NEWS
Firms urged ‘ it ’ s time to care ’
So how are your staff feeling post- Covid ? No - really ? If you don ’ t know , it makes good business sense to find out , as well as morally being the right thing to do .
And to help , a Teesside firm ’ s wellbeing assessment tool can accurately gauge employees ’ emotions .
Middlesbrough-based Key Wellbeing was formed by Teessiders Marie Ranson and Melissa Armstrong to help organisations to look after their employees ’ physical and emotional wellbeing .
And with anxiety at an all-time high for employees as they prepare to return to work or to the workplace , they say it ’ s crucial organisations listen to the needs of their staff as we move into the ‘ next normal ’.
Marie said : “ The last 18 months have affected everybody , albeit in different ways and companies need to be aware of that and be able to support their people to get back to being happy , healthy and productive at work .”
Their wellbeing assessment tool , she said , means firms aren ’ t just guessing what their people want and need . Melissa added :
Time to care - Key Wellbeing founders Marie Ranson , left , and Melissa Armstrong .
“ The survey is completed anonymously – meaning that staff can speak openly and honestly about how they are really feeling rather than it being an internal one where people assume their responses are being tracked . People are more likely to be open and to voice their feelings and opinions with an external provider .
“ By rolling out an employee wellbeing assessment , companies are seen to be supporting their staff and taking the time to listen to their concerns . In addition , the data can give organisations the early insights that they need to make the right investment when it comes to their
employee wellbeing strategy .”
And the wellbeing tool is the latest innovative service from a firm launched just before the pandemic , but which has used the experience of the past 18 months to grow and learn .
Marie smiled : “ We ’ re rolling with an everchanging world .
“ Wellbeing used to be thought of as a ‘ nice to have ’. But if a firm decides to invest in a wellbeing strategy , they are going to get a good return in so many ways , it ’ s a ‘ win-win ’ for both employer and employee .” Visit keywellbeing . co . uk
Versatile Coatham adapts to survive and thrive !
When the Covid pandemic struck , we all said goodbye to the freedom to travel .
But what did that mean for businesses that make their living helping us get around ? Well , Saltburn-based Coatham Coaches wasted no time in finding new needs for its fleet .
Deprived of its usual income , it stepped in to deliver free school meals , drive buses for key workers and even repatriated stranded airline passengers . And the result ? “ We ’ ve just had our accounts for 2020 / 21 back and have seen sales grow by 25 per cent in a year when our operations were restricted ,” said managing director Mark Hodgson .
Most importantly , staff looked to the future , using the time to work on plans to make the business stronger when they came out of the other side .
“ We will celebrate our 40th year of operation next year ,” said Mark . “ With a strong family ethic , we hope Coatham ’ s name is synonymous with quality and worry-free travel , and we want to build on that as travel restrictions ease .
“ Now is the time to think about safe staff travel as you get your workforce back to the office . If you ’ re travelling to a function or a training event , is it safer to book a coach and keep your work bubbles intact ?
“ Your staff are usually your most valuable asset . Coatham can provide the expertise to help firms navigate safe ways to travel .”
As clean air zones are introduced across the UK and companies try to meet ever-stricter green credentials , Coatham is perfectly placed to service Teesside ’ s transport needs .
“ Coach travel can have huge benefits for the environmental impact of your business travel ,” said Mark .
“ We have invested nearly £ 2m over the last five years in coaches with clean
Coatham Coaches provided Covid-safe transfers for shipping crew at Able Seaton Port .
emissions .
“ We are proud to count some of Teesside ’ s most prestigious companies as clients . We help PD Ports with visitor site visits , Anglo American with staff shuttles , Active Financials with corporate travel and Yarm School with home-toschool transport .
“ They trust us to deliver the highest standards . From executive cars and mini-coaches to high-capacity accessible coaches , we can provide it all .”
Call 01287 652222 or visit coathamcoaches . co . uk
112 | Tees Business