Four Bristol area firms have been named among the happiest places to work in the South West, with staff enjoying benefits ranging from flexible working and training to meditation and ping pong.
The South West Happiest Workplaces awards were launched three years ago by Bristol-based workspace and interior design consultancy Wylde IA to recognise firms that go the extra mile to ensure their staff are cheerful and fulfilled.
Among this year’s winners were ethical bank Triodos and software developer Ghyston – both based in Bristol city centre – Aztec West-based skateboard distributor Shiner and employee benefits and HR support firm PES, based at Rudgeway, South Gloucestershire. 
Triodos scooped the medium/large Bristol business award, with judges praising its calm workspace and warm, welcoming and friendly atmosphere – a far cry from a traditional bank.
There is plenty of open spaces, with light and airy feel and lots of informal space for meetings and breaks, they said. They also remarked on Triodos’s approach to flexible working – with employees encouraged to take breaks – regular staff surveys, very engaged co-worker forum, and regular yoga and meditation sessions on site. The firm also has mental health first aiders. Equality was very important, they said, pointing out that there are a high number of females in executive roles.
The small Bristol business award went to Ghyston for its smart modern warm and welcoming space in Colston Tower. It also encourages a supportive working culture with staff judged on productivity not hours worked. Management is open and there is a flexible working ethos with staff working from home as much as they want. It also carries out regular happiness surveys and there is a ‘morale’ budget for employee organised events and activities.
Shiner, which was crowned the Happiest Workplace in the inaugural awards in 2015, this time won the medium/large South Gloucestershire trophy for its open-plan, light and airy offices and “welcoming and warm atmosphere from the moment you step into the building. There is a busy buzz of a happy workforce!”.
It carefully considers recruitment to get the ‘right’ Shiner people. Employees are then encouraged to grow and develop, and the firm always tries to promote from within. There are independent staff surveys to understand how employees are feeling, employee focus groups to look at processes and making it a better place to work and an active corporate social responsibility program – including volunteering at the Wild Place and helping to build a new skate park/youth centre in Bristol. And, of course, the firm has its own on-site skate park and ping pong tables.
PES won the South Gloucestershire small firm title for its pioneering HR processes including one-to-one appraisals. The firm introduced a ‘thanksbox’ to reward employees for going the extra mile and there are regular talks on nutrition, hydration, healthy eating and advice of financial wellbeing.
Staff also get free fruit in the office, yoga sessions, and take part in team games such as dodgeball and tag rugby. There is also an on-site gym and a voluntary health screening programme and walking meetings are encouraged.
The overall South West Happiest Workplace award winner was Circle Bath Hospital, which was praised for its ‘truly-inspiring’ ethos and environment.
Maxine Bennett, director of Bristol-based Wylde IA, said: “This year the Happiest Workplace competition attracted a record number of entries from businesses and we have been overwhelmed by the quality of workplaces.
“We’ve had to make some tough decisions, which hasn’t been easy, but Circle Bath Hospital stood out for us – they’ve created a genuinely inspirational workplace.”
Triodos Bank UK head of human resources Gorse Burrett said: “At Triodos we have found that designing rewarding jobs, developing skills and providing a healthy office environment are key to a happy workplace.
“But real job satisfaction comes from working towards shared goals and pursuing shared values. Triodos are very fortunate to have a great mix of talented and passionate people. Our day-to-day operations at Triodos are clearly enabling positive social and environmental change which gives us all a boost and makes us proud to work here.” 
Karen McMahon at Shiner added: “We’re delighted to have won this award, which confirms something we already suspected. Shiner is a special place and so is everyone that works here.
“‘Work hard, play hard’ is a tired cliché but it’s something that really applies to Shiner. To honour this, we will now go on to celebrate our win….with smiles firmly in place.”
At Ghyston, Emily Hill said the firm put a huge emphasis on both client and employee happiness, and are dedicated to creating an environment where people love to come to work.
“We were delighted to have won and have really enjoyed seeing what other companies are doing to promote happiness in the workplace. We’re aiming to be even happier in 2018.”
The awards ceremony was staged at Georgian manor house-turned-business centre Hartham Park, near Corsham, Wiltshire, which was recently refurbished by Wylde IA to embrace more flexible ways of working.
The competition was supported by seating company Boss Design, carpet manufacturer Milliken, interior products company Vescom and iconic lamp manufacturer Anglepoise; all of which have donated prizes for the winner.
The Happiest Workplace competition is supported by Bristol Business News and its sister titles.
Pictured, from top: Triodos’s Bristol HQ, Triodos, Ghyston, Shiner and PES receive their Happiest Workplace trophies from Wylde IA and Bristol Business News at the awards ceremony
