Company Profile

Marks & Spencer Money

Evidence of a positive working environment

Providing a first class Catering environment for all customers and employees has always been the goal of the M&S Money Catering team. We operate a strong teamwork principle with everyone actively encouraged to participate in department decisions and to take responsibility for the ongoing success of the function. We operate a reward system where if certain targets are met the whole department is rewarded. The last reward was given when the team achieved the highest employee survey score for the whole of M&S Money. This was recognition for the efforts that everyone had made to improve the environment and atmosphere of the area which was subsequently reflected in the survey scores. The team were taken to Chester races on full hospitality for the day; this encourages great team work and motivates every member of the Catering team to run the department to it's full potential.

Evidence of continued professional development

The Catering team have an ongoing programme of training and development to continually improve the service offered to the business. In the past 12 months six members of the team have undertaken NVQ qualifications, all of them achieving the required standard. We have an in-house catering trainer who is accredited to RIPHH and all employees are fully trained in menu nutrition and COSHH. For the last two years the department have held a platinum 'Eat Well' award from Chester City Council. This recognises food businesses that actively promote and practice good food hygiene and offer healthier choices on their menus. Twice a year the Catering team attends a wine tasting event to upskill employees at the same time as having a fun evening. In addition all managers in the Catering team have been through a company training programme to ensure they are role models of our company values. This also means that we have a consistent approach to management within the function. All members of the team have monthly one to one meetings with their line manager. This is in addition to six and twelve month performance reviews to ensure everyone is fully aware of what is expected of them

Evidence of equal opportunities and work-life balance

The Catering department at M&S Money strives to offer a work life balance to all employees. We aim to make it a great place to work as well as respecting the free time of our employees. Flexible working patterns are available to all members of the team. This includes the choice of early or late starts as well as offering a fixed working rota so team members know their shift patterns a year in advance. Employees are also entitled to submit flexible working requests to enable them to reduce hours or days to accommodate family commitments with work. All Catering employees are encouraged to take responsibility for different aspects of the department and are set targets which contribute towards their annual review. We offer a structured career progression progamme within the department and operate a policy of promoting from within. From day one of their employment a career path can be established for those members of the team wishing to progress. Within the last 12 months four members of the team have been promoted to senior positions within the department. Training and development is ongoing for everyone.

Evidence of measures taken to assess effectiveness

At M&S Money we conduct an employee survey once a year for the entire company. The survey contains questions which aim to assess the feelings and attitudes of employees. Once the results are published areas requiring improvements are highlighted and action plans put into place with the aim of making M&S Money a great place to work. In the 2005 survey the Catering department received an employee engagement score of 68%. This required attention and over the next 12 months the management team put plans in place to assess what employees felt was required to improve the department. As a result of their feedback a number of new initatives were introduced. The company restaurant was refurbished and re-launched as 'GO Dining', a structured career progression programme was introduced, a generous incentive scheme was implemented and new uniforms were chosen by the team themselves. In 2006 the Catering department received an employee engagement score of 92%. This was the top score for any department in the company and a clear reflection of everyone's efforts. Our aim now is to maintain the excellent levels of employee engagement that we have worked so hard to achieve.

Profile provided by Marks & Spencer Money

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