Work Christmas Do? We’d rather have work Christmas dosh!

The traditional work Christmas party could be dead following new research revealing that the majority of UK workers would prefer a festive financial bonus over a staff Christmas party.

Awkward small talk (45%) and annoying drunk co-workers were cited as two of the most-hated things about seasonal celebrations with colleagues, according to research by Love2shop.

83% would choose a Christmas bonus or gift over a staff party, with over half (56%) not bothered about having a work celebration at all and almost a quarter (24%) saying they don’t like socialising with colleagues outside of work.

Workers say a £110 payment would be a sufficient alternative to a Yuletide soiree, according to the study, with 92% saying they would at least like to be given a choice between the two.

Around one in five workers (19%) want to receive this bonus in the form of a gift card or voucher, the data shows.

Surprisingly, the poll of 2,000 Brits revealed the average worker is forced to contribute £33 to fund their staff Christmas party to finance costs such as food, drink and decorations.

Just one in 20 Brits (5%) are lucky enough to get both a Christmas party and a financial bonus at Christmas.

Exactly half of UK workers (50%) generally do Secret Santa with their colleagues, with the average expenditure on a present amounting to £14.

Younger people aged 18-24 spend more than double the amount on their present than older co-workers, splashing an average of £23 compared to £9 for those aged 55-64.

According to the study, Secret Santa is particularly disliked in Scotland, with just one in twenty Scots (5%) saying they enjoy participating – the lowest number in the UK.

Frank Creighton, Director of Business Development at leading gifting and engagement experts Love2shop, said that the research findings were a clear indication that festive financial rewards are exponentially increasing in popularity.

He said: “Everybody has experienced a rise in their cost of living since the pandemic, so it’s hardly a surprise to see the work Christmas party become less and less of a priority as people struggle to make ends meet during the festive period.

“This should be a wake-up call for UK business owners to start listening to what their employees want – and that’s a financial bonus. The money that would otherwise go on a seasonal celebration could be better spent going straight into the pocket of employees.

“While the benefits of a cash injection in December are evident, employers should also note the knock-on effect it can have on their workforce, increasing morale and retention rates in the long run.”

You can explore Love2shop’s gift card range at https://business.love2shop.co.uk/

The Ultimate Student’s Guide to Surviving Uni Life

It’s that time of the year again when eager minds fly the nest and descend upon universities up and down the country, forging new friendships and testing their fledgling cooking skills (FYI, we’re partial to adding a dash of grated cheese to our beans on toast).

Fear not, brave students, we have your back with this comprehensive survival guide to help you master your uni journey.

Essentials for Your Survival Kit

Let’s start with the basics. These must-haves give us all the tools to thrive during our time at university:

  • Stationery Galore: Stock up on pens, notebooks, and all the tools needed for our studies. Who knows, our scribbles might become art masterpieces one day. A Harvard University study on doodling found it helps students decrease stress and – despite what your lecturers might say –improves overall focus.
  • Laptop and Charger: Our trusty sidekick for lectures, assignments (and Netflix binging during those well-deserved study breaks). If we start feeling burned out after a marathon study session, it’s in our best interest to wind down. Not only does our brain stop absorbing information after a while, but increased stress levels lead to lack of sleep deprivation, mental health issues and, over time, can result in students choosing to drop out.
  • Textbooks (or E-books): This is a pro tip: Check the uni library or online retailers like eBay before spending a fortune on brand new books. Alternatively, if you have a Purple Card from Park or a Love2shop Contactless Gift Card, you can spend it at Blackwells bookstores. They stock a huge selection of university textbooks across a range of courses and often have great student offers.
  • Calendar or Planner: A well-organised schedule is your ticket to success. One of the best ways to reduce stress levels is to map out your time. It decreases the likelihood of last-minute panicking and hasty decision-making. Avoid having to cram in a whole year’s worth of studying before an exam by plotting out when you need to work or study in advance.
  • A Comfy Chair: We’ll be spending countless hours sitting writing dissertations or researching complex ideas, so we need a throne fit for a scholar. It’s still important to take regular screen breaks, as well as stretching and moving around to ensure our bodies are in top shape and the blood is flowing. Mental wellbeing connects to how we feel on a physical level.

The Art of Budgeting

Getting our student loan is exciting, all of a sudden we’re totally in control of our finances. But we’re also TOTALLY IN CONTROL OF OUR FINANCES!

They can vanish quicker than we think, so here’s how to make our student loans stretch:

  • Student Discounts: Unlock a world of student discounts. From clothes to cinema tickets, there’s a deal for just about everything. NUS offers many deals but you can also join UNiDAYS for exclusive deals. Remember to check in with your local student union too, – they can point you towards local retailers and businesses that offer discounts.
  • Cooking Skills: We all start with the basics, but by learning to whip up some budget-friendly meals you can really make those students loans last. Get creative and your flatmates will thank you for your culinary delights (or at least pretend to). Check out BBC Good Food’s list of student recipes.
  • Second-Hand Treasures: Hit up charity shops, vintage shops and online marketplaces for textbooks, furniture, and fashion. Sustainable and wallet-friendly – talk about killing two birds with one stone!

Making Friends (AKA Surviving Social Situations)

University life isn’t just about books and lectures; it’s a social adventure too where we start to figure out who we will become. Here’s how to navigate it like a pro:

  • Join Clubs and Societies: Whether we’re into all things Harry Potter, sports, debating philosophical ideologies, role playing games or something really obscure like underwater basket weaving, there’s a club for everything. It’s the easiest way to find like-minded souls and invest time in yourself, making steadfast friends in the process.
  • Flatmate Harmony: Keep the peace with roomies by agreeing some basic ground rule at the start. Practice the art of compromise and remember: don’t let dirty dishes build up. There’s nothing more gross or more likely to cause an argument.
  • Explore and Have Fun: Wherever we go to university, the destination is likely a treasure trove of new experiences. From hidden pubs to quirky museums, go out and explore. Just remember to do so safely, with friends. We might even make some new ones along the way.

Coping with the Academic Rollercoaster

University can be academically challenging – that’s the point. But don’t fret; you’ve got this:

  • Time Management: Plan your time wisely, so you don’t end up pulling all-nighters fuelled by coffee and panic.
  • Seek Help When Needed: Professors, tutors and academic advisors are there to assist you. Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance if you’re struggling.
  • Stay Healthy: A balanced diet, regular exercise and plenty of sleep are your secret weapons against everything, from nodding off in lectures to the dreaded freshers’ flu.

Mastering Time Management

Now, this has come up a couple of times in this article. So let’s talk about time management. It’s the key to balancing lectures, social life and binging on streaming TV:

  • Use a Timetable: Create a weekly timetable that includes classes, study time and social activities. Stick to it as best as you can, but don’t try to micromanage every moment. Spontaneity is good for the soul.
  • Set Realistic Goals: Break our assignments into smaller, more manageable tasks. Crossing off mini-achievements is oddly satisfying – definitely invest in a checklist notepad.
  • Beware the Procrastination Pit: TikTok, Netflix, Instagram, and YouTube can be tempting distractions. Use apps like ‘Forest’ to stay focused, or we can put our devices away until our studies are over.

The Magic of Study Groups

Studying doesn’t have to be a solitary experience. Here’s how study groups can help:

  • Brainpower Multiplied: Sharing ideas and knowledge with fellow students can lead to some light bulb moments we might never have on our own. Eureka!
  • Peer Pressure (the good kind): Not letting down our study buddies can be a powerful motivator to stay on track. We don’t what to be that person in the group project.
  • Snacks & Silliness: Let’s face it; study breaks with friends are all about snacks and funny anecdotes. Just remember to get some work done too!

Surviving Exams with Flying Colours

Exams are the ultimate academic showdown. Here’s how to come out victorious:

  • Revision Strategy: Start early and create a revision schedule. Review your notes, make flashcards, and tackle practice papers.
  • Exam-Day Essentials: On the big day, don’t forget your ID, pens, pencils, and a bottle of water. Arrive early, stay calm and give it your best shot.
  • Post-Exam Celebrations: No matter how it goes, treat yourself to a post-exam celebration. You’ve earned it!

Money Matters and Budget-Friendly Hacks

Being a student often means navigating a financial tightrope. Here’s how to stretch those pounds without falling off:

  • Budget Apps: Use budgeting apps to keep track of our spending. It’s like having a personal financial advisor in your back pocket.
  • Part-Time Work: Consider part-time jobs or freelance gigs to boost our income. Just remember not to overdo it and neglect your studies – education comes first.
  • Bulk Cooking: Batch-cook meals and freeze them. It’s a lifesaver on those nights when the thought of cooking is just too much – especially after a long day in the library or one too many drinks.

Embrace ‘Failure’ as a Learning Opportunity

Life at uni isn’t all smooth sailing. It’s okay to stumble now and then but we’re never ‘failing’ just learning:

  • Learn from Mistakes: When we mess up, we shouldn’t be hard on ourselves. Instead, learn from it and let it fuel our personal growth. Remember, if we miss the target, we’ve taken another step to hitting the next one. And no, we didn’t get that from a fortune cookie!
  • Seek Support: If we’re feeling overwhelmed, reach out to university counselling services, or talk to a trusted friend or family member. A problem shared is a problem halved, simply talking can help us process challenges and figure out solutions.
  • Laugh at Yourself: Sometimes, all you can do is laugh at your own misadventures. Trust us; you’ll have some great stories to tell in the future.

Embrace the Adventure

University isn’t always a direct route to our future careers; it’s a journey filled with memories, friendships and life lessons that help us develop ourselves as people. Embrace the ups and downs, and don’t forget to have a good laugh along the way.

Remember, university be a transformative experience. Every challenge faced is an opportunity for growth. So, with this treasure trove of advice at our fingertips, we’re ready to take on the world of higher education with a grin. Enjoy the ride and we may your university years are filled with joy, success and lifelong memories. Embrace the adventure!

With this survival guide and a dash of good luck from your friends at Love2shop, it’s time to conquer the world of university. Go on, make memories and remember: the library is your sanctuary, but student societies or the pub are your refuge. We’ll be raising a glass to an unforgettable uni experience!

Nearly one-fifth of UK employees – 5.5 million people – feel undervalued at work

PRESS RELEASE

SEPTEMBER 2023

NEARLY ONE-FIFTH OF UK EMPLOYEES – 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE – FEEL UNDERVALUED AT WORK

  • 8-in-10 undervalued employees are looking to leave their current role
  • Over half claim their productivity increases when they feel valued
  • Almost 90% of workers feel more valued after receiving a gift card

A new report has found that almost a fifth of UK employees, around 5.5 million people, feel undervalued at work.

The Love2shop Employee Value Report is the second annual survey of UK workers commissioned by leading UK reward, incentive and gifting experts Love2shop.

This year it has revealed that of those who feel undervalued in the workplace, 8-in-10 are looking to leave their current role. Over a quarter, around 1.5 million workers, said they are actually willing to leave their current role without another job lined up – despite the rising cost of living

Julian Coghlan, Managing Director of Love2shop, said that the report’s findings were a warning to employers who are still not engaging with employees.

“Everyone has seen the impact of rising costs this year,” he said. “It’s a major concern that, even when times are tough, so many UK workers are so unhappy they would seriously consider leaving without a job to go to.

“Last year our report revealed a significant problem with employee value in the UK. While some employers have taken action since then to improve overall happiness, millions of workers still feel disengaged from the business they work for.

“This should be a wake-up call for UK businesses. The cost of recruiting new talent and training them to replace outgoing staff far outweighs the cost of implementing a reward and recognition structure that would improve employee happiness, loyalty and productivity.”

The Love2shop Employee Value Report feeds into a wider picture of employee happiness and value. According to the Workforce Institute for example, one-in-three workers would rather quit their job rather than voice concerns at work.

“Communication is critical,” said Julian. “Unfortunately it seems that there are still many workplaces where staff do not feel comfortable or confident in raising concerns. That can cause issues around health and safety, and it erodes people’s motivation and satisfaction in their job.

“Better communication and conversations in the workplace is a really cost effective way to improve value, as in many cases the only critical investment required is time.”

Employers are potentially facing problems down the line too. The number of employees looking for a new role rises amongst the younger demographic, with 87% of Gen Z actively pursuing a different job. Without a pipeline of young talent to replace outgoing, experienced workers, businesses could find themselves falling headfirst into a skills gap.

“Emerging strongly from a challenging economic period is a lot harder if you can’t retain talent,” said Julian. “But there are easy ways you can begin to improve employee happiness.”

When it comes to rewards, nearly 6 in 10 employees say that days off, flexible working hours and multi-retailer gift cards were the best ways for companies to reward employees.

Nearly 90% of UK employees said they would feel more valued if their boss surprised them with a multi-retailer gift card as a spontaneous gift. More than half (57%) of employees – almost 17.2 million people – claimed their productivity increases when they feel valued.

However, 47% of respondents reported they had never received spontaneous gifts from their employer. Long-term, this is impacting recruitment as over two thirds (67%) of UK employees surveyed said they check a company’s reward system, culture, employee happiness ratings and reviews before applying for a job.

And in a sign of the continuing impact of the rising cost of living, 34% of workers revealed if they were to receive a multi-retailer gift card from their company, they would spend it on the weekly shop – while 12% would use it to buy school essentials for their children.

Regionally, the report found workers in Liverpool feel more underappreciated than anywhere else in the UK, with over a quarter (27%) of those in the city region feeling undervalued in the workplace.

Workers in the North West felt broadly the same as those in Liverpool, with more than a fifth (21%) reporting feeling undervalued.

Elsewhere in England, Southampton scored the highest for employee value, with 61% of people scoring highly for feelings of appreciation at work.

“With food and fuel prices rising, mortgage rates increasing and energy costs remaining high, even small rewards can make a real difference in employee’s lives,” said Julian.

“They can also make a difference to business. Investing in people is a sound strategy for growth and at Love2shop, our expert team helps UK businesses build effective strategies to engage with employees and improve happiness and performance.”

To read the report, visit business.love2shop.co.uk/love2shop-employee-value-report-2023.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Survey data taken from a Censuswide poll of 2,000 employed UK adults in August 2023

About Love2shop

 Love2shop – part of the PayPoint Group – is the UK’s number one multi-retailer gifting provider. Its range of Love2shop Gift Cards, e-Gift Cards and Gift Vouchers offer consumers the choice to spend at more than 140 high-street and online retail partners.

As well as personal gifting, Love2shop products are widely used in customer and employee engagement and consumer incentive programmes to provide recognition and rewards that offer real value to the recipients.

Love2shop also provides holiday gift vouchers through Love2shop Holidays and single-retailer gift cards for some of the high street’s biggest names – from Marks and Spencer to John Lewis.

Love2shop Gift Cards are flexecash products regulated by the FCA. Flexecash is the pre-paid card platform which issues Love2shop Cards. This facility is provided by Park Card Services Ltd who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 [90001] for the issuing of electronic money.

Discover more: business.love2shop.co.uk

How gift cards are reducing pressure on the NHS

PRESS RELEASE

AUGUST 2023

HOW GIFT CARDS ARE HELPING REDUCE PRESSURE ON THE NHS AS DEMAND FOR EFFECTIVE INCENTIVES ALMOST DOUBLES IN FIVE YEARS

  •  Dr Heather May Morgan says incentives “reduce pressure” on healthcare services
  • Volume of gift card orders by NHS trust accounts increased by 155% from 2020-22

Gift card incentives are helping reduce the pressure on the NHS as the number of healthcare trusts using them to incentivise patients to be healthier has doubled in the last five years.

Healthcare is experiencing a transformative trend as financial incentives flourish to complement the already well-established and growing demand for patient incentives in research settings – with both now a crucial aspect of actual healthcare provider conditions.

This shift has generated traction in recent years, with incentives successfully motivating patients to make positive changes in their health-related decisions and potentially reducing healthcare costs for providers.

According to latest data, the total spend by NHS trust accounts on gift cards has more than doubled, increasing by 155%, since 2020.

Meanwhile, figures show that in just five years the overall number of NHS Trusts using gift cards from Love2Shop, one of the UK’s leading providers, has almost doubled – from 88 Trusts in 2018 to 173 in 2023.

The trend is evidence that vouchers are emerging as a favoured alternative to cash rewards, as they provide a more dignified form of incentive for patients and aren’t perceived as something akin to welfare.

Health issues targeted through incentives include efforts to quit smoking, decrease alcohol consumption, and combat obesity.

According to experts, tailoring incentives to individual preferences is crucial in motivating healthier behaviours. By providing incentives that resonate with the patient’s preferences and circumstances, the motivation to pursue healthier behaviours is heightened.

An effective approach to implementing patient incentives is to utilise a tiered system. This often involves offering an initial reward to incentivise engagement, followed by top-up payments as patients achieve specified milestones.

Dr Heather May Morgan is Dean for Enterprise & Innovation and a Senior Lecturer at the University of Aberdeen.

She has experience with patient incentives in healthcare after contributing to a National Institute for Health and Care Research study into the benefits of incentives for breastfeeding and smoking cessation in pregnancy.

Dr Morgan said: “There is evidence to show that patient incentives work in different ways for different people.

“Studies indicate incentives can successfully engage people to entertain and adopt certain healthy behaviours, while repeated rewards can help sustain them.

“These incentives work best when they are structured and part of a programme in which patients also have access to healthcare and additional support.

“When implemented correctly, the result is better health outcomes for patients and reduced pressure on healthcare services.

“That’s why we are seeing patient incentives, which are both widely accepted and provably effective in a range of contexts, increasingly being used in healthcare.”

Love2shop’s own portfolio of healthcare and NHS Trust clients extends throughout the UK and supports a broad range of incentivised programmes including smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, obesity support and reducing alcohol consumption.

Alex Speed, Head of Client Development at Love2shop said: “As a leading reward and recognition company, we have seen the volume of gift cards used by healthcare and NHS Trust clients as financial incentives almost double since 2018.

“Judging from the results for these incentivised programmes – which have been published in leading healthcare publications such as the British Medical Journal – we know the return on investment continues to prompt a year-on-year increase in demand for our Love2shop Gift Cards.

“We see firsthand how multi-retail gift cards allow healthcare providers to offer one product to a huge range of people and still satisfy each individual’s needs or interests.

“For instance, many recipients of a Love2shop Gift Card redeem it in a shop to treat themselves, but others might use them to re-stock food cupboards or buy essential items to help manage the challenging costs of living given the vast range of brands and shops they can access with our gift cards.

“These client collaborations allow us to support positive health behaviour change throughout the UK while expanding our market reach and strengthening our brand’s reputation. We’re dedicated to providing tailored gift card solutions that contribute to better health outcomes for all and foster lasting partnerships with healthcare clients.”

To find out more, visit: Love2shop in Healthcare | Love2shop

ENDS 

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Love2shop

Love2shop – part of the PayPoint Group – is the UK’s number one multi-retailer gifting provider. Its range of Love2shop Gift Cards, e-Gift Cards and Gift Vouchers offer consumers the choice to spend at more than 140 high-street and online retail partners.

As well as personal gifting, Love2shop products are widely used in customer and employee engagement and consumer incentive programmes to provide recognition and rewards that offer real value to the recipients.

Love2shop also provides holiday gift vouchers through Love2shop Holidays and single-retailer gift cards for some of the high street’s biggest names – from Marks and Spencer to John Lewis.

Love2shop Gift Cards are flexecash products regulated by the FCA. Flexecash is the pre-paid card platform which issues Love2shop Cards. This facility is provided by Park Card Services Ltd who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 [90001] for the issuing of electronic money.

Discover more: https://www.highstreetvouchers.com

Rewards are a powerful tool to accelerate healthcare productivity

Productivity is a word often used by economists but frequently misunderstood by the wider public.

So when media reports talk about the UK’s lack of productivity there is an assumption in some people’s minds that what is being implied is that we are not working hard enough. However, in reality, that is rarely the case.

Simply put, productivity is a measure of output. It can refer to how many cars an automotive manufacturer produces or how many elective surgeries a hospital carries out, both within a specified timescale.

This article will explain the different elements that affect productivity and outline how rewards, such as vouchers, can provide a powerful tool to help raise productivity in multiple workplace settings and, in particular, in healthcare.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics, which covers England and Wales, output per hour worked was just 0.6% above its pre-pandemic 2019 average in the first quarter of 2023.

This means the UK’s productivity on the same shallow upward trajectory that it has been on since the financial crisis. And it is well below the healthy trend that prevailed between the early 1970s and 2008. It matters because lower productivity means lower wages.

A study commissioned by consultancy Be the Business showed the  proportion of UK employers that have taken steps to improve or try regularly to measure and improve productivity is slightly down or unchanged since 2020.

It added that around 37% of organisations have discussed or planned improvements — up eight percentage points between 2020 and 2022 — but have not yet taken action.

So what are the main factors that can affect productivity? On this there is a wide consensus among experts and any list will almost certainly include:

  • Workplace environment and culture
  • Training and career development
  • Systems and processes
  • Pay structures
  • Employee wellness and morale
  • Technology

It is well established that streamlining and simplifying work processes and implementing new technology can improve productivity. Automation, for example, is more likely to free people up to carry out more productive roles than it is to cost jobs.

‘Our people are our greatest asset’ has become a common mantra among employers but how many managers are equipped to move that mindset from abstraction to practical reality?

We often associate productivity with the private sector. However, it is equally important in the public sector particularly in areas such as healthcare, where outcomes can literally be the difference between life and death.

NHS England data show that in March 2023 the service handled 9% fewer emergency admissions, 5% fewer outpatient appointments and 11% fewer elective and maternity admissions than in the same month in 2019.

During COVID-19 we asked so much from our health and social care professionals. And they delivered. Their dedication, professionalism and work ethic saved countless lives and continue to do so every day.

A report published in June 2023, written jointly by the Institute for Government and Public First, and funded by the Health Foundation, sought to discover why output in NHS hospitals was lagging, even in places that had seen extra investment and staffing.

Among the findings was that some hospitals were “chronically undermanaged” and that managers have too many constraints and poor incentives.

People who work in hospitals and other healthcare settings are human just like the rest of us. They want to come to work each day to an environment that is safe, welcoming, where they feel motivated and appreciated.

When these things are absent and people become unhappy and demotivated then productivity inevitably drops.

People may still carry out their work with care and diligence but may also have a ‘let’s just get the day over with mindset’. It is human nature and it can happen to any of us.

As we see from the list above there are multiple factors that contribute to productivity. Employee morale and motivation have a big part to play and incentives and rewards have been proven to offer a positive and measurable benefit.

The Love2shop team are the experts in this area and for the past 50 years they have partnered with thousands of employers, in the public and private sectors, to enable them to provide rewards and recognition for their teams.

Love2shop is one of the most powerful gifting brands in the UK. Available as a physical voucher, gift card or digital e-gift card, Love2shop is accepted by 150+ retailers.

These include well-known brands such as Marks & Spencer, Wilko, Iceland, Matalan, Argos, Costa, Harvester, Tui and Jet2Holidays and many, many more.

Each year Love2shop publishes valuable research into the impact of well-planned employee reward programmes.

In its most recent survey, 13,000 people were asked about what they thought were the best rewards. The results were no surprise. They revealed people love choice and they love gift cards.

Such rewards can be used to incentivise workplace targets, for both individuals and teams. They can be utilised to reward workplace achievements such as completing a training course or for an exceptional piece of work. A simple act of recognition can have a long-lasting effect on an employee. People like to feel valued.

Love2shop has proven its model works and this is demonstrated by the sharp increase in the number of NHS trusts working with the team to deliver rewards to their dedicated and hard-working teams.

In the 2022/23 financial year Love2shop provided 41,282 gift cards to the NHS with a total value of almost £1.5m. In 2018 it worked with 88 NHS trusts. By 2020 this had grown to 100 and in 2023 Love2shop is now working with 173 NHS trusts.

From an initial inquiry, the team Love2shop can work with an NHS Trust or any other health or social care provider to have a bespoke, easy to administer, data driven incentives programme up and running in weeks via its Love2shop Engagement Platform.

Productivity is a complex and multifaceted concept and it is universally recognised that a happy and well-motivated team, in healthcare or any other setting, will consistently produce better outcomes.

Rewards are a powerful motivational tool to have at your disposal. To find out more about how Love2shop rewards support the healthcare sector, read our FREE Love2shop in Healthcare Guide.

Read our previous blogs…

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Love2shop – ranked a ‘Best Workplace for Women’ in prestigious 2023 list

PRESS RELEASE

20 July 2023

LOVE2SHOP RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE ‘UK’S BEST WORKPLACES FOR WOMEN’ IN PRESTIGIOUS 2023 LIST

Leading gifting and engagement expert, Love2Shop, has been officially crowned one of the best places to work for women in the UK, according to the Great Place to Work List 2023 announced today.

The prestigious annual list, now in its sixth year, showcases the largest collection of Best Workplaces for Women that the UK has ever recognised. According to Great Place to Work, these “exceptional companies have redefined workplace culture, setting a new standard for gender equality and inclusion. From robust talent development programmes to fair pay and benefits, these workplaces prioritise the success and wellbeing of their female employees.”

With more than 250 employees, the gift card, customer loyalty and employee engagement specialist – and sister brand, Park Christmas Savings – is thrilled to be listed (#55 out of #89 in the UK’s ‘large organisations’ category).

Claire Jones, People and Integration Director at Love2shop, said: “To be recognised by a prestigious company like Great Place to Work for being one of the best places to work for women in the UK makes us all feel very proud.

“It means we are doing something right. And it means that we have generated a strong and positive workplace for women – where they are respected and empowered to develop as professionals, whether that’s because they want to advance in their careers or because they want to be, and do, their best in their day-to-day work.

“As the award is prompted by our own employees’ responses to annual surveys, it reflects authentic attitudes of the people in the company. And that’s particularly vindicating for everyone to know: together, we are creating and achieving great things!

As well as being the UK’s number one gift card provider, Love2Shop also works with businesses to create customer loyalty and employee engagement strategies using data to drive reward and recognition more effectively. While Park Christmas Savings is the leading – and longest-running – Christmas Savings Club in the UK; it has been going for over 55 years and more than three million families have saved for Christmas with ‘Park’.

The data behind the list of top UK businesses is collected from a survey of each company’s employees, measuring how staff feel about workplace culture. Love2shop was already ranked as one of the ‘Best Workplaces in the UK’ (#32) as part of the Great Place to Work engagement survey in April – and before that, as a ‘Best Workplace for Wellbeing’ listing (#42).

The confidential feedback was collected by Great Place to Work through a rigorous survey. The data was evaluated independently to conclude a ranking for each employer. Love2shop was placed 55 out of a total of 89 companies which secured an official ranking in the final list.

Employees provided insight into their experiences of trust and how employers helped them improve in order to reach their full potential as part of their organisation. Great Place to Work also looked at employees’ daily experiences of innovations, the company’s values and the effectiveness of their leaders to ensure a consistent experience across departments and seniority levels.

Visit https://business.love2shop.co.uk/ to learn more about how employee engagement can drive performance in your organisation. Or www.getpark.co.uk to find out more about the UK’s best-loved and longest-running Christmas Savings Club: Park Christmas Savings.

ENDS.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Love2shop

Love2shop – part of the PayPoint Group – is the UK’s number one multi-retailer gifting provider. Its range of Love2shop Gift Cards, e-Gift Cards and Gift Vouchers offer consumers the choice to spend at more than 140 high-street and online retail partners.

As well as personal gifting, Love2shop products are widely used in customer and employee engagement and consumer incentive programmes to provide recognition and rewards that offer real value to the recipients.

Love2shop also provides holiday gift vouchers through Love2shop Holidays and single-retailer gift cards for some of the high street’s biggest names – from Marks and Spencer to John Lewis.

Love2shop Gift Cards are flexecash products regulated by the FCA. Flexecash is the pre-paid card platform which issues Love2shop Cards. This facility is provided by Park Card Services Ltd who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 [90001] for the issuing of electronic money.

Discover more: https://www.highstreetvouchers.com

Will universities pay the price for student crisis? New cost of living report reveals shocking data 

A shocking new report by Love2shop has found that the cost of living crisis is driving students into financial difficulty – and universities may soon pay the price.

You can download the full report for free here, but our research1 found that 57% of students – 1.6 million2 – were considering dropping-out of university as a result of rising living costs. If only 50% of those students go ahead and leave, universities will be facing lost revenue of around £40bn.

And it has already started. We polled 2,000 students across the UK and 68% said they knew someone who had already left university because of the cost of living.

“If this continues, we could see fewer students graduating and even more choosing not to continue into higher education,” said Love2shop Director of Business Development, Frank Creighton.

“The result could be a shortfall in critical areas like the NHS, where we may see fewer nurses qualify, and we could also see a brain drain in important sectors like advanced engineering, where students decide to study outside of the UK.”

The report also found that a further 55% – representing around 1.5 million students – responded to say they had used a food bank as they couldn’t afford to eat.

The figures are stark – 87% of students have skipped meals to save on food costs. And experts say the issue may even get worse, after recent research from economic consultancy London Economics found student loan reforms unveiled by government last year will only benefit the country’s best-paid graduates3.

The changes to the maintenance loan system mean graduates entering into lower and middle income jobs, such as nursing and teaching, face an increase in their total lifetime repayments of more than £30,000, according to the analysis.

Meanwhile, higher income graduates earning in excess of £51,000 a year will see their total repayments plunge by around £25,000, say London Economics’ experts, who have labelled the reforms as “deeply regressive”.

“It’s really worrying to see how many students are considering dropping out or have already left because of the devastating financial impact of the increased cost of living,” said Frank. “This should be a huge concern for universities.

“For many students this is their first time living independently away from home. They should be able to focus on their studies, not worry about skipping meals in order to pay their bills. This is also a potential problem for universities. Fewer students – or poor results due to the pressures students are under – will have a significant impact on university finances.

“It’s time to start looking at practical solutions across the board to help all students deal with these challenges.”

Despite all this, 64% of students responded to the survey saying they received no cost of living support from their university and only one-in-five (20%) say have been offered a financial incentive specifically linked to continuing their course.

Just 14% of students say they have received cost of living support from their university in the form of a voucher or gift card, yet 49% think universities could improve their support by doing so.

Love2shop already works with a number of universities to provide gift cards or contactless digital gift cards to offer students.

While the range of Love2shop physical and digital gift cards can be redeemed in more than one hundred high-street and online retailers, universities can limit the number available to ensure cost of living payments are only used with retail partners that specialise in essential items.

“This data indicates that while there is some support for students, they are still facing some severe challenges and difficult choices,” said Frank. “We need to consider a different way to support them that makes a real difference to students and is cost effective and secure for universities.

“Gift cards offer a practical solution. They allow academic institutions to support their students through these difficult times and ensure financial aid provided is spent on the intended necessities, be that food, clothing or textbooks. Our survey data shows students themselves would welcome this more secure, consistent approach to support.”

Download the full report now at www.appreciate.co.uk/love2shop-uk-student-cost-of-living-report-2023 or contact us on 0330 333 1201 or [email protected] to see how we can help your institution deliver a more effective emergency support programme.

 

Footnotes

1: Survey of 2,000 UK students conducted by Censuswide

2: Based on most recent Higher Education Statistics Agency data: in 2020/21 the UK had 2,862,620 students enrolled in university.

3: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/may/13/nurses-teachers-student-loan-reforms-biggest-squeeze

Student Living Cost Crisis as Love2shop Report Finds More Being Driven into Poverty

A shocking new report by Love2shop has found that the cost of living crisis is driving students into financial difficulty – and universities may soon pay the price.

You can download the full report for free here, but our research1 found that 57% of students – 1.6 million2 – were considering dropping-out of university as a result of rising living costs. If only 50% of those students go ahead and leave, universities will be facing lost revenue of around £40bn.

And it has already started. We polled 2,000 students across the UK and 68% said they knew someone who had already left university because of the cost of living.

“If this continues, we could see fewer students graduating and even more choosing not to continue into higher education,” said Love2shop Director of Business Development, Frank Creighton.

“The result could be a shortfall in critical areas like the NHS, where we may see fewer nurses qualify, and we could also see a brain drain in important sectors like advanced engineering, where students decide to study outside of the UK.”

The report also found that a further 55% – representing around 1.5 million students – responded to say they had used a food bank as they couldn’t afford to eat.

The figures are stark – 87% of students have skipped meals to save on food costs. And experts say the issue may even get worse, after recent research from economic consultancy London Economics found student loan reforms unveiled by government last year will only benefit the country’s best-paid graduates3.

The changes to the maintenance loan system mean graduates entering into lower and middle income jobs, such as nursing and teaching, face an increase in their total lifetime repayments of more than £30,000, according to the analysis.

Meanwhile, higher income graduates earning in excess of £51,000 a year will see their total repayments plunge by around £25,000, say London Economics’ experts, who have labelled the reforms as “deeply regressive”.

“It’s really worrying to see how many students are considering dropping out or have already left because of the devastating financial impact of the increased cost of living,” said Frank. “This should be a huge concern for universities.

“For many students this is their first time living independently away from home. They should be able to focus on their studies, not worry about skipping meals in order to pay their bills. This is also a potential problem for universities. Fewer students – or poor results due to the pressures students are under – will have a significant impact on university finances.

“It’s time to start looking at practical solutions across the board to help all students deal with these challenges.”

Despite all this, 64% of students responded to the survey saying they received no cost of living support from their university and only one-in-five (20%) say have been offered a financial incentive specifically linked to continuing their course.

Just 14% of students say they have received cost of living support from their university in the form of a voucher or gift card, yet 49% think universities could improve their support by doing so.

Love2shop already works with a number of universities to provide gift cards or contactless digital gift cards to offer students.

While the range of Love2shop physical and digital gift cards can be redeemed in more than one hundred high-street and online retailers, universities can limit the number available to ensure cost of living payments are only used with retail partners that specialise in essential items.

“This data indicates that while there is some support for students, they are still facing some severe challenges and difficult choices,” said Frank. “We need to consider a different way to support them that makes a real difference to students and is cost effective and secure for universities.

“Gift cards offer a practical solution. They allow academic institutions to support their students through these difficult times and ensure financial aid provided is spent on the intended necessities, be that food, clothing or textbooks. Our survey data shows students themselves would welcome this more secure, consistent approach to support.”

Download the full report now at business.love2shop.co.uk/love2shop-uk-student-cost-of-living-report-2023 or contact us on 0330 333 1201 to see how we can help your institution deliver a more effective emergency support programme.

ENDS

Footnotes

1: Survey of 2,000 UK students conducted by Censuswide

2: Based on most recent Higher Education Statistics Agency data: in 2020/21 the UK had 2,862,620 students enrolled in university.

3: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/may/13/nurses-teachers-student-loan-reforms-biggest-squeeze

Love2shop crowned one of the UK’s best places to work in prestigious 2023 list

PRESS RELEASE

APRIL 2023

 

LOVE2SHOP CROWNED ONE OF THE UK’S BEST PLACES TO WORK IN PRESTIGIOUS 2023 LIST

Leading gifting and engagement expert, Love2shop, has been officially crowned one of the best places to work in the UK, according to the Best Workplaces Awards 2023.

The prestigious annual list named the company as one of the best businesses to work for in the country. With more than 250 employees, the gift card, customer loyalty and employee engagement specialist is thrilled to be ranked this year.

Claire Jones, People and Integration Director at Love2shop, said: “We are all so incredibly proud to be recognised by Great Place to Work for being one of the best places to work in the UK.

“Love2shop is all about connecting with people and helping to bring joy to the moments that matter most and so, it means a lot to be recognised for successfully connecting with our own people. And for creating a fantastic culture that befits our great teams across the business.

“Pleasingly, it goes to show that our employees recognise that, as a company, we have created a really positive culture and a strong, healthy working relationship.

“By building a team of happy, engaged employees, we are also demonstrating that a positive culture of reward and recognition is the bedrock of a high-performing team.”

As well as being the UK’s number one gift card provider, Love2shop also works with businesses to create customer loyalty and employee engagement strategies using data to drive reward and recognition more effectively.

The data behind the list of top UK businesses is collected from a survey of each company’s own employees, measuring how staff feel about workplace culture. Previously, Love2shop has been ranked on the (unrelated) ‘Best Places to Work for Women’ list in 2021. This year, it has also been named one of Great Place to Work’s ‘Best Places to Work for Wellbeing in the UK’.

The confidential feedback was collected by Great Place to Work through a rigorous survey. The data was evaluated independently to conclude a ranking for each employer. Love2shop was placed 32nd out of a total of 87 companies which managed to get placed.

Employees provided insight into their experiences of trust and how employers helped them improve in order to reach their full potential as part of their organisation. Great Place to Work also looked at employees’ daily experiences of innovations, the company’s values and the effectiveness of their leaders to ensure a consistent experience across departments and seniority levels.

Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work UK, said: “As the global authority on workplace culture, our mission at Great Place to Work has always been to build a better world by helping organisations become a great place to work for all.

“We strongly believe in the notion of ‘better for business, better for people, better for the world.”

Visit https://business.love2shop.co.uk/employee-recognition-platforms/ to learn more about how employee engagement can drive performance in your organisation.

ENDS.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Love2shop

Love2shop – part of the PayPoint Group – is the UK’s number one multi-retailer gifting provider. Its range of Love2shop Gift Cards, e-Gift Cards and Gift Vouchers offer consumers the choice to spend at more than 140 high-street and online retail partners.

As well as personal gifting, Love2shop products are widely used in customer and employee engagement and consumer incentive programmes to provide recognition and rewards that offer real value to the recipients.

Love2shop also provides holiday gift vouchers through Love2shop Holidays and single-retailer gift cards for some of the high street’s biggest names – from Marks and Spencer to John Lewis.

Love2shop Gift Cards are flexecash products regulated by the FCA. Flexecash is the pre-paid card platform which issues Love2shop Cards. This facility is provided by Park Card Services Ltd who is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 [90001] for the issuing of electronic money.

Discover more: https://www.highstreetvouchers.com  

#IWD2023: Hayley Bromley, Treasury Manager

As the UK’s leading gift voucher, corporate rewards and Christmas Savings business, we want to turn our attention to recognising the incredible women in our company to celebrate International Women’s Day 2023.

International Women’s Day has said its focus lies with embracing equity – creating a fairer society by adapting services and policies to people’s diverse lived experiences. As a company, we also believe that equity is not just a nice-to-have – it is a must-have.

To celebrate a world where difference is valued and celebrated, we have invited five especially inspiring women from our company to talk about their experiences of work during their careers. Here is Hayley’s story.

Hayley Bromley is the living embodiment of ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’.

Now firmly on dry land as the Treasury Manager at Love2shop, Hayley started her career sailing the high seas on a huge aircraft carrier.

Growing up in Coventry, the teenage Hayley decided she wanted to join the Royal Navy after leaving school. It was a big step to take and there was a point when she had a wobble about what lay ahead.

“When I was about to set off to do my basic training I remember crying at the station, saying goodbye to my mum and dad. My dad even called the base to find out if I was ok,” she explained.

“I was only 18 and it was terrifying.”

As you would expect in the military, Hayley found herself in a male-dominated environment. She said: “I have always got on with everyone, so it didn’t phase me going into the Navy with the majority being boys.

“I think that, out of my intake there were around five girls and 20-plus lads. The training was amazing. It didn’t matter if you were a lad or a girl, you just got on with it.

“However, I was a little quiet on the ship and sometimes there would be the odd comment such as, ‘Oh I don’t want her on our team’. Little things like that bothered me, but not too much.

“I joined as a medical assistant and I absolutely hated that role so I switched to being an operator mechanic on the radar and on the guns.”

Hayley spent three years in the Navy. It was there she met her husband and when she became pregnant with their first child, it prompted Hayley to make another big decision to leave the service at the age of 21.

“Me and my husband were going to be on different ships, so I didn’t think the baby only seeing one of us at a time was the best for either of us,” she said.

Just six months after the baby was born, Hayley returned to the workplace. While she was waiting to join the Navy, she had worked two days a week in the finance department at her dad’s work which  gave her an early taste of accounting.

“I went back to work about six months after the baby was born,” she said. “I was an accounts payable assistant at a vehicle hire company for about a year before I left to have my second child.

“Then it was all change. My husband came out of the Navy and became a full-time dad and, again, I returned to work after about six month at a utilities company.”

Hayley worked in two more finance jobs before securing a role as a manager in a finance department. And, after several happy years, she found herself at the centre of a drama that matched anything she experienced at sea.

Her employer was Thomas Cook Airlines, a subsidiary of the Thomas Cook travel empire that spectacularly imploded in September 2019 after a £200m black hole opened up in its balance sheet. Although the airline itself was profitable, it was dragged down by its parent.

Hayley said: “I was really pleased when I got the job with Thomas Cook Airlines because I love anything to do with travel. I was there for six years and that was where I got most of my accounting experience.

“We were doing ok. It was the tour operator that was struggling. We knew something was going on because I was getting calls constantly from suppliers wanting payment without an invoice. It was totally full-on.

“I didn’t sleep. I just sat up flicking between new channels. The next morning my team messaged me asking what we should do and I said we should go into work. Even though the group collapsed in September we had to carry on working until November.

“There were lots of things that needed to be sorted out. There were bouncers on the doors to stop other people taking stuff. It was an awful time for everyone. Some people had been there for 20 years and they loved it.”

Hayley secured a temporary role with Love2shop but left when a permanent position came up elsewhere. However, she loved her short time with the business so much that she jumped at the chance to return, which she did two years ago.

“Being the Treasury Manager involves being in control of all the money, making sure the accounts are topped up with the correct amounts, protecting the money of our Christmas savers.”

Hayley is being supported to advance her career by taking accountancy qualifications. She is happy working in a business where she feels encouraged to grow in her job.

“I think it was more difficult as a woman years ago,” she added. “Now we have hybrid working and it is much easier to juggle things such as kids and nurseries. Back then, it was much more rigid if you were a mum.

“There is so much more flexibility in the workplace now. It was like when the Navy was going to put me and my husband on different ships – that was a real old-fashioned way of thinking. I now feel like I am in a very open and inclusive atmosphere.

“My line manager Lynn is brilliant. She is so knowledgeable and confident. I am training to be a treasury accountant; I don’t want to keep changing jobs. I want to make a career in a place that I like.”

What have you discovered about yourself during your career?

That I am more capable than I thought I was.

What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you were younger?

That you can always make a positive out of a negative situation.

Best advice from a mentor?

Focus on what you want to be rather than what others think you should be.

What would you do differently if you had to do it again?

I really wouldn’t change anything.

Biggest lesson learned?

That you are never too old to start again or learn something new.

What would you say to someone starting out?

It is your own journey and never compare yourself to anyone else.