DS Smith’s UK Packaging business has launched a company-wide employee reward and recognition programme.
The packaging supply cycle specialist conducted an engagement survey with more than 3,000 of its staff. As a result of the feedback received, the company decided to find ways to encourage a climate of praise and recognition reflecting the preferred style and culture within the business.
A three-tier scheme has been developed in partnership with reward experts, Red Letter Days for Business, to provide instant recognition of employee behaviours that mirror the company values and to encourage recognition of exemplar employee behaviour.
Known as STARS (Spontaneous Thanks And Reward Scheme), it allows for thank-you cards to be handed or sent to employees. Anyone can take the opportunity to recognise employees who go the extra mile. Employees can also be nominated to receive £25 reward vouchers.
Brian Wark, HR Director for the UK Packaging business, said: “We have a large number of hugely committed and responsive employees who go out of their way to deliver exceptional service and we wanted to find a way to acknowledge this in a more meaningful way.”
At the end of each January and July, the company’s Employee Forum and senior management team will select four ‘STARS Champions’ who will each receive vouchers to the value of £250.
Bill Alexander, CEO at Red Letter Days for Business said: “Our latest engagement report shows that 80 per cent of highly engaged staff receive some form of reward or recognition for work well done, compared to just 35 per cent of those who have no engagement.
“The power of a thank-you from peers, managers and directors should never be underestimated. The STARS scheme is a fantastic campaign and will make DS Smith’s employees feel even more valued by their employer.”
The STARS scheme is one of a number of initiatives the company has undertaken as part of developing a highly engaged culture. These include a health and well-being programme in conjunction with the national charity Heart Research UK supporting employees to recognise the benefits of adopting a healthier lifestyle.