Innocent Drinks’ was founded by three university graduates in 1999, Richard Reed, Adam Balon and Jon Wright. The business provides smoothies and juice and is sold in various coffee shops and other outlets around the world.
Innocent Drinks’ workplace culture embraces healthy living, an approach that it integrates with its reward and benefits package. After being crowned Employer of the Year at the National Business Awards the company prides itself on having happy employees that are well looked after.
Mental Health Support
Innocent Drinks’ have long been an advocate for workplace wellbeing and mental health-related issues. Innocent say they understand that mental health problems and stress can affect anyone.
The company aims to create a work environment that supports mental health and enables people to support their team too. Innocent say they understand that everyone’s circumstances are different, which is why they pledge that the individual’s mental health needs will always matter to them.
“We believe that no stigma should be attached to mental health”
Innocent say they are doing a huge push to promote mental health, mindfulness and a healthy workplace.
The smoothie company runs ‘The People Clinic’ every week which is a drop-in centre where employees can get practical, confidential help for any issues in their work or personal lives. During the Coronavirus pandemic and with staff working from home, the company created the ‘Innocent guide to eternal meeting happiness’, which looks to ensure staff have the best meeting experience possible.
Scholarships
Another way Innocent gives back to employees is by offering scholarships every few years. The company gives three scholarships which consist of £1,000 to help employees ‘do something they’ve always dreamed of’. Previous winners of the prize have used the money to travel to India to support the Irula Tribal Women’s Welfare Society which was funded by the Innocent Foundation. The idea behind the scholarships is Innocents’ employees get the opportunity to volunteer and develop their skills whilst learning and travelling.
Recognition for wellbeing commitment
Due to the success of Innocent Drinks’ wellbeing commitment and workplace culture, the company has been awarded third place position in the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For in 2018.
Innocent’s CEO Douglas Lamont says the company treats its employees like it does customers and ‘markets’ the business to an employees’ particular needs just as it would to particular consumer groups. Lamont says that treating employees like customers is an innovative way to increase profitability without increasing costs.
Reward and Recognition
It’s a well-known fact people like to feel valued at work, by recognising employee achievements and rewarding performance, businesses can boost loyalty and make their workforces more retention friendly.
A study from Each Person found that when asked what would make them feel more valued in the workplace, 51% of employees said a simple thank you. Here at Each Person, we believe that rewards and recognition is key to happy and motivated employees.
Small gestures and perks at work can make a huge difference in the way people feel about themselves and their efforts. Businesses may introduce rewards such as Ecards and employee vouchers for employees as a way to say thank you for your hard work.
We wanted to do a series of articles on companies that do employee recognition right. Get in touch if you know of a company that deserves the limelight.
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