Kanga Health – Finalist 2024, Best Small Employer
Kanga Health prioritises their people in recognition that a happy workforce will deliver meaningful results for the business, and so have implemented a fully flexible working culture so that everyone can perform at their best.
Progressive policies
Employees are encouraged from day one to consider how they can work flexibly to manage their commitments at home and at work, with a range of working arrangements on offer including home, hybrid, and remote working, as well as flexi or part-time hours. Contracts state the willingness to accommodate flexible requirements and the policy is detailed in the employee handbook. Employees are given complete autonomy to manage their working hours around their personal circumstances and can take time out of their working day for all medical appointments, meaning they can manage caring commitments as well as health conditions and personal development. An enhanced Maternity and Adoption Pay package is higher than SMP and pay rises and pension contributions are paid during the leave period. Shared parental leave provision is matched to the enhanced maternity provision.
A holistic approach
Measures are in place to help reduce or manage pressure and stress. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) gives 24/7 access to BCAP-trained counsellors, and practical information and advice services for home and work issues that may affect flexible teams. An equality, diversity and inclusion champion and wellbeing champion have arranged EDI training for the team and expanded the benefits package to include discounted memberships at a local leisure centre and have registered the organisation as a breastfeeding-welcome workplace. Mental health first aiders are trained to assist when family or work life becomes hard and can signpost to specialist support.
Leading from the top
The CEO champions flexibility and support for parents and carers from the top and all staff work flexibly, including senior leaders.
The leadership team can access several training and support options, from webinars/live sessions through to HR such as: Conducting 1-2-1s Virtually, Communication Skills, Handling Difficult Conversations/Managing Probation, Managing Absence & Conducting Investigations and much more.
In addition, the leadership team can access company subsidised resources from Aviva such as ‘Supporting teams – stress and resilience’ sessions, and our Employee-Assistance-Programme (EAP) which gives access to a 24/7 counselling team – practical information and advice services for home or work issues that may affect teams, provided by CareFirst, with trained counsellors from BACP.
A family-friendly future
The impact of the supportive culture is evident in the average 5.2-year tenure, which is double that of their competitors. Plans to increase this involve further investment in the benefits package and a focus on EDI and wellbeing.
