Employee Engagement and Communication

What differentiates a company in which people are productive, feel rewarded and empowered? Research shows that engaged employees are more likely to stay with a company, perform 20 per cent better than their colleagues and act as advocates of the business. Employee engagement and communication are two of the most powerful tools to build effective cultures and working environments.

When the COVID 19 pandemic hit and workers were sent home to work from their bedrooms, dining rooms or kitchens, it was the companies that were well connected technically and emotionally that adapted the best. They had a culture of trust and integrity that could be relied upon and the basis of a new way of working.

In a working environment which encourages the sharing of ideas, respects opinions and differences, and welcomes diversity, it is more likely that people will feel engaged. With engagement comes better productivity, more innovation, tolerance and better problem solving. Ideas turn into realities, work is completed and customers are satisfied.

So what do you do to create an inclusive, engage and open working environment?
It is about

Vision and mission
Values
Leadership style
Management approach
Embracing inclusivity
Learning and Development
Reward and Benefits
Communication style and approach
Dealing with the issues

We can help you to delve into your culture, identify what is working and what is holding you back. Working with you we will devise a strategy to embrace the way that you work, the approach with your colleagues and customers, the way in which you engage with your teams and encourage performance. There is no “one size fits all” fix for this and it might take a bit of time. There will be elements that you can develop internally and some that benefit from independent and external contribution.

As a result of working with us you will experience:

Improved internal and external communication
Better attraction and retention of talent
More creativity and problem solving
Collaboration
Co-operation
Less attrition
Happier people
Fulfilled people

HDR UK has worked with the team at Gravitate from the very early days of our inception, and they have offered HR and recruitment support and advice at many stages of our journey. In the last couple of years, they have supported significant growth in the team, allowing us to not only grow in terms of headcount but also to support improvements with our HR systems, process, guidance and changes in our working practices. More recently, Margery has worked with me to realign our senior team structure to position us to more deliver the next phase of our strategy, an important exercise to retain talent in our leadership and focus our energies on strategically critical functions. The Gravitate team is professional, knowledgeable, responsive and we have valued their expertise.

Andrew Morris, Director, HDR UK

We started working with Gravitate at a difficult time for our business during the Covid-19 crisis, they provided us with great support with the many HR challenges caused by the pandemic, so much so that we decided to retain their services on a permanent basis.

Gravitate have advised us on a wide range of issues from downsizing, policy development, contracts, and day-to-day employee relation issues. They are able to bring clarity and structure to our discussions and help turn our ideas and objectives into practical, tangible actions.

I would highly recommend Gravitate to other employers.

Richard Lee

Would highly recommend Gravitate HR to any business big or small. Being a smaller company we outsource our HR requirements and Gravitate have supported our business for a number of years now ensuring we are compliant on all HR aspects which is particularly important to us especially being a smaller company and not having a dedicated internal HR representative and knowing their professional support is only a phone call away.

Very approachable, friendly and knowledgeable staff, we know we will receive the best possible service whenever we require support.

Gravitate HR has helped us with various aspects of HR over the years and the benefits to us have been the quick response and being able to pay for services as and when we require them. No enquiry is too big or small and we greatly benefit from the in depth advice offered in any situation.

A wonderful team to work with!

Almond Engineering Ltd

We have used Gravitate for a number of years now and find their service exceptional. Being able to chat to a HR professional at a moments notice is a wonderful asset out our company. Their advice is not only practical but also very considered to each situation. As a business we value our staff hugely and need to ensure our policies reflect this. Gravitate have been instrumental in creating many of these policies and being able to utilise their skills and experience is very reassuring. We would have no hesitation in recommending Gravitate to any business looking for expert HR support.

Ken Bell , 1LET

Absolutely excellent service, I spoke with Rae and Laura who were both very easy to work with and super helpful along the way. We now have a dedicated HR system that works with easy to use policies in place.

Would recommend to any business looking for some help or advice.

David

How did you first become introduced to Gravitate HR?
We started working with Gravitate during the pandemic when we needed practical hands-on support to implement some of the legal advice which we had received around restructuring our business after Covid. This initial project then grew into retained HR service to support our Heads of Department and HR Manager with day-to-day HR issues when they were managing with less resources on site.

How would you describe the range of HR services that you receive?
Gravitate have supported us with a range of services since we started working together, aside from day-to-day transactional HR advice we have also worked together on more strategic projects such as policy reviews, legislative changes, restructuring and change management.
Gravitate have also supported our management team with an onsite training workshop, and remote advice & coaching support on HR/ER issues. They also act as a strategic sounding board to help the General Manager crystallize his strategic vision for the team and how best to implement this.

What change has this allowed the organisation to realise and how have Gravitate HR specifically contributed to this.
This year we have been working on a wide program of cultural change in our organization, based on a vision for our intended optimal Guest Experience and Employee Culture in the hotel. Gravitate have helped support us with the implementation of this from a people perspective including enhancing our Employer Value Proposition, changing our Organization Chart, and improving our Employer Branding.

What do you value in the relationship with Gravitate that has moved the relationship from the initial project to a retained one?
What we value most about Gravitate is the personal relationships and service, we work very closely with the same two advisors who over time have built up an extensive and intimate knowledge of our business, team and culture. I have worked with other HR consultants before where you never speak to the same person twice, but through our relationship with Gravitate they have become an extended part of our hotel team.

Would you recommend this outsourced service to other organisations?
I would have no hesitation in highly recommending Gravitate to other companies who want to enhance & develop their HR resource in a professional and cost effective way.

Hilton Garden Inn Heathrow

We have worked with the Gravitate HR team for the last ten years. Initially their remit was to ensure that our staff guidance, employment policies and procedures were kept up to date on an annually basis. However as we have grown from 15 to 70 staff members Margery, Neil, Laura and the team have provided invaluable advice and support to our business. This has ranged from helping to resolve complicated staff issues through to providing support for our annual appraisals. They have effectively become like our own HR department.

Stuart Gray, Managing Director, Thomson Gray Ltd

We started working with Gravitate HR when we needed HR support in reviewing our terms and conditions, policies and procedures. This initial project then grew into retained HR service to support our Managers with day-to-day HR issues.

Gravitate have supported us with a range of services since we started working together, aside from day-to-day transactional HR advice we have also worked together on more strategic projects such as policy and contractual reviews.

Gravitate have also supported our management team onsite and remotely with advice on various HR issues. They act as a strategic sounding board to the Directors and we feel confident we’re approaching any HR issues the right way. Their team demonstrate an excellent balance of professionalism, advice and support to all aspects of HR advice.

What we value most about Gravitate is the experienced hands-on support we receive. There is always someone at the end of the line and our HR Manager has an excellent understanding of our business and HR requirements, and always offers practical advice. Gravitate HR generally work with us remotely, but on occasion, have come on-site when required, and this blended approach works extremely well for us.

I would highly recommend Gravitate HR as an HR partner to other companies.

Fiona McKaig , Director Glenalmond Timber