North-Tyneside based, Carney Consultancy is supporting its employees with bonuses and internal initiatives, such as a healthy eating at work campaign, to combat the rising cost of living and ongoing energy crisis.
Existing employee bonuses range between £750 to £1,250, based on the hours each employee works, and the company is now reviewing the scheme with a view to increasing the level of payment for all members of staff next year.
Established in 2002, Carney Consultancy is a specialist health, safety, environmental and quality consultancy and training provider for the construction and engineering sectors.
In its 20th anniversary year, the company has developed a strong reputation for being socially responsible and supporting the wellbeing of its staff and the mental health of construction workers in general.
Managing director, Angela Carney, said: “For anyone who knows our business, wellbeing, whether it is mental, or physical, and developing a strong team culture, are our priorities.
“Professionalism, quality service, dependability and perseverance, are our core values and a true reflection of who we always strive to be.
“We are all grappling with the impact of higher-costs and we have looked at the best ways to support our team. Profit related bonuses are something we have always offered but we are looking to review our bonus scheme again in May with the aim of offering all staff higher benefits.
“Listening to the needs of our team and supporting them is integral to our success. For example, it has resulted in colleagues working flexibly from home and video meetings as opposed to travelling for face-to-face meetings.
As well as reviewing bonusses, the team at Carney Consultancy is also embarking on its own better health at work campaign.
Angela added, “We thought it would be a positive idea to encourage healthy eating at work and so we take it in turns to cook several days a week.
“We have been making slow cooker meals for colleagues, who are also encouraged to take any leftovers home. We bought some vegetarian cook books and buy ingredients and enjoy a range of healthy lunch options, including vegetarian omelettes, curries and hearty soups. It also provides us with the chance to take time out and catch up with each other.
“I firmly believe investing in staff health and wellbeing can vastly increase productivity, improve staff retention and profitability for all.”
Earlier this year, Carney Consultancy announced the launch of a mental health awareness programme to help support the wellbeing of men in construction, the sector with the highest number of male suicides, year on year. ‘Come On Lads Let’s Talk’ offers face-to-face, online, telephone and ‘walk and talk’ counselling or therapy with trained professionals, with the first six sessions paid for by Carney Consultancy.
Catriona Lingwood, chief executive at Constructing Excellence in the North East (CENE), said: “We applaud the steps that Carney Consultancy has in place to support its staff.
“Angela Carney is a board member of CENE and is well respected for her professionalism and support for a number of industry initiatives, be that mental health and wellbeing, supporting young people into the sector and championing women in construction.
“It comes as no surprise that Carney Consultancy has put measures in place to help support its team during tough socio-economic times.”
