Business Background:
A successful company with 600 employees, was under threat, following anonymous whistleblowing concerns regarding the company culture from within the workforce. The reports were not only potentially damaging to the Company’s reputation and could jeopardise important client relationships, but importantly suggested employees did not feel safe in the workplace.
The HR Challenge:
The workforce is made up of workers from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, providing language barriers, differing social norms and with many workers being seasonal, the Company had only short-term relationship with many of the workforce.
How we supported the Client:
We undertook a full cultural health review for the organisation which involved selecting a representative sample of the workforce, and interviewing over 60 employees to identify and analyse potential areas of concern with a 13 point action plan to support the Company over the preceding 12 month period. The outcome of the review and subsequent actions included;
- Reviewing and Updating Policies & Procedures – to ensure full compliance and that they were all fit for purpose
- Training – training of key stakeholders and managers routinely on the effective handling of grievances, as well as reviewing and updating the induction process to raise awareness and knowledge of the fact that there were processes there to protect the staff, and how they should raise complaints if needed.
- Improving Communication methods – the introduction of fortnightly HR drop- in sessions for workers to raise concerns or issues, raising awareness of suggestion and ideas boxes, recognition schemes to help employees feel valued and recognised, English lessons available for those who wish to learn English language to enable stronger communication, a communication newsletter for all workers, training specific managers to take on a Champion role which to serve as a liaison point for staff on specific workforce support areas.
The results;
Within 12 months the action plan was fully implemented and embedded in the organisation. There are now much clearer processes in place to report staff concerns, and awareness amongst the workforce around how they would report concerns. The work has also created an open door culture, where staff feedback reports a feeling that this is a safe, happy environment.
Is your company facing cultural or communication challenges in the workplace?
Our expert HR support can help you create a safer, more inclusive, and engaged workforce. Contact us today to discuss how we can tailor a solution for your business.