The 2021 Perennial’s Health & Wellbeing Survey, found that mental wellbeing was among the biggest perceived challenges for people working in horticulture. The survey revealed that 85% of people’s mental wellbeing was poor or below average, with 26% of people listed suffering from depression, anxiety, and stress as critical issues. Considering the current uncertainty in the economy, inflation, isolation from increased home-working one can assume employee happiness may have taken an additional hit.
Yet working on employee happiness makes good business sense as it’s closely linked to business success. A 2019 Oxford study found a causal relationship between happiness and productivity. The study found that happy employees were 13% more productive.
In addition, an intriguing study about soldier well-being and work performance in the United States Army amongst nearly one million soldiers over five years, showed that happy workers simply perform better, and not just a little bit better but dramatically better. According to the top military brass, they saw four times as many awards earned by the initially happiest soldiers compared with those who were un- happiest initially, revealing a huge difference in performance. Citing earlier research as well as their own work, the authors explained that “happier employees are more likely to emerge as leaders, earn higher scores on performance evaluations, and tend to be better teammates.” They are also “healthier, have lower rates of absenteeism, are highly motivated to succeed, are more creative, have better relationships with peers, and are less likely to leave a company.”
Alitex
Many a conversation with a happy employee at Alitex, the manufacturer of premium glasshouses revealed to the Dirt News, that the company is working towards setting a new standard for employee wellbeing and supportive workplace culture in the horticultural industry.
“At Alitex, our employees are the heart and soul of our company, and their wellbeing is our top priority,” said Tom Hall, executive chairman and owner of Alitex. “We believe in creating an environment where our team members feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Through ongoing learning opportunities, access to a beautiful work environment with green spaces, and encouraging team members to get involved in our philanthropic activities, we aim to set a new standard for employee wellbeing in the horticultural industry and help implement widespread changes across the sector as a whole.”
The Alitex approach to their staff is one aimed at nurturing an encouraging, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace culture. This commitment is reflected in a series of programs that go beyond mere checkboxes and are designed to foster a nurturing and inclusive workplace, and make employees feel appreciated and supported. These include a weekly mood survey, where employees rate their feelings and share highlights of their week, as well as the ‘Alitex Champions’ program, which celebrates acts of kindness and helpfulness among peers. Recognising the importance of professional support services, Alitex has also partnered with Myndup to provide counselling, therapy, and life coaching to all employees.
Alitex also runs a programme called Nurture, where staff can learn new skills, experience life in different teams across the business and create both short and long-term goals to work towards. Jo Lee, Learning and Development Coordinator at Alitex explained, “Alitex’s Nurture program is not just about learning new skills, it’s about building a culture of growth where every individual has the opportunity to flourish. Through exploration across different teams and setting meaningful goals, we empower our staff to unlock their full potential and contribute to the collective success of the business.”
“We encourage ongoing learning, learning new skills and goal setting to encourage personal and professional growth and boost fulfilment. We aim to empower everyone to make informed decisions and learn from them. Whether it’s through our handy Nurture platform or other resources, we’re here to help our team reach their goals and beyond!” adds Lee.
Additionally, internal Friday updates collate videos from across all departments to boost morale and maintain connectivity within the team. During the festive season, Alitex organises a “Twelve Days of Christmas” project, where each department hosts activities such as raffles, pub quizzes, or video showcases. Alitex also runs “Feel Good Feb,” a month-long campaign focused on promoting wellbeing and building connections among team members where the team is encouraged to take part in activities such as sound baths, art and yoga.
These initiatives serve to encourage teamwork, foster relationships, and spark creativity among employees.
Staff retention
Retaining staff is vital for a company to reach full operational capacity as a committed, motivated team of employees is essential to achieve scale for the business. Nelly Hall, brand manager at Alitex confirms the company enjoys high employee retention rates.
“We take pride in our high staff retention rate because it shows how much people love working at Alitex! We have 28 employees that have been at Alitex for over 10 years, with 10 of those having been with us for over 20 years! We believe that this is a result of our dedication to wellbeing, career development, and creating a positive workplace culture. By providing ongoing support and growth opportunities, we try to make sure every team member feels valued and motivated to build long-term careers with us. We encourage ongoing learning, learning new skills and goal setting to encourage personal and professional growth and boost fulfilment. We aim to empower each individual to make informed decisions and learn from them. Whether it’s through our handy Nurture platform or other resources, we’re here to help our team reach their goals and beyond!”
Future goals
When asked, what’s next on the Alitex agenda of desired achievements, it’s a confirmation of the company’s environmental corporate responsibility. Hall explains: “If any, it would be B-Corp – but our main aim is to ensure we are authentic in our approach and our team feel valued, both professionally and personally.
She adds, “Our environmental initiatives are a way for us to take responsibility as a company for how we can provide sustainable solutions for our consumers whilst also considering the longevity of the business and the future for our employees. We believe that a healthy workplace extends beyond just individual health and should also prioritise other factors such as environmental sustainability. Through installing things such as compost bins and providing every team member with a reusable thermos, we want to create a sense of collective responsibility and community. Our company ethos is purpose, place and people and we are genuinely passionate about all that grows.”