How to cultivate a safety-first culture

How to cultivate a safety-first culture

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

How to sustain a safety-first culture across large organisations

Safe and healthy work environments are essential for our wellbeing. When we feel physically and psychologically safe at work, we are more likely to feel engaged, motivated and can thrive in our roles.

To maintain a safe workplace, businesses need to ensure that employees always keep health & safety guidance front of mind. Yet it can be difficult to ensure that more educational, safety-focused messaging cuts through the noise of other internal comms, especially across large organisations.

It’s also important that health & safety communications are inclusive to ensure that the message reaches every person in the organisation. Businesses need to use plain, accessible language that is easy to understand, but still be able to engage the audience.

To understand how to strike the balance in your safety comms, here’s how we approached our award-winning health & safety campaign for DHL Supply Chain.

Case study: Motivating DHL Supply Chain employees to put safety first

Located across 60 countries with diverse languages and cultures, DHL Supply Chain were keen to elevate and standardise health & safety across their business – to make sure it was as important as other key initiatives.

They wanted to find a way to foster safe behaviours, responsibility and adherence to best practices across all countries, cultures, and languages.

We were tasked with refreshing their messaging around health & safety, emphasising that safety is a collective responsibility involving all employees. They needed a global standardized framework, messaging and toolkit for communications, to better support their safety-first culture.

So, how did we motivate employees to put safety first for themselves and each other?

1. Kept it simple

To work across 60 countries, we needed an idea that was simple, memorable, culturally appropriate and easy to understand.

2. Got hands on

We developed “Our Safety is in Our Hands” to convey that all employees are accountable for their own safety and that of their colleagues.

3. World Safety Day launch

We created reference pocket guides, a concise explainer video, warehouse posters, and assets for an internal app to spread the message across the workforce.

4. Monthly focus

To fully embed the message, we rolled out a 12-month campaign focusing on a different health & safety element each month – including topics such as wellbeing and mental health, personal safety, and transport safety.

As a result of the campaign, DHL Supply Chain observed a significant cultural shift which has led to improved health & safety practices right across their business.

Let’s talk about elevating health & safety comms and putting wellbeing first at your workplace.

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What is the role of communicators in attracting women to male-dominated industries?

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

When one gender clearly dominates a business or sector, it means a loss of valuable skills, perspectives, and ideas. So, what can communicators do to promote gender diversity?

At Something Big, we have lots of experience working within industries that are typically male-dominated, like logistics, engineering, construction, finance and tech. To start a dialogue and share insights across businesses and sectors we brought together HR, Diversity, and Internal Comms leaders for a meaningful discussion on how to attract women into traditionally male-dominated sectors and drive a better gender balance. In this article, we’ll share the insights gathered and the actionable takeaways you can use to enrich your DEI toolkit.

Are we bridging the gender gap?

There are many industries that are male or female-dominated. For example, within the construction industry, 15% of the workforce is female, with just 2% of on-site workers being female. In contrast, some industries are predominately female, with just 2.22% of nursery nurses and assistants being male. A quick glance at the statistics reveals a stark gender imbalance across various sectors.

But the big question is, are we making any progress in this area? When looking at early careers, internships, and apprenticeships, a report by the Young Women’s Trust showed that in key sectors such as engineering, men outnumber women 25 to one. This glaring inequality emphasises the need for change.

What can communicators do to attract women to male-dominated industries?

During our discussion, we identified multiple ways that communicators can drive change and address gender imbalance in the workplace.

During the recruitment process:

  • Ensure that gender-biased language is removed from job ads. You can use AI tools or dedicated gendered language decoders to help you identify any subtle bias in job ads.
  • Simplify technical jargon in job descriptions to better welcome new people to your industry.
  • Listen to the experiences of women within your business to find out why they like working there and use that insight to understand what could attract new employees.
  • Use diverse advertising channels to reach new audiences. Within our discussion group, both Mosques and school newsletters were identified as channels for reaching new audiences.
  • Have diverse and inclusive imagery in your recruitment materials, while ensuring your photography is representative of your workplace and culture.

Within workplace culture:

  • Recognise that the workplace can still be a challenging environment for women. 61% of Gen Z’s and 49% of Millennials believe they’ve been harassed in the workplace in the last 12 months, including physical advances, inappropriate emails, exclusion and gender-based undermining.
  • Implement safe avenues for employees to speak up and seek help about any negative experiences.
  • Develop a culture of allyship and consider training all team members on the 5Ds of active bystander intervention – Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct.
  • Consider the language that is used within your business. It’s common to hear things like ‘working mums’ and ‘women in business’, and often these are meant in a well-meaning way, but we never hear about ‘working dads’ or ‘men in business’.
  • Properly fund, support and empower employee resource groups (ERGs) to ensure your employees have a voice. This will enable you to get to the crux of what’s working, and what’s not.

Employee communications:

  • Avoid empty communications or empty promises by ensuring your communications align with your actions. Employees are quick to spot inconsistencies, and empty promises can lead to a loss of trust.
  • Effective communication is not one-size-fits-all. Tailor your messages to reach employees at the right time with the right information. Avoid sending blanket messages that may make it difficult for employees to access the specific information they need.

Policies and processes:

  • Scrutinize your policies and processes to identify any unnecessary barriers that hinder the hiring and retention of female talent. An example shared during our discussions was a company writing into the contract of an autistic worker that they did not need to answer the phone, making the role accessible without affecting performance.
  • In the UK, men spend about 16 hours a week on unpaid tasks like taking care of children and cleaning, whereas women dedicate 26 hours a week to these responsibilities. Businesses could consider revising some policies to better support men and women in achieving a work-life balance. For example, in Norway fathers are entitled to 15 weeks of non-transferable parental leave, designed to foster a more equal split of childcare responsibilities. Whilst this might not be the regulations within your country, that doesn’t mean organisations can’t support changes like this.

Leading the charge in attracting women to male-dominated industries

In the journey toward creating more gender-diverse workplaces, it’s essential to acknowledge and support the organisations and individuals who are already pioneering change. Here are some organisations that may be relevant to your sector:

As a final point within our discussion group, we underscored the advantages of cultivating a growth mindset and exchanged recommendations for three insightful books to help develop our thinking and understanding: “Lift as I Climb,” “Invisible Women,” and “Lean In.”

By adopting clear communication, shifting cultural norms, and embracing a diverse and inclusive workplace, businesses can create environments that support all employees. This not only fosters gender diversity but also contributes to a more inclusive, caring, and productive work environment for everyone.

If you’re looking for a partner agency to help make your workplace fairer, healthier and happier, then we’d love to hear from you.

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Employee Wellbeing Calendar 2024

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

Download your free Employee Wellbeing Awareness Days Calendar for 2024.

Stay committed to your employees’ health and wellbeing in 2024 with our free downloadable calendar that highlights key health and wellbeing dates and events.

Engaging your employees and delivering important health and wellbeing communications is not something you can just tick off the list once a year, nor is it something to pick up when your culture, productivity or morale seem a bit low.

With healthy employees 59% more likely to be engaged at work, we believe that employee wellbeing,
including physical and mental health, should be a prioritised, ongoing commitment for all
businesses.

How can our calendar help you?

  • Helps you plan your employee wellbeing programmes for 2024.
  • Includes key health and wellbeing celebration and awareness dates throughout the year to
    keep your business on track.
  • Top tips for starting important conversations about health and wellbeing with your
    employees – including encouraging healthier behaviours and breaking down stigmas – to
    help you make the most of these events.

If you find this calendar useful, then check out our Diversity and Inclusion Calendar and Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Calendar.

If you’re looking for a partner agency to help you roll out your employee health and wellbeing programmes, we’d love to hear from you.

Download our Employee Wellbeing calendar



Diversity and Inclusion Calendar 2024

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

Download your free Diversity and Inclusion Awareness Days Calendar for 2024.

Never miss an important date in 2024 with our free downloadable calendar that includes key
diversity and inclusion awareness dates and events.

Nurturing a true sense of belonging among your employees isn’t a short-term objective – it’s an
ongoing commitment to ensuring that everyone in your workforce feels heard, respected and
valued. And with 65% of employees wanting to feel a strong sense of belonging at work, now is the time to ensure your business is aware of diversity and
inclusion days that matter to your employees.

How can our calendar help you?

  • Helps keep your diversity and inclusion employee engagement programmes on track.
  • Includes a wide range of cultural, racial, religious, age, gender, sexual orientation and
    disability awareness dates.
  • Top tips for opening up and developing important conversations to help you make the
    most of these events

If you find this calendar useful, then check out our Employee Health and Wellbeing Calendar and Sustainability and Environmental Awareness Calendar.

If you’re looking for support in rolling out your diversity and inclusion programmes, get in touch to see how we can help.

Download our Diversity and Inclusion calendar



Why businesses should do more to support employees with cancer

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

It’s time for businesses to step up, show compassion, and enable a culture of understanding and support employees with cancer.

In today’s world, businesses exist for more than profit alone. They can be integral parts of our communities and influence lives way beyond the boardroom.

However, one crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the support for employees facing significant health challenges – especially those working with cancer. We believe businesses can do more, and should do more. It’s time for businesses to step up, show compassion, and enable a culture of understanding and support.

Working with cancer: the facts

The business case for better employee support

It goes without saying that supporting your employees through significant life events, such as cancer, is the right thing to do. But there are some other more business-specific reasons too.

Improved employee culture

By encouraging a culture of understanding and support, employees will feel safer, more valued and genuinely cared for by their employer.

Reduced absenteeism and presenteeism

Businesses that help employees manage their health effectively can reduce the likelihood of extended absences or reduced productivity due to ill health.

Retain talent

Employees are more likely to stay with businesses that are able to demonstrate a real commitment to their wellbeing.

Better employee engagement

By ensuring employees feel supported during challenging times, they are likely to be more engaged and motivated in their work.

An inclusive workplace environment

By supporting employees with cancer, it sends the message that employees of all backgrounds and health statuses are valued and respected.

Industry benchmark

Businesses that prioritise employee well-being are setting a benchmark for industry standards, encouraging other companies to follow suit, and ultimately creating better corporate environments for everyone. 

What can your business do?

In the corporate world, empathy has often taken a backseat to productivity. But in recent times, more businesses are prioritising the wellbeing of their workforce and stepping up to support employees beyond their paycheck.

Here are a few things that can be offered to help employees feel supported through their diagnosis and treatment.

Provide flexible work arrangements

It’s become clear in recent years that accessible flexible working can be a game-changer to help ease the burden on employees. By allowing employees undergoing treatment to adjust their work patterns or work remotely, employers can provide much needed security and flexibility to juggle work and health more easily.

Ensure you have a cancer policy

Helping employees understand what support they can expect and how their pay will be impacted will reassure them during an emotional time. You could also take the #WorkingWithCancer pledge as an external commitment of your support to employees with cancer.

Support employees through Employee Assistance Programmes

Undergoing cancer treatment is a unique experience for each and every person. By offering a range of programmes, such as counselling, access to resource networks and talking services, you can help employees feel cared for on their own journey.

Transparent communication and employee education

Open and honest communication is the foundation of a supportive workplace culture. Clear signposting to policy documents and transparent information about available benefits, resources and support, can help employees navigate an incredibly emotional time. Employee education and engagement can further raise awareness and help create a culture of empathy amongst colleagues.

Build a community of care

Beyond policies and programmes, it’s vital for businesses to foster a community of care. Often employee communities in large organisations can offer the opportunity to connect with others undergoing similar treatments or diagnoses.

This can be achieved through maintaining an open dialogue about cancer, organising support groups, or arranging group awareness activities. Demonstrating solidarity will help employees feel like they still belong whilst undergoing treatment.

Don’t forget mental health

Cancer patients can often feel a sense of abandonment and grief once access to their hospital team and treatment has ended. By focusing on mental health, you can help employees manage ongoing physical and psychological challenges on return to the workplace.

What role can communications play?

Communication teams have a key role in helping create a supportive and empathetic work environment for employees facing long-term illness. Here are some ways that comms teams can meaningfully support employees living and working with cancer.

Open and accessible resources

  • Establish and communicate clear channels for employees to talk about their health and any related concerns. This could include regular check-ins or confidential hotlines.
  • Develop a comprehensive and accessible guide that provides information about available benefits, policies and other relevant resources. This could also cover employee rights regarding privacy and disclosure, as well as advice for communicating with supervisors and colleagues.

Managers’ toolkits

  • Ensure that managers are aware of options for flexible working and are equipped to help employees benefit from them.
  • Equip managers and supervisors with resources and tools to support employees working with cancer. This could include showing what open and empathetic conversations look and sound like.

Wellbeing programmes and employee engagement

  • Provide health and wellbeing education, encouraging employees to be aware of the symptoms of cancer, health risks and advice around prevention.
  • Host workshops or “lunch and learn” forums to educate employees about cancer, its treatments and how to support colleagues who have been diagnosed.
  • Organise wellness activities, support groups, or workshops that focus on mental health and wellbeing.
  • Maintain an open dialogue about cancer all year round (beyond awareness days), to demonstrate a genuine commitment to employee wellness.
  • Provide communications and training to educate colleagues and managers on how to communicate and interact with employees who have cancer. This includes understanding boundaries, respecting privacy, and how to offer support.

Enable employee advocacy

  • Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) can be valuable forums to help drive awareness and educate the workforce. Work closely with ERGs to understand what assets they require and what they need to feel supported.
  • Seek feedback from employees who have faced cancer. Ask them about their experiences and any suggestions for improvement. You can then use this information to adapt and refine communications. 

It’s time to step up and support employees with cancer

Employers play a fundamental role in their employees’ lives, particularly those facing cancer. By being empathetic, offering flexibility and creating a culture of care and support, businesses can create a workplace culture that not only supports employees facing cancer but also demonstrates commitment to employee wellbeing. This, in turn, contributes to a more inclusive, caring, and productive work environment for all employees.

From awareness to prevention, to employee allyship and support, we help businesses educate their workforce and encourage employees to take care of their whole selves – both inside and outside of the workplace.

Join the conversation

Text reads: Tune In. Supporting employees living with cancer. 11am-12pm BST, Friday 18th October

Join us for an enlightening discussion as we ‘Tune In’ to the experiences of employees living with cancer.

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It’s time to move employee mental health and wellbeing up the agenda for 2024

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

As we approach 2024, with strategy planning in full swing, there's no excuse for organizations to neglect the importance of employee mental health and wellbeing.

The facts are clear. According to Headspace’s Fifth Annual Workforce Attitudes Towards Mental Health Report, 95% of CEOs agree that their employees perform better at work when their mental health is strong and there is good recognition of the importance of mental health in the workplace. 

The Wellbeing Movement backs that up with research demonstrating that a 1% increase in employee happiness leads to a 12% increase in productivity and that workplaces with better wellbeing are 14% more likely to attract prospective talent. Additionally, poor mental health is estimated to have cost UK employers up to £56bn in 2020-2021 with burned-out employees six times more likely to want to leave their current jobs.  

Sadly, despite the impact of poor wellbeing and the commercial case to invest in improving it being clear, we still have a long way to go. Headspace’s Workforce Attitude Report found instability, productivity pressure, and rising expectations for all are driving a sense of dread in the workplace, with 87% of employees experiencing it at least once a month and 49% experiencing it at least once a week. 

According to Deloitte, 60% of employees, 64% of managers and 75% of C-suite are seriously considering quitting for a job that would better support their wellbeing. They found that a significant percentage of employees say their job negatively affects their physical (33%), mental (40%), and social (21%) wellbeing. Only around one out of three employees feel their job has a positive impact on their physical (33%), mental (32%), and social (31%) wellbeing. 

Driving a healthy culture that supports employee mental health and wellbeing

This World Mental Health Day we’re calling on leaders to plan for a better 2024. The great news is there are some clear areas to focus on and it’s not all expensive on-site yoga suites. 

Here are some of the best ways to drive a healthy culture: 

Make genuine strides in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

There is mounting evidence on the intersectionality of wellbeing with DEIB with 54% of employees stating that their employer’s DEIB policy has a positive impact on their mental health. 

Invest in culture

Working on driving culture can feel overwhelming, but working with someone like Great Place to Work can really help. The user-friendly platform provides you with an off-the-shelf proven and trusted employee opinion survey, benchmarking your results against other companies of a similar size. Expert analysts also review your results with you, pointing you in the direction of opportunities for the greatest improvement.

Question flexibility

Of course, the great debate on the level of working from home versus back to the office continues, but evidence shows that what employees really want is true flexibility including when they work as well as where. Feeling empowered and in control is shown to have huge health benefits. Consider opening new trials in 2024 to demonstrate that the organisation is open to more collaboration and look for a win: win for both employee wellbeing and organisational effectiveness. 

Empower employee voice

Outside of employee opinion surveys, employees want and need more opportunities to be heard. This could be through ERGs (employee resource groups), whistleblowing channels, or the introduction of a new culture of empowering and encouraging employees to call out poor behaviour. 

Ramp up purpose and volunteering

A recent study from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations found that 75% of volunteers reported that volunteering improves their mental health and overall wellbeing. Encourage employees to engage in purpose-driven initiatives and volunteering activities to foster a sense of fulfilment and connection. 

Provide mentoring support

Mentorship can positively impact mental wellbeing by fostering a sense of belonging. Establish mentoring programs to provide employees with guidance, support, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. 

Support managers and HR departments

Managers and HR departments play a pivotal role in supporting employee mental health and wellbeing. Provide them with training and resources to identify signs of stress and burn-out. 

Keeping employee health and wellbeing high on the agenda

As we approach 2024, the path to fostering a mentally healthy and flourishing workforce has never been clearer. If you are committed to prioritising your employees’ wellbeing then we share a common mission: to create workplaces that are fairer, healthier, and happier. 

Get our Employee Wellbeing Calendar, loaded with crucial awareness dates here.

From strategic employee engagement programmes to cultivating psychologically safe workplace cultures where positive mental health and wellbeing can flourish, we are here to provide the support you need. 

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How to engage hard-to-reach employees article

Reaching the frontline: How to engage hard-to-reach employees

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

Discover how to effectively engage hard-to-reach employees with inclusive internal communications.

Accessible and inclusive internal communications play a key part in creating and maintaining a thriving workforce. But when it comes to large, multi-level organisations, how do you communicate to such a wide and varied audience?

Frontline workers in particular pose a unique challenge as, by the very nature of their active job role, they are usually the hardest to reach. Without access to a laptop or sometimes even a work email account, it’s a challenge to ensure these employees are receiving important messages and are aligned with company values.

And although being away from a desk can have plenty of benefits, it’s these frontline workers who could benefit the most from inclusive communications. By reaching these employees, we can help them avoid any feelings of isolation or disconnectedness from the business while they are out on the frontline.

So, what is the best way to reach every employee, even those that are hard-to-reach? Clear and accessible communications, cutting through the noise and using a wide range of channels are just a few ways we can make sure our messages are engaging the whole workforce.

Case study: Launching a global employee app for DHL Express

DHL Express asked us to help them launch Smart Connect – an internal employee app and social intranet for DHL employees to help manage their work and stay connected. The aim of the app was to connect all 120k employees, providing news, HR services and info pages.

They explained that uptake of a previous internal app had been low, so it was important to get this launch right so the new app didn’t suffer the same fate.

We needed to be able to engage a diverse range of employees – across borders, language barriers and hugely different roles. It was also important that people felt confident to download the app onto their own personal devices, as many frontline workers didn’t have access to a work computer.

The client had also found that although DHL Express has a strong and consistent brand identity, this wasn’t always resonating with employees for internal communications.

Our approach to engaging hard-to-reach employees

So, how did we go about grabbing the attention of thousands of employees across offices, service centres, and out on the frontline?

  1. We gathered employee feedback

We wanted to understand the barriers to adoption, the challenges of reaching the workforce and what would capture DHL employees’ attention.

  1. We dived deep into the app experience

Training calls helped us better understand the app’s key features. This meant we could focus the campaign on areas that would have the biggest impact on employee experience.

  1. We stepped away from the norm

By using bespoke and attention-grabbing illustrations, we ensured the launch would have cut-through amongst other internal communications.

  1. We created a ‘portal to possibility’

We positioned the employee’s phone as the doorway into the world of DHL Express. Bright and energetic depictions of employees interacting with messages and pages leapt out of the phone, larger than life.

  1. We used a wide variety of comms channels

With highly diverse employees based all over the world, we rolled out the campaign across a variety of channels including posters, internal TV screens and roadshows. We knew we had to make the comms as engaging and accessible as possible to be able to reach everyone across the business.

By working closely with the DHL Express team, we were able to successfully roll out the ‘A portal to possibility’ campaign. The innovative approach combined with accessible content captivated employees, surpassed prior downloads and engaged all regions and roles.

Let’s talk to see how we can help you create highly inclusive and human-centric campaigns that engage hard-to-reach employees.

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Working with a B Corp creative agency: what to expect

Working with a B Corp creative agency: what to expect

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

As a B Corp creative agency, we're proud to contribute to a global movement that leverages business for positive change, making a meaningful difference to the world and those around us.

 

But what does that mean when you work with us?

Being a B Corp creative communications agency signifies our dedication to upholding the highest ethical standards throughout all aspects of our business. We try to do the right thing by not only our team, but our customers, their customers, our community, society, and the planet, all whilst balancing the need for profit in order to maintain a well-invested and thriving business.

In this article, we explore how being a B Corp creative agency benefits our customers, and what you can expect when working with a B Corp business.

Here are just some of the things you might notice.

Better service

As well as being a B Corp, we’re also an employee-owned business, which means everyone in our team is genuinely invested in creating great outcomes for our customers. Our staff retention is better than the average business which means our knowledge of your business grows as we maintain longer and more trusted relationships internally and externally.

Honest communication

Whether we’re delivering good news or not so good, you can expect transparency. We work in genuine partnership with our clients and external partners, built on honesty and trust. B Corp businesses are in trusted partnerships with society, the planet, and everyone they do business with, we’re seeking win:win opportunities.

End-to-end fairness with B Corp creative agency

From the way we work with our supply chains to the pricing we agree with our customers, we seek fairness. We’re not in a race to the bottom because we know that somewhere along the line either the planet, our team or our suppliers pay the price.

Always striving to de-carbonise

We consider the planet in every decision we make, we’re committed to de-carbonising and we will work closely with you to support you to make the most sustainable choices.

For example, all the paper we use for your production needs is FSC Certified and carbon-balanced (and chlorine and acid-free). We also use vegan inks where possible. We use efficient printing methods that optimise water and energy usage, and we recycle as much as we can. Our print suppliers, like us, hold Planet Mark certification, signifying our joint commitment to measuring and reducing our environmental footprints.

We’re inclusive

A big part of fairness is making sure everyone is included, represented authentically, and has a voice. We work hard and have stringent processes in place to make sure our work is diverse and represents everyone in a way that resonates with them. We set high standards of education and awareness on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging internally and will guide you where it’s appropriate.

We believe in progress, not perfection

We know that moving forward isn’t always linear. We’re curious and always learning about new ways to improve, what’s right today may be different in the future so you can expect us to constantly change and evolve.

Everyday impact

We recognise that impact comes in all shapes and sizes. We value small impacts just as much as major ones, as they collectively contribute to positive change.

Recommendations and referrals

The B Corp movement is a global community of connected and like-minded organisations, so we’ll often recommend other B Corp agencies or businesses to our clients if we feel their services would be useful.

Does this sound like the kind of relationship you’d like to have with your agency partner?

If so, great news. As a certified B Corp creative agency we’d love to hear from you, or you can search for all the great B Corp businesses here.

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How to build an inclusive workplace culture through authentic conversations

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

In this article, we explore how genuine and authentic conversations can help foster inclusive workplace cultures that unite global teams.

Inclusive workplace cultures are rapidly becoming a top priority for businesses dedicated to boosting creativity and innovation, increasing employee retention, and enhancing overall wellbeing.

A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that employees in workplaces with inclusive cultures were 81% happier in their jobs – three times more than those who didn’t feel included. However, the commitment to an inclusive workplace culture must be visible throughout the organisation, involving all employees from top to bottom.

So, how can you make an inclusive workplace culture visible and start authentic conversations around diversity, equity, and belonging? It can be a daunting task, especially when dealing with an international, disconnected and geographically diverse workforce.

Case study: Building an inclusive workplace culture with ‘Great to Be’

Following a drastic increase in the role of air cargo during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, IAG Cargo experienced extensive and rapid growth – a trend set to continue.

Despite investment in refreshing the IAG Cargo brand mission, vision, and values, employee engagement, pride, and loyalty remained low. The Organizational Health Index (OHI) results also highlighted a gap in reaching the frontline, raising concerns about the fragmented workforce lacking a cohesive sense of belonging and connection to the IAG Cargo brand.

As a naturally diverse business due to its international presence across over 80 countries, inclusivity wasn’t being felt across the global workforce. This was further exacerbated by some employees being directly contracted by the airlines, not the IAG Cargo business, presenting an additional barrier to belonging.

A critical need arose for a new approach to engagement, recognition, and retention. This was the start of ‘Great to be’.

Uniting a global workforce

How did we address this challenge and unite an international and fragmented workforce across 80 countries, creating a sense of belonging?

  • Diversity and inclusion were integrated into everyday conversations to create an environment where everyone felt safe to contribute their knowledge and perspectives.
  • We launched ‘Great to Be’, a long-term campaign that recognised key DEIB and wellbeing calendar events, demonstrating IAG Cargo’s longstanding commitment.
  • The culture change originated from the top, with leadership sponsors championing events and speaking candidly about their own experiences.
  • Managers were equipped to become more inclusive leaders, ensuring that everyone was seen, heard, and given the opportunity to succeed.
  • Spaces for conversations were created, allowing for open, honest dialogues, and providing a safe place for employees to ask questions and share stories.
  • ‘Great to Be’ is just the start of IAG Cargo’s journey towards creating a workforce where all employees could belong. The campaign not only served as a launchpad to unify its workforce but also encouraged continued conversations around crucial diversity and inclusion topics.

To find out how we can help you initiate authentic conversations DEIB with your employees as you look to foster an inclusive workplace culture, get in touch with us today.



Building a culture of belonging across diverse countries and cultures

By Sally Pritchett
CEO

Discover how we helped a global business to foster a culture of belonging.

Enhancing performance and cultivating loyalty, a culture of belonging encourages united dedication and purpose across a business. As Tony Bond, SVP, Chief Diversity & Innovation Officer at Great Place To Work explains: “Diversity is being invited to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance and belonging is dancing like nobody’s watching, because that’s how free you feel to be yourself.”

Why does belonging matter?

Belonging is not just a buzzword. According to Deloitte’s 2020 Global Human Capital Trends survey, 79% of organisations consider belonging important for their achievements. Research conducted by BetterUp revealed that when employees feel a sense of belonging, businesses experience large benefits, including improved job performance by 56%, a 50% lower risk of turnover, and a 75% decrease in employee sick days.

Creating a sense of belonging across countries and cultures is essential for global businesses looking to foster unity, collaboration, and innovation among diverse teams. But global campaigns can face unique challenges due to cultural differences, language barriers, and varying workplace practices. Tailoring your campaign to resonate with employees from different backgrounds while maintaining a consistent message of belonging requires careful planning, cross-cultural collaboration, and sensitivity to specific regional needs.

Case study: Making belonging part of the everyday conversation

Spanning 220 countries and territories, with a global workforce of around 600,000, DHL Group realised that they were not fully tapping into the potential of their diverse workforce. To celebrate the diversity of their employees and foster inclusivity they recognised the need to help all employees feel that they belong.

We distilled the concept of belonging into a simple and relatable campaign – and that was the start of ‘I Belong’.

Our creative strategy made the concept of belonging relatable and simple, for all. The results of the campaign were remarkable, seeing high engagement on both internal and external channels, which we put down to four key reasons.

  1. Real employees took centre stage, sharing their stories of how belonging extends from their personal lives into the workplace. Through blended images, the campaign showcased the authentic experiences of employees, fostering authenticity and unity.
  2. We leveraged the power of user-generated content by creating a versatile frame device. This device enabled employees to share their stories across internal and external channels, and was accessible across countries and cultures.
  3. To ensure global consistency, a comprehensive global toolkit was created, including campaign assets, videos, and a user-generated content toolkit for employees. This facilitated engagement across diverse regions and cultures within the organization.
  4. The campaign utilized the #iBelong hashtag and frame template, resonating with employees of different genders, ages, ethnicities, and cultures. By amplifying the campaign across internal and external channels, equal access was provided for all employees to participate and contribute their authentic stories.

Through employee engagement and participation, ‘I Belong’ encouraged individuals to share their authentic stories, creating a platform for open dialogue and connection. The global reach and impact extended the message of inclusivity beyond the organization, fostering connection among employees, reinforcing the importance of belonging and diversity in the workplace.

Colleagues all around the world have posted the template with their belonging stories. Our internal DEIB social wall is just flooded posts and people keep on posting. We can already say after a few days it is a very successful campaign engaging so many colleagues who are proud to work for DHL Group!

Head of Corporate Team in Digital & Internal Comms, DHL Group

Creating a culture of belonging across countries and cultures is an ongoing journey.  Contact us today to chat about how we can support you in building a culture of belonging across countries and cultures.