Little touches help employee recognition
Not a day seems to go by without depressing news about the state of the economy. It’s tough; however valuing employees and their contribution can take many forms.
Many businesses have little opportunity to give pay rises, the result of which, is in essence, pay decreases as living costs spiral. But recognition does not always need to be financially orientated. Plus, it is sometimes more cost-effective to offer goods and services instead of cold hard cash, since the latter is taxed and these alternatives can be instrumental in improving employee retention. Some companies have really embraced this philosophy with many successful ones ensuring these additional benefits are exciting and on-brand.
Take fresh and fast-food concept – Sweetgreen – in the US. This company, selling salads and frozen yoghurts, is rapidly evolving into a consumer lifestyle brand. This vibrancy and energy is also reflected internally through their Shades of Green programme. What started as a simple service recognition has become a competitive status symbol among employees. Every team member gets a free shirt, and the longer you’re with Sweetgreen, the darker your shirt. Crazily a free t-shirt is now helping to shape a company culture. This has now been extended to a pair of green Converse sneakers after a year, a neon green Nano Touch after two years, and a lime-green Sweetgreen bike after three.
So, you get the idea, and yes we are talking about a US company, but there are many organisations in the UK that are making strides in this direction. Take a look through the Sunday Times Top 100 Businesses; it is littered with brands who are taking employee benefits to the next level while embracing the essence of their brand. For example, Luminous – the community housing provider – achieved the highest overall factor score in the Leadership category at 85% positive responses. Group Chief Executive Chan Abraham uses every opportunity to interact with employees. He knows everyone by name, personally sends birthday cards and holds regular open breakfast meetings.
Similarly, the British Gas Smile programme demonstrates how the company is working hard to look after the welfare of its staff. The communications, which we developed, are designed to work at every level. Appealing to any individual, whatever their role or interest is outside of work, a suite of Smile characters depict the many scenarios people may find themselves in. Whatever the circumstances, ultimately the programme is focused on the health and wellbeing of employees. Environmental branding and communications works alongside a manager’s toolkit, all of which is topped off with the opportunity for employees to complete an online health survey and receive a Boots discount voucher on completion.
Not to be outdone, here at Avvio we too make sure we provide the little touches. From the weekly fresh fruit bowls, biscuits and cakes galore, to a wide range of cereals to help yourself to and nibble, when energy levels are low. There are also the monthly social events including cinema trips, fundraising quiz nights and regular parties just because it’s good to get together. We believe the little touches to engage employees can and do, make a difference and don’t have to cost a fortune to implement, they just require a little thought and effort.
Blog Posted by: Rachel. on 13/10/2011
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