Inside this edition:
How inclusive is your business? | Boost your team’s performance and morale | Tunbridge Wells Business Awards | Creating a happy workplace
How inclusive is your business?
Inclusion isn’t a trend; it’s the catalyst for innovation, creativity and high engagement in your business, shaping a distinctive brand.
But when inclusion becomes performative and your actions don’t match your words, your teams will definitely notice.
That’s why measuring inclusion is crucial—it holds business owners accountable and ensures we’re truly walking the walk.
Let’s explore what inclusion means, why it should be woven into the fabric of your business and how you can measure and amplify it.
🗣️1 – Employee voice
Use pulse surveys and employee engagement tools to understand what your employees think inclusion means and if you’re getting it right. Don’t forget, inclusion is different for everyone.
🕵🏾2 – Qualitative insights
Focus groups and interviews will provide a deep dive into employee experiences and get beneath the surface of any nuanced challenges, like employees experiencing menopause, and the support they need.
📖3 – Lived experiences
Take time to compare the experiences of marginalised groups with those in the majority. You’ll understand any differences or disparities, develop targeted inclusion strategies and prevent disengagement.
🛜4 – Employee-led groups
Tap into your Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and internal networks! They provide invaluable insights to gauge the effectiveness of your inclusion efforts and drive meaningful change in your business.
📦5 – People issues
Stay vigilant when it comes to your HR issues. Monitor trends in areas like bullying and discrimination, then take swift action to address them.
Learn how to measure the impact of your inclusivity efforts with our latest guide. Explore everything you need to know HERE.
Want to supercharge your team’s performance and boost morale?
As we enter the final quarter of the year are you on target to hit your business goals for 2024?
At this time of the year, it is a great idea to review performance and talk to your team about where you need them to focus their efforts for the remainder of 2024.
So how do you supercharge your team’s performance and boost morale? Feedback is your secret weapon!
Not only does it enhance performance and show appreciation, but it also fosters a culture where everyone feels valued and invested in.
Regular, clear feedback builds trust and aligns responsibilities and expectations.
Ready to master the art of effective feedback? Check out these five tips:
1. Check in: Create a culture where feedback is a tool for growth, not criticism. Encourage your team to see feedback as a positive development opportunity.
2. Be respectful: Hold feedback sessions privately in a comfortable setting. This encourages open, honest dialogue, without fear of embarrassment or judgement.
3. Stay goal-oriented: Focus on achievements and actionable steps for improvement. Avoid personal critiques and keep it constructive.
4. Mix it up: Balance constructive feedback with praise. Start by acknowledging successes, discuss areas for improvement, then finish with positive reinforcement to motivate.
5. Celebrate wins: Recognise progress consistently to keep momentum going and drive continuous improvement.
Implement these tips to build a supportive feedback culture that helps your team to shine!
Need help perfecting your feedback approach? Get in touch for expert advice today!
59% of employees can’t last 30 minutes without getting side-tracked by something non-work related, like their phone or a chatty colleague, making focus a challenge. Employers can play a crucial role by spotting workplace distractions, setting boundaries and creating a culture where people can thrive without being distracted.
Celebrating the best of Tunbridge Wells
The Tunbridge Wells Business Awards from the TN card celebrates the best of the Tunbridge Wells business community, honouring the successes and achievements of the businesses and people in the town.
We are extremely proud to be sponsoring the Best New Business award recognising start-up businesses operating for less than two years in any sector.
We are joined by a number of other local businesses who have sponsored awards across various sectors and from small to large businesses together with an Employer award and Business Person of the Year award. For further details of the award categories and how to nominate your business take a look here. Award entries open on 9th September 2024.
The awards take place at Trinity theatre in Tunbridge Wells on 26th November. We can’t wait to attend and look forward to seeing lots of local businesses at the event to celebrate their achievements.
How to create happy workplaces
We spend a massive chunk of our lives at work. When it’s all work and no play, we get bored, frustrated and disengaged. But when work sparks joy, it spills over into everything else…
As a business owner, keeping your team cheerful should be at the top of your priority list.
The business benefits? They’ll put a smile on your face, too.
According to the University of Warwick, happiness boosts productivity by around 12%, helping teams work smarter without sacrificing quality.
Happy employees are also more involved, productive, cooperative, creative AND innovative. They’re less likely to call in sick or burn out.
It’s no wonder there’s a National Week of Happiness with a rallying cry for workplaces to make happiness the norm, not the exception.
So, how can you create a happy workplace? By focusing on meaningful work, stellar management, strong relationships, growth opportunities and – yes – fun!
Here’s some top tips:
• Build an inclusive culture: Hire employees who vibe with your company’s values and train managers to foster belonging and respect.
• Recognise and appreciate: Regularly thank and reward your team to boost morale and value. A simple ‘great job’ can go a long way.
• Nurture friendships: Tech has made connecting easier but can leave us lonely. Build a work community where meaningful relationships thrive through social breaks, collaborative spaces and shared goals.
• Promote work-life balance: Offer flexibility, like later starts, early finish Fridays and dynamic work options, for a happy, high-performing crew.
Curious for more happiness hacks? Get in touch for a friendly chat and let’s spread the joy together!
Can employees be suspended if they are arrested?
What should I do if my employee has a backlog of annual leave to take before the end of the holiday year?
Do I need a probationary period?
Possibly, but it depends on whether the incident happened at work or off-site. Suspension shouldn’t be automatic. Consider the allegations, the impact it may have on colleagues and your business, and any safety concerns. Seek ACAS and legal advice for clarity.
They can carry over some of their statutory 5.6 weeks’ holiday entitlement, if your policies allow, if they’re on long-term sick leave or if you didn’t let them take all their entitlement. If they’re on statutory leave, like maternity leave, they can carry it all over.
There’s no legal requirement, but it can protect your financial and business interests. It helps you assess whether your new hire is right for the job – and if it’s right for them – and you can set a shorter notice period.
