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Ten popular policies at work

O ering sta exibility over the
hours they work.
Working from home – increasingly
possibility across many professions,
thanks to advances in cloud computing
and browser-based software ... and if
it’s workable, companies
should be o ering it.

Giving sta
access to social
media at work.
Restricting
PHOTOGRAPHY: AREA WORKPLACE SPECIALISTS ‘Family satisfaction, today’s jobseekers harassment policy – so
access implies
a lack of trust.
A strong anti-
Beyond a good salary and job
employees feel safe and happy when
policies are
where employee happiness is just as
A seat at the table: friendly look for a strong company culture, they come to work.
savvy employers are important as increasing pro ts.
listening to what vital to a Providing sta with a level
sta want from their In practice, this means exi time of autonomy in their work.
work environment diverse and is a given, employee wellbeing –
engaged whether that’s weekly yoga classes or employees’ development and training
Encouraging and supporting
lunchtime walks – is a focal point, and
workforce’
This is the job you’re looking for also make the most of technology strong parental-leave policies, where requirements. Unlimited holiday,
to enable people to work remotely.”
new mums and dads are supported
to take the necessary time o , are an
They also want honesty, clarity and
fair processes, so everyone gets essential part of the fabric of or a minimum of
28 days o
opportunities and is recognised for the company. per year.
Some companies just have says Casey Mead, global PR lead at “We put a lot of time and energy the contribution they make. “Good, A study* has At feedback
found that an o ce
the knack of creating a vibe G Adventures . “Knowing we have the into meeting the personal and positive, open communication is a with plants makes sta platform TruRating, work-life balance
Recognising
freedom to chill out with others in our
professional requirements of our
management
great building block for an inclusive
everyone wants to be a part communal area, or take some space 400-plus UK employees ,” says Adam working culture for all.” happier and boosts focus on creating – that means
At Aisle Eight’s o ce in east
discouraging
of. Suzanne Bearne fi nds in one of the London phone booths or Lupton, HR director at Alphabet . London, they’ve gone to great lengths productivity by a culture of everyone from emailing
egg chairs for a call, makes the o ce a
openness and
“Highly engaged employees
out how they do it great place to be.” are more e ective, more to create a workplace that feels equality. “I don’t outside work hours.
outside work hours.
A strong company culture can be dedicated and more homely and fun . The owners’ two 15% think there is
important in helping productivity and 57% passionate – exactly dachshunds and French bulldog visit anyone who Free gym
membership or
tep inside G Adventures’ creating a happy workforce. With a the sorts of people several times a week, and every Friday would be afraid membership or
lunchtime exercise
lunchtime exercise
S o ce in Clerkenwell, London, table football and ping-pong room of workers said that having our customers want at 5pm a di erent employee of the PR to speak up if they classes – to help
classes – to help
and you may never want to to hang out in, Alphabet’s o ce a best friend in the o ce to deal with . Our agency gets to show o their bottle- thought something keep sta healthy
keep sta healthy
leave. A welcome sign illuminates in Farnborough, Hampshire, has made work more enjoyable * ultimate goal is to juggling skills and whip up cocktails could be done better,” and happy.
visitors’ names as they enter the two of the staple ingredients seen have happy, healthy for their colleagues. says product manager
o ce, and the décor is far from bland in trendy millennials-employing and motivated And it doesn’t end in the o ce, David Atkinson. “We all have Feeding
– Beatles- and royals-themed meeting o ces the world over (about a third employees – it’s a win either – the company splashes out share options too, which creates a them. Whether
them. Whether
it’s as low-key as a bowl of fresh fruit
rooms await. The travel company’s of Alphabet’s employees are under for the business and a on annual summer and Christmas very real sense of ownership .” it’s as low-key as a bowl of fresh fruit
sta get one complementary family 30). But it’s not just the fun stu that win for sta .” away days, exploring cities such Creating a strong company culture on a Monday, or as indulgent as
trip per year, and every Friday draws people in. The mobility and Lydia Fairman, an HR as Barcelona and Amsterdam. “We takes time and e ort, but it’s worth breakfast everyday, complementary
food is always a winner.
employees from all sides of the eet-leasing company has recently and resourcing specialist, wanted to create a culture where our the e ort. Happy sta have been
business are encouraged to hang out introduced an intrapreneur lab, in says today’s workers are team would look forward to coming to found to be 12% more productive
and drink beers in its downstairs which sta can turn their business looking for opportunity, recognition work, and that meant working hard to than unhappy employees, so there’s
meeting room. ideas into a reality, with the help of and inclusivity from an employer. build the right team who all shared the incentive aplenty to create attractive
“The light airy space, bright colours company resources. Since its launch “Family-friendly policies are vital if PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY same vision and had the same work working contracts and an enviable
and happy vibe make the o ce a fun in October, it has seen 110 applications employers want to have a diverse and ethics,” says Aisle Eight co-founder company culture – with or without the
and vibrant place to come to work,” from sta and produced 74 new ideas. * Source: wearewildgoose.com engaged workforce, and they should Lauren Stevenson. * Source: the University ping-pong table.
of Queensland
24 3 February 2018 Be happy! Be happy! 3 February 2018 25