Independent waste management business Cawleys has invested in a variety of voluntary benefits to create a working environment that inspires, motivates and supports its employees.
The organisation, which employs more than 220 staff, believes its success begins and ends with its people, which is why it has introduced voluntary initiatives to help improve their wellbeing and work-life balance.
These include discounts and cash back from high street stores via its Waste Not Want Not benefits portal provided by Reward Gateway, which also provides an online wellbeing area with fitness and health information.
Its voluntary benefits provision is supported by a wide range of employer-funded benefits, including reduced working hours for all staff by 2.5 hours per week, with no financial impact, and an increased number of mental health first aiders from two to 11, who identify and support employees facing mental health challenges.
Meanwhile, its range of financial-based bonus schemes differ depending on job roles, with some paid annually based on agreed key performance indicators (KPIs) and the firm’s performance, and others paid quarterly based on KPIs and attendance. The organisation also offers celebratory e-cards, thank-you awards for which all staff can nominate colleagues for monthly prizes such as £50 cash payments, additional Christmas rewards that are administered as credit on the employee portal, and long service awards.
Kirsty Dwan, HR manager at Cawleys, says: “We additionally voluntarily pay staff at least the living wage to provide financial security to cope with rising costs. We also have an employee recognition programme, a recruitment referral scheme where staff can receive £500 for a successful referral, and recognition awards based on behaviours that represent employer values.”
Cawleys operates an open-door policy and makes sure that all staff aware they can talk to their manager or the HR team at any time regarding specific challenges. It has also established two-way communication channels using regular business updates, meetings and its employee portal, which are all used to promote the benefits offered. The firm also promotes voluntary benefits during an induction for new joiners.
“More than 80% of our employees access the high street store discounts and cash back via the reward and recognition portal, which provides an average monthly saving of £26 per person,” says Dwan. “Last year, nearly 70% received recognition through the value recognition programme, earning a monetary award ranging from £50 to £200.”