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Assess Yourself
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Planet
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Process
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Enter your full name and email address so that we can send you your Sustainability Report when you have completed this short survey.
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Last
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People
The recruitment market has never been more competitive and finding talent is becoming more and more difficult. That’s why being an employer who actively tries to do things by the book, engage their employees, and develop their people can help you attract that top talent and keep hold of the great people you already have. So, see how you stack up against some best-practice basics and savvy employee-engaging methods with the questions below.
Providing contracts of employment can not only keep you in line legally but also helps your employees trust that you're an employer who does things properly. What best describes your current approach to this?
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We always make sure contracts are issued to new starters before they join
We issue contracts out for some roles within the business, but not for others
We don’t have anything in place currently
We are a family business, so don’t think we need them
New starters really value a planned induction process to help them settle into a business. Do you have a tailored induction process in place for new people who come on board?
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Yes, we make sure we give each new starter a tailored induction
We try to but could be more consistent with it
No, we don’t have a tailored induction process
Do you carry out probation review meetings throughout, and at the end of, an employee's probation period?
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Yes, always – we have regular performance check-ins and a full review at the end of the period
Only at the end of their probation period
Only if performance is poor
Never
Managing sickness and absence can feel complicated but, with some simple processes, it can be a lot easier. Do you have an absence reporting procedure applied consistently throughout your business?
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Yes
We have one but it could be applied more consistently
We don’t have one
Part a) Do your employees complete a self-certificate when their sickness absence is less than seven days?
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Yes
No
Sometimes
I don’t know
Part b) Do your managers carry out return-to-work meetings when employees come back from a sickness absence?
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Yes
No
Sometimes
I don’t know
In a recent Citation survey, two out of three businesses had noticed a change in the mental health of their employees over the past 12-month period, with employee wellbeing being a top priority for many of them. Do you provide training to your managers to help support and promote employee wellbeing?
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Yes, our managers are fully trained on the topic
No, it’s not something we’ve gotten round to
We would like to but don’t know where to start
Recognising great work is a really effective way to keep your employees engaged and make sure they stick around for longer. Do you have an appraisal process in place as a method of delivering feedback?
Yes, we have a framework that all managers use and tailor to the employee
We regularly give feedback but haven’t put a more formal appraisal process in place yet
No, we don’t currently have an appraisal process in place
Having equality and diversity policies in place is a must. But the buck doesn't stop there. To make sure those policies are fully engaged with by your employees and you meet your legal obligations, regular training is absolutely essential. Do you conduct equality, diversity, and inclusion training for both managers and employees on a regular basis?
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Yes, we carry out regular training
No, we don’t carry out regular training
Are you aware of whistleblowing and do you understand your business obligations for handling any concerns raised?
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No, I’ve never heard of it and don’t know what I should be doing with it
Yes I’m aware of what it is, but I’m not sure what my obligations are
Yes, we’re fully aware of it and have a policy in place to cover it
Yes, we have a policy in place and also regularly train managers on this subject
No matter what you do, some employees will inevitably leave the business at one time or another. An exit process can give you some great insight into the reasons why. Do you currently hold an exit interview when someone leaves the business?
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Yes
Yes, but we don’t know if we’re covering everything we should in them
No, not right now
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Planet
In a 2022 NatWest survey, 70% of SMEs said high energy bills were having a negative effect on business growth. Cutting your energy consumption is good for your budget and the planet – but environmentally-friendly business practices go further than that. From energy and water to paper and travel, here’s a few questions to help you get a picture of where your carbon footprint is at right now and where you could be making small but effective changes.
Are your employees educated and engaged when it comes to sustainability in the workplace?
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Yes, we educate them regularly on environmentally-friendly practices
Some employees are but we could do more to engage everyone
We haven’t thought about educating and engaging employees on environmentally-friendly practices yet
Are your lights and electrical equipment switched off when not in use? (That includes laptops, desktop computers, phones, printers, and chargers.)
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Yep, we’re strict on this – employees know what they’re expected to do and follow through with it.
We encourage employees to but everyone in the business could do better
We’re good with lights but not electrical equipment
We’re good with electrical equipment but not lights
No
Having smart technologies in the workplace can help you make sure your heating and lights are only on when people are actually in the building. What's your current situation?
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We have smart technologies to manage our heating/air conditioning
Our heating/air conditioning is fitted with thermostats and timers
We manually manage the heating and air conditioning settings for our business
We haven’t thought about any of this so far
Keeping your electrical work equipment energy efficient is all down to maintenance. Are your appliances well maintained?
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Yes, we regularly maintain our electrical work equipment in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines and keep a log
We make an effort but could do better
I can’t remember the last time I/my team checked our electrical equipment
When it comes to hot water, do you and your employees only heat what you need, when you need it?
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Yes
No
Doesn’t apply to our workplace
I don’t know
Older doors and windows can be a major cause of heat and/or cooling loss within a building, as can leaving doors open. Are your doors and windows properly sealed and kept closed when heating/air con is on?
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Yes, always
We try but could do more to engage employees to close doors and/or could replace older fittings
We don’t have this problem
No
Most businesses have reduced their paper usage over the years to cut waste and save some trees. Could you enforce a paperless culture?
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We’re already as paperless as possible
We’ve reduced our paper usage but could do more
It wouldn’t work for our business
Maintaining the output of your air conditioning system to an automatic setting of 21°C is considered a ‘comfortable’ setting for most people. Is your air conditioning maintained at 21°C?
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Yes, always
No
Doesn’t apply to my workplace
Do you have the most cost-effective energy supplier/tariff?
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Yes, I’m confident I’ve got the best deal I can get
Maybe – I try to look around but find it hard to be confident I’ve got the best deal
No, there’s probably better out there / I’m on a default tariff
What steps do you take to encourage your employees to travel responsibly to and from the workplace or out in the field? (Please choose all that apply)
We offer season ticket loans for public transport
We have electric vehicle charging ports available
We offer a Cycle to Work scheme
We provide preferential parking for employees who car share
We haven’t even thought about any of this yet
Other – please state
Briefly describe the steps you take to encourage employees to travel responsibly:
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Process
Clear processes and good governance – from risk mitigation and strict data policies to quality management – help you run a business that’s not just more sustainable, but also more ethical, efficient, and attractive to potential recruits. So, let’s see where you’re at right now, and hopefully give you some ideas for taking your governance from good, to better, to best!
Managing waste is a hot topic and, no matter your industry, we can all make a difference. Do you have any policies around waste management and disposal for your team?
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Yes
No, nothing official but we do talk about it
Nothing yet
Change can't happen unless people know how to support it. Do you actively promote, track and talk to your people about your policies for minimising your environmental impact? For example, waste management policies covering activities that reduce, reuse or recycle business waste, or environmental statements covering measures to reduce pollution?
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Yes, regularly
Sometimes, but we could do better
We don’t have any environmental policies yet
Never
Accidents happen, but planning can help reduce the impact. Do you have any policies that you have shared with your team on how to minimise environmental incidents within their working environment (like an oil spill into a freshwater drain)?
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Yes, we have policies and we communicate them with our team
No, we don’t have policies but we do talk about how to minimise incidents
No, we hadn’t thought about this yet
Do you keep your team and working environments safe? For example, by doing proactive risk assessments to look for potential hazards and mitigating them with clear working practices (method statements).
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Yes, we regularly complete and update our risk assessments and method statements
We have risk assessments and method statements but could do better at assessing our working environment and activities more regularly
We’re not where we should be with our risk assessments
Not sure
Health & Safety incidents can be expensive and, often, avoidable. Do you record 'near-misses' – incidents or accidents that were narrowly avoided – and look for ways to stop them happening again?
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Yes, always
Most of the time
No
Cyber crimes are on the rise, and that makes businesses vulnerable. Do you have policies in place that guard against losing data and personal/sensitive information? For example, permissions-based access to employee records, multi-factor authentication for your systems, and clear desk policies.
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Yes, we’re hot on this
No, this is something we need to do still
In this digital age, managing data properly and strictly is so important. Do you actively manage your General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) obligations? For example, only holding or processing data you're lawfully entitled to, only using data in a fair way, and being transparent about what data you do hold and why.
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Yes, we’re well aware of our obligations and have policies and processes in place to make sure we meet them
We have a policy in place but could do more to actively manage how data is being used and processed
No, this is something we need to improve on
You can boost the reputation of your business and reduce mistakes by having a recognised management system in place that shows you put consistency and quality first. At the core of this is having documented quality management policies and procedures that your people follow. Do you have these in place?
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Yes, we do
Yes, we do, and we have a full quality management system, too (like ISO 9001 certification)
No, not yet – not sure if this is relevant to my business
No, not yet – but I’d like to explore it
How do you make sure you understand the wants and needs of your clients, to avoid wasted time, cost, and output? (Please select all that apply)
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We have a complaints-handling procedure
Surveys/questionnaires
Account management
We have a quality management system in place
Other
We don’t currently do this
How do you get customer feedback to make sure your products/services meet their needs? (Please select all that apply)
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Questionnaires
Feedback sessions
Reviews (e.g., Google reviews)
We have a quality management system in place
Other
We don’t have anything structured in place
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