The ESS team were delighted to win the People and Training Award at the recent Foodservice Cateys. The award recognised an innovative approach to the company’s most valuable asset – its people. The submission covered a variety of initiatives, including:
Supporting the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Colleagues
- New initiatives including an HSE culture change programme, mental health first aider training, health MOTs and mindful moments toolbox talks for teams
- Resources including wellness action plans, free subscription membership for the ilumen™ wellness application and healthier mind collateral and webinars
- Facilities such as wellness rooms and gardens
Improving Access to Work
- Collaboration with organisations such as Tower Project, Foxes Academy and Shaw Trust to empower people with disabilities to gain greater independence and give a wider range of candidates access to roles within the business
Addressing Staff / Skills Shortages
- Engagement with local schools to encourage young people to consider roles in the industry, as well as the provision of careers advice and information for college and university students
- Proactively promoting apprenticeships within the business, with 93 colleagues currently studying and a further 98 successfully completing qualifications in the last three years
Championing Diversity & Inclusion
- Playing an active role in Compass’ D&I networks, including six ESS directors volunteering for the company’s first ‘Reverse Mentoring’ programme to create a shared understanding of the barriers, challenges and opportunities for colleagues from ethnic minority groups
Enhancing Customer Wellbeing
- Delivery of health and wellbeing workshops to customers and participation in client health fairs and events
- Production of publicly available content to promote health and wellbeing across multiple channels, including a monthly newsletter and webinars available at YouTube-WeAreESS
