Best Companies, an organisation dedicated to making the world a better workplace, have awarded the UK’s leading arts and crafts retailer with the Special Award for Giving Something Back. The retailer also received a Lifetime Achievement Award and was recognised for being committed to being a best company to work and maintaining a three-star ‘world class’ status for six consecutive years and was also awarded the No.3 Best Big Company to work for in the UK accolade, making them the Best Big Retailer to work for.
The Special Awards recognise organisations that have demonstrated exemplary performance, or innovative practice, while the Giving Something Back Award from Best Companies recognises organisations that make a positive impact on society and the local community. Hobbycraft’s continued effort to support charities and communities, drive equality, diversity and inclusivity with colleagues and customers, and improve their environmental impact has resulted in them being awarded this Special Award.
Using detailed research, survey data and the Best Companies Index (BCI) to rank organisations, a three-star accreditation is the highest standard of workplace engagement, representing organisations that truly excel. Awarded to organisations with a BCI score of 738 or higher, the accreditation reflects companies who care about doing things right, value their people, understand the importance of a truly engaged workforce, and are ‘world class’ to work for.
Chris Fenlon, Retail & People Director at Hobbycraft, comments: “Being recognised for our sustainability, diversity and inclusion and charity work means so much to our colleagues as this award recognises our dedication and progress and will spur us on to drive this important work even further. Being awarded three-star accreditation for the sixth time is testament to the positive environment that has been created by our colleagues. It is great to see that our teams feel more valued and engaged than ever before, and as a business we will continue to put our colleagues at the heart of everything we do.”
Hobbycraft strives to create a positive work environment to help colleagues flourish by placing wellbeing at the heart of the business. The retailer truly values its colleagues and the contribution they make to the business; it is constantly working to ensure it creates an environment where colleagues are proud of where they work and enthusiastic about the products they sell and the services they provide. The company also providers access to mental health first aiders and a Retail Trust employee assistance programme all year round.
To help give colleagues the skills they need to grow, and fulfil their own passions and businesses, Hobbycraft’s unique Artisan programme nurtures talent from within the business. By joining the programme, colleagues are provided additional training to develop their writing and presenting skills, learn how to effectively use social media, and participate in training days centred around business skills and development. In addition, Artisan colleagues are provided with the opportunity to pitch and produce products and develop and host online and in-store workshop programme, all while continuing to deliver world class customer service to customers.
