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*
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If staff at Business West don't know which direction to turn they know they can ask their bosses for guidance.
Managing director Phil Smith posts weekly thought-provoking updates on work and what's going on in the world offering support and encouragement to his workforce.
Business West is a not-for-profit organisation working with 21,000 businesses to help them start and grow as well as lobby government on their behalf with profits reinvested back into the business. Formed nearly 200 years ago as Bristol Chamber of Commerce Industry and Shipping, it supports business communities in Bath, Swindon, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
As an organisation, Business West tries to follow its own good advice providing an environment where staff can balance work and life and are engaged in the business. Employees are encouraged to shadow colleagues in teams across the organisation and take part in volunteering days for staff to go out into the communities they operate in.
The medium-size organisation has kept a close eye on how its staff has coped throughout the various lockdowns through pulse surveys, online staff meetings and regular communication.
The Executive team has led from the front on encouraging flexible working, posting pictures of themselves taking breaks to encourage others to do the same.
Business West provided additional IT for those who needed it and made stationary deliveries to homes. It also introduced a working from home allowance and has awarded a number of ad hoc bonuses to staff who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
My team is fun to work with
Departments arrange virtual team meetings on a regular basis and staff have taken part in a range of online social activities. These included coffee mornings, photo competitions and the annual Christmas party which featured various breakout rooms including a quiz, craft workshops, a film and a virtual escape room.
I am happy with the balance between my work and home life
The organisation has three trained mental health first aiders and all employees have access to the meditation and mindfulness Headspace app. Staff are encouraged to speak with their line managers regularly and let them know of any problems working from home.
This organisation has a strong social conscience
The organisation has used thermal imaging equipment on its buildings to pinpoint areas of heat lost to maximise the efficiency of any improvement works. Eco-friendly initiatives range from a beehives project to using only fair-trade or rainforest alliance certified coffee and it has switched to reusable glass milk bottles.
My team is fun to work with
Departments arrange virtual team meetings on a regular basis and staff have taken part in a range of online social activities. These included coffee mornings, photo competitions and the annual Christmas party which featured various breakout rooms including a quiz, craft workshops, a film and a virtual escape room.
I am happy with the balance between my work and home life
The organisation has three trained mental health first aiders and all employees have access to the meditation and mindfulness Headspace app. Staff are encouraged to speak with their line managers regularly and let them know of any problems working from home.
My team is fun to work with
Departments arrange virtual team meetings on a regular basis and staff have taken part in a range of online social activities. These included coffee mornings, photo competitions and the annual Christmas party which featured various breakout rooms including a quiz, craft workshops, a film and a virtual escape room.
Phil Smith, Managing Director - Business West
Companies where at least 40% of the staff have worked there for more than five years.
If you like what you see here and would like to know more about working for a
1 Star
organisation, simply click the link for further information about careers with
Business West
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