Ten great workplace practices

1. Chatter Jams – D& B

Chatter is a global D&B online system where team members can post relevant updates and have lively discussions about work-related topics.

D&B has held a number of ‘Chatter Jams’ hosted by their global leadership team. Team members said they felt senior leaders were hearing their voices and actively looking for their opinions.

2. Employee Twitter Feed – SAP

SAP put a Twitter feed on its careers page that connects directly with employee Twitter accounts. A global network of employees tweet daily about their jobs, vacancies and other information relevant to their roles. It’s a great way for prospective employees to communicate with staff they may work with some day.

3.Networking Events – PepsiCo

PepsiCo is an example of a company that recognises the importance of networking - an important part of any organisation’s success and an essential practice for staff who want to raise their profiles and make important connections. PepisCo’s most recent networking event covered topics such as “how to identify the key people you need in your circle of success” and “how to craft your own story – designing and delivering your ‘elevator pitch’”.

4. Maternity Coaching – Diageo

Diageo has started a programme to tackle the issue of career disruption linked to maternity leave. This confidential virtual programme helps women prepare for maternity leave and then re-integrate back into work afterwards . It also helps them develop skills to manage both family and career after a year back at work.

5. TY Ambassador Program - Intel

This programme was launched as part of Intel’s Online Safety for Kids programme during 2014. This involves working with transition year students, explaining what can be done to make time spent online safe and training them on the primary school presentation. These students then, in turn, will take this knowledge and present it to students in primary school, helping spread the message of keeping safe online.

6. Global Business Services Graduate Leadership Programme – EMC Ireland

The GBS Graduate Leadership programme is a 24-month programme designed to provide graduates with a broad experience across the organisation with assessment based on a university modular approach. The graduates work in different parts of the organisation for five-month stints over a two-year period.

7. R&R Café – Vodafone Ireland

Vodafone Ireland has a “Reward & Recognition Menu” available in its R&R Café. This means they can quickly recognise and thank staff members for their contribution at any time. There is something for everyone from light and tasty starters such as a digital thank-you, meaty delicious main courses (such as an extra half-day annual leave) and sweet desserts (such as lunch vouchers). It is designed in such a way that everyone is empowered, not just managers, to thank and recognise fellow team members and colleagues.

8. Tea Trolley – Whirlpool

Last year, Whirlpool rolled out its Tea Trolley initiative. This involves managers visiting employees’ desks every month to serve tea/coffee and snacks. When the European senior leadership visit, they too are expected to serve the tea. Feedback is positive, with employees getting the opportunity to meet senior figures in an informal way and ask questions or raise issues which are of concern.

9. Voice Box – Topaz

An ideas team operates across the business, reviewing and supporting the implementation of ideas submitted by employees through their Voice Box dedicated website. The programme is open to the company’s 1,500 staff and ideas can include anything from how to improve the customer experience to how to drive sales and make money.

10. Nominate2Celebrate – Aura Leisure Group

Nominate2Celebrate is an online voting awards where customers nominate staff members through the website. Goodwill stories are shared with the entire Aura Leisure Group and with customers through Facebook and the best are shortlisted on a quarterly basis for the award.