Small business wins workplace diversity award

For the second year running, a small business has won the Work Life Balance category at the Diversity Awards NZ.

Wellington-based company Sharesies took out the 2019 award in a Gala Dinner in Auckland last week.

With just 28 staff, Sharesies creates a product which helps young people begin their investment journeys. The company has developed a number of initiatives that ensure that it can grow in a sustainable way which supports its staff as well as people who invest using its platform.

The first key part of this is flexible and remote working practices. Sharesies encourages its team to make use of flexible hours and working remotely, using tools which ensure that the team can remain connected regardless of people’s individual locations. This is introduced as standard practice to new staff in their contracts from induction.

Another key feature of Sharesies’ employee support programme is a focus on mental health. Sharesies has an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) in place, as well as in-house mental health activities and mental health first aiders on site. Each employee is also offered an optional Wellbeing Plan and two days paid Wellness Leave.

Sharesies’ mental health activities include Wellness Windows, in which one of the mental health first aiders has an open space every week where any of the team can talk through any mental health related thoughts or issues they’re experiencing, and Emotional Workouts, where the team sets aside time to prioritise their mental health.

Last year, this award was won by RIVAL Wealth, an investment firm from Wairarapa.

To read more about Sharesies click here.