With over 20,000 staff located in over 3000 properties around the country, Royal Mail’s aim was to boost staff morale by enhancing the welfare areas in the workplace. But how could this be achieved, on brand and within budget? Royal Mail had clearly set itself quite a task – and Integrity rose to the challenge.
The heart of the matter
Our first step was to discover exactly what the employees wanted from their welfare areas. So, armed with a handful of questionnaires and some biscuits, we joined postal staff on a 4am shift. We felt questionnaires would allow employees to express their viewpoint, free from influence or persuasion.
The results were fascinating. In the main, employees actively wanted separation from the management, and due to the shift work, tended to form and stick within their individual groups. They had their own rooms, facilities and work areas, and would tend to gravitate towards these rather than use other, better equipped communal rooms.
A fresh approach
For the welfare areas to be effective, things had to change. Mindful of the strict budget, we worked with the existing furnishings and space and found ways to improve the frequency of use and look of the communal areas – essentially, making best use of the space.
By breaking up the welfare areas into ‘zones’, based on exactly what staff used them for, we devised spaces that maximised the light and created an ‘airy’ feel. Our aim was to accommodate the groups and their shift patterns, with every room having easy in/out access, on the same floor, which flowed naturally from their section of the factory floor.
The results?
Using the existing space and furnishings, we were able to present a strong case for a modular, zoning approach for the welfare areas that was within budget and on brand.
Industry or sector
Logistics
Country
UK
Challenge
Engaging staff in workplace development
Services
Brand engagement
Links
Royal Mail
Downloads
Employee engagement factsheet.