The pandemic sparked Huddersfield-based public relations and social media agency KC Communications to reassess its employee benefits package as it sought to adapt to the new normal.
"When the pandemic came and we all had to start working from home, it got cogs ticking in our heads about what employees want from us as a company, as well as what we need from them in terms of output and productivity," says operations and talent manager Lana Eardley (pictured, second from right).
The business decided to adapt its previous training budget into a ‘Best You' budget, which saw each member of staff awarded a pot of money, to the value of £1,250, to identify and develop new skills to help them be the best they can, which could include mental health support or assistance with healthy eating.
"It could be anything from a monthly massage to healthy food boxes delivered to their house or a formal course," says Eardley, who has used her own budget to help cover the fees for a Masters degree.
"We have had people enrol on to professional courses, buying books or signing up to podcast subscriptions, or joining a gym."
With a young demographic, the firm also decided to push the importance of savings and pensions to the workforce, and has invited a client to present to staff on this topic. Eardley adds: "It is delivering the message that the earlier you start, the more you'll have for later life."
The firm also decided to continue a private healthcare policy with Vitality offered to all staff which was in place before the pandemic.
"We want to ensure that employee wellbeing is tip-top," says Eardley.
"At the start we didn't know whether we'd still be here as a business but we've had some really good results, and it is important to pay back employees."
