William Grant and Sons raises staff engagement

EXCLUSIVE: William Grant and Sons has increased employee engagement with its reward package over the past two years.

The majority (86%) of the distillery’s 1,600 staff participated in its employee engagement survey, provided by Towers Watson.

In the reward category, William Grant and Sons’ results have risen six percentage points since 2010. Almost two-thirds (68%) of respondents said the company makes adequate use of recognition and reward, other than money, to encourage good performance, compared to 62% in 2010.

The majority (82%) of respondents said William Grant and Sons’ benefits, including its pension, healthcare plan, company cars and holiday, fits their needs, which is up from 76% in 2010.

Gary Brewer, head of reward and organisational development at William Grant and Sons, said: “When you look at all that happened in 2011 and 2012, it’s been a whole succession of improvements and enhancements to what we offer, with a degree more choice, education and explanation along the way.

“When you add all of them together, it makes for a reasonably compelling proposition. The results are very positive.”

The distillery’s employee engagement efforts were acknowledged by the British Quality Foundation in November, when it received the Achievement Award for Employee Engagement.

Brewer added: “The feedback from the judging panel was very positive and included the following comment: ‘The panel believes William Grant and Sons is trying hard to embed employee engagement into the day-to-day running of the company.

“[It offers a] rounded programme addressing key areas important to employees carried out in a fun and inviting way, with definitely enthused people’.”