May 2024 - Visit
To support you with your written and verbal communications, we recently introduced our Communicating at Aster - tone of voice guide.
The way we talk to people shapes how they feel about us as a business. Thinking about who we’re writing or talking to, and understanding how they feel and what they need from us is part of bringing The Aster Way values to life.
It can help us build our brand and set the tone for the type of relationships we have with our customers, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
It doesn’t mean we want everyone to sound the same, but the way we communicate can be guided by four principles:
We focus on what matters
We take ownership
We keep things simple
We’re inclusive and use a welcoming tone.
Our Communicating at Aster four-part video training series with supporting resources explains these principles and what they mean, with real life examples of them in action. All colleagues will need to complete this training - now available on Learn.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Language Matters guide and Restorative Practice principles can also help us to communicate with respect and empathy.
Sarah Palmer Head of Employee Experience and Culture12:00-13:00 10:00-12:00 11:00-11:50
Wellbeing walk and talk
Wellbeing walk and talk
Introduction to mental health
Sofa Sessions - Claire Odd talking about
journey and different ways you
10:30-11:30 09:30-12:00
10:00-12:00 11:00-11:30 10:00-11:00 10:00-12:00 12:00-12:30 10:00-11:00 13:00-15:00 14:00-15:35 10:45-11:15 11:30-12:00 10:00-10:45 11:00-12:00 12:00-12:45 09:30-13:00 10:00-12:00 10:00-14:00
Introduction to Restorative Practice
Introduction to Welfare Benefit
Getting comfortable with change
A detailed guide to Universal Credit
Online business inspiration session: Challenges of going to market
Coaching as a leadership style session
UC assessment periods
Customer Service - how to get it right, first time
The power of learning
Getting ready to build performance
Legacy benefits to Universal Credit
Inc - learn over lunch
How to manage change and uncertainty
Active Inclusion session
Asters’ Money Advice Tool webinar
Would coaching benefit you? 30 minute workshop
Would mentoring benefit you?
Introduction to Shared Ownership
Let’s talk apprenticeships and upskilling
Explore our Learning offer – virtual session
Introduction to Restorative Practice
Universal Credit - managed migration
Aster Welcome Day
Do you want to exercise more, but struggling to find the time? If you can, why not cycle to work and take advantage of the cycle2work benefit. As part of The Aster Offer, you can use it to help purchase a new bicycle and accessories.
Deductions are taken directly from your pay via salary sacrifice, meaning you won’t pay tax or National Insurance and could save between 32% and 42%. Use the Halford’s savings calculator to work out how much you will pay monthly.
How do I sign up?
Visit the flexible benefits site and select the cycle2work benefit. All you need to do is choose your voucher amount, add it to the cart and check out. Your selection will be processed at the beginning of the following month, so keep this in mind when you apply. Your selection will go over to Halfords, who will issue your letter of collection to you via email so that you can arrange to pick up your bike.
Colleagues applying to the scheme should acknowledge the ‘mainly for qualifying journeys’ condition, which makes this benefit tax efficient. In this context, “commuting” means journeys made between the home and workplace, part journey, or journeys between one workplace and another. To be eligible to apply you must:
• be a permanent employee of Aster
• not fall below the National Minimum Wage after the sacrificed salary has been taken
• have completed your probationary period
• not be subject to current disciplinary proceedings.
If you have any questions once reviewing the site, please contact reward@aster.co.uk.
As part of the Aster Offer, we want you to make the most out of your benefits. Helping you be the best you can be at work.
If you are unsure where to go to find out more about your benefits, below are the resources to help you access your core benefits paid for by Aster and have the flexibility to choose the voluntary benefits that mean the most to you.
1. Flexible benefits site is your go-to resource for information about core benefits and to make selections on voluntary benefits. Use on the link above or click on ‘Access your benefits’ on the Asternet homepage.
2. My benefits page also links you to your flexible benefits site but has some additional information and supporting content on your benefits.
3. We inform colleagues regularly on benefits news via Asternet articles so keep an eye out for articles to keep yourself in the loop on how to make the most of your benefits.
Still have questions? Feel free to contact us at reward@aster.co.uk.