings the company's strategic vision to life with activities and keynote speakers from across the business.

Employee-led groups include the LGBTQ+ committee, gender balance committee and the 'Moonpig Against Racism' committee. Staff have also volunteered their skills to help the diversity-in-tech social enterprises, Stemettes and Cajigo, which support young women and non-binary people in tech careers.

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Not For Profit Body's

The Consumer Council

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Since the last survey, the council has sought to provide permanent jobs and rely less on temporary workers via agencies. This has increased the head count by almost 50% in the past 12 months. Staff away-days have also been introduced and the council is seeking to improve communication and engagement.

The Consumer Council invests heavily in learning and development for staff to promote personal and professional growth, as part of its retention strategy. It means an average of £1,500 is spent on each person, per year.

Newsletters covering topics such as health and wellbeing are sent to staff. Directorates and teams have WhatsApp groups to communicate with each other and the council also has all-staff and wider leadership team WhatsApp groups. At a monthly, remote, all-staff meeting, one of the teams gives a presentation on a project it is working on.

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Retail

hampers.com

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As well as raising funds for Aspire Oxford, which supports people in Oxfordshire facing homelessness to find fulfilling employment and safe housing, Hampers.com will be partnering with the charity to help disadvantaged people into work.

Hampers.com ensures that staff have "living the values" as part of their personal objectives. It starts with the leadership team and applies to everyone. Decisions or changes always align with the company's values and are clearly communicated to staff. An "employee of the month" award is given to someone who demonstrates the values.

The benefits package includes top-class private health care, with no excess, so it is accessible to all all, high performance bonuses, awards and discounted gym membership. As the company becomes more profitable, it is looking to enhance the benefits.

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Technology

Stakester

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Stakester wants everyone to know that they are a part of the team from their first day. Whether they're working from home or in house, one-to-one calls with other team members are encouraged, so they can get to know each other.

Staff are allowed unlimited holidays, which can be taken when they like. The company makes an 8% pension contribution and everyone is given a smart watch to help keep them active. There is a budget for training and development of all staff.

In the past 12 months, the company has partnered with Treepoints, a social enterprise that helps businesses to offset their carbon footprint. So far, it has offset 405 tons of CO2, planted 10,530 trees and recycled the equivalent of 8,264 bottles.

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Marketing & Media Agencies

Absolute Digital Media

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Absolute Digital Media is proud that 14% of its staff grew up outside the UK, 29% have a degree, 42% were hired before they turned 21, 55% of senior staff are women, 53% of staff are women and 30% of staff can speak a language other than English, including Russian, Urdu, Polish, Hindi and Greek.

Incentives to ensure staff want to stay with the company are regular team activities, online and in-person, the ability to work from Europe, private healthcare, discounted gym membership, three wellness days, team trips abroad, a free choice of books from Amazon to enhance development and wellbeing and gifts for birthdays and anniversaries.

Teams have detailed training plans, showing where each member is and how they can take their role up a notch. These are reviewed regularly by management, to make sure everyone is on track to achieve the next big goal. Individual interests are respected and staff are given the chance to try new roles.

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What are companies doing with regards to 'My Company'

What affect will focus on the 'My Company' factor have?

Mindful Chef

River Island

Sandicliffe

Ampa

Vianet Group

Moonpig

The Consumer Council

hampers.com

Stakester

Absolute Digital Media

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