Interview: Employee Wellbeing with Creditfix
This year's theme for World Mental Health Day on October 10th is Mental Health in the Workplace. It's no secret that employee wellbeing has emerged as a crucial focus for organisations striving to create a supportive and healthy work environment.
The Creditfix Group, known for its dedication to helping people manage their finances, has also committed to fostering an inclusive culture where employee wellbeing is a top priority. Recently, we had the chance to catch up with one of their HR advisors, who has played a pivotal role in the company’s wellness journey over the past seven years. Meet Karen Robson.
“I’ve been with The Creditfix Group for seven years now, handling the usual HR duties, but also encouraging staff to make full use of the wellbeing benefits we offer,” the HR advisor shares, reflecting on her dual role of both supporting the day-to-day operations and championing staff health initiatives.
The Creditfix Group, which includes UK Debt Expert, Carrington Dean, and Creditfix itself, provides crucial debt advice and support, helping individuals take control of their financial futures. “We’re proud of our inclusive culture,” she continues. “It’s a place where staff not only work together but form real social bonds. We’ve made wellbeing a priority to strengthen that.”
A Holistic Approach to Wellbeing
The company has introduced a range of wellbeing initiatives to cater to various needs. “Creating a healthy working environment is essential,” the HR advisor explains. “We provide free fruit, sanitary products, and access to PURE Spa, which has been very popular since we introduced it two years ago.”
In addition to physical wellness, the Creditfix Group also focuses on emotional and mental health. “Staff have access to Vitality Health & Life Insurance, which offers private healthcare, a personal health fund, and even the chance to earn rewards for staying active,” she explains.
The Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is another vital offering, providing emotional support and guidance for both personal and work-related challenges. “It’s not just for our employees, but also extends to their families. We’ve even got an app called ‘Wisdom’ that offers features like live chats with counsellors, health plans, yoga, and breathing exercises.”
Recognising the financial pressures many employees face, the Creditfix Group has also prioritised financial wellbeing. “We offer a range of salary benefits, from the Cycle to Work Scheme to travel loans that cover season tickets. And after the pandemic, we realised how important work-life balance really is,” she reflects. This realisation led to the introduction of their popular 9 Day Fortnight initiative, allowing employees to condense their working hours over nine days and enjoy every tenth day off. “It’s been a game changer,” she says with a smile.
Collaboration Drives Success
Developing these initiatives wasn’t a top-down process. “We take feedback from our colleagues seriously,” she notes. “Our Employee Engagement Forum is a space where teams can share suggestions that they believe would benefit the company. From there, we create a plan to implement and communicate any new initiatives.”
This collaborative approach doesn’t end once the programmes are launched. “The wellness team works closely with staff throughout the process,” she adds. “We constantly listen to feedback and adjust if needed. The rollout of the 9 Day Fortnight, for example, involved lots of communication and tweaking along the way based on employee input.”
Positive Impact on Employees
Feedback from employees has been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s great to see staff making use of the programmes. There’s something for everyone, and that’s really important to us,” she emphasises. “We monitor things like participation in health checks and the uptake of schemes like Cycle to Work, and it’s rewarding to see the level of engagement.”
The success of these initiatives is also reflected in how they’ve been implemented. “We didn’t face many challenges during the rollout because our senior management is very forward-thinking,” she says proudly. “Our chairman, in particular, was a huge advocate for the 9 Day Fortnight. He did his research, shared case studies, and really pushed for its adoption to help employees better manage their work-life balance.”
Looking Ahead: Continuous Improvement
While the wellbeing programmes have had a strong start, the HR team is constantly looking for ways to improve. “Staff are always encouraged to give feedback, whether through the Employee Engagement Forum or directly to their managers. It’s an ongoing process,” she explains. The focus is on making continuous improvements and ensuring the offerings evolve with the changing needs of the workforce.
For other HR professionals looking to enhance employee wellbeing, her advice is simple: “It’s essential to have the leadership team on board. Their support is critical when rolling out company-wide initiatives. But just as important is regular communication with staff. You need to understand what they need before making any big decisions.”
The Creditfix Group’s dedication to employee wellbeing goes beyond offering basic benefits. By listening to staff, fostering collaboration, and promoting a culture of inclusivity, they’ve created a supportive environment where employees feel valued and engaged. As more companies focus on wellbeing as a cornerstone of their culture, Creditfix sets an example of how thoughtful, employee-driven initiatives can make a significant impact on both individual health and overall business success.
Join our free rewards and benefits scheme, Club PURE, to learn more about your employee wellbeing.
