Features / Happiest Workplace Awards
Bristol’s happiest workplaces 2018
A focus on staff wellbeing has reaped rewards for the companies named as Bristol’s Happiest Workplaces for 2018.
Now in its fourth year, the competition run by interior design consultancy Wylde IA recognises the businesses that put their employees first.
Marketing agency Noisy Little Monkey, internal communications experts HOME and Icon Films each scooped an award for happiest small, medium and large workplace respectively.
Commending the 2018 entrants, director of Wylde IA Maxine Bennett said: “Yet again the standard of entries has far exceeded our expectations.
“Bristol is full of exciting, vibrant companies prioritising staff happiness and wellbeing, which is wonderful to see.
“This year, in particular, we’ve seen a genuine emphasis on mental health awareness and support running alongside the more typical rewards, benefits and work-life balance focus.”
Noisy Little Monkey was praised for its positive, open culture of talking about mental health
Noisy Little Monkey, based in the Tobacco Factory, impressed judges with its holistic management style and culture in which all staff are respected and encouraged to voice ideas and opinions.
The company was praised for its positive, open culture of talking about mental health.
Accepting the award, Nicola Payne, of Noisy Little Monkey said: “Happiness, resilience and good mental health are critical to any creative agency, so it’s fabulous to be recognised for the balance we are trying to achieve.”
HOME employees benefit from massages and fresh fruit
Based in the Unicorn Business Park on Whitby Road, HOME’s modern workspace within a converted warehouse, as well as the weekly staff lunch, personal development fund of £750, healthcare, seated massages and fresh fruit helped the company secure the title.
Icon Films (main photo), on College Green, won Bristol’s large Happiest Workplace award thanks to “its creative and nurturing space with a library, garden and areas full of incredible artwork”.
The company lays on frequent ‘lunch and learn’ sessions, mentoring programmes, mindfulness classes and an employee assistance programme, with free advice and counselling.
Employees enjoy free fruit, health checks, yoga classes, posture checks, self-defence classes and a quarterly desk-based massage.
“We are delighted to have won this award,” said Tracy Patfield, operations and outreach manager for Icon Films.
“Icon Films works hard to create a happy and healthy environment for people to do their best work in.
“Working in the media provides many challenges and we want to provide a supportive and nurturing atmosphere for our team. With this latest accolade, and being named as one of the top 20 places to work in TV, we are very proud to play a part in attracting people to work in this fantastic city.”
Furniture companies Allermuir and Senator Group and iconic lamp manufacturer Anglepoise supported this year’s competition, donated prizes for the winners and helped with the judging process.
Winners of Bristols Happiest Workplaces competition 2018
Read more: Sector spotlight: team building
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