Business News
University of Worcester Graduate wins global award for Peer Support Network
Using Tech for Employee Engagement
Ricky Baker started the Children & Young People Student Nurse Network during his studies at the University of Worcester, to help other student children’s nurses to connect with each other.
Opinions are polarised as to the benefits of technology when it comes to employee engagement.
The network has grown from strength to strength and continues to be run by students, who volunteer their own time.
There are so many tools available now to measure how our employees are feeling, such as Vibe or Officevibe. There is even tech to gamify employee recognition, such as Bonusly and OneUp. On a recent webinar with YuLife on ‘Creating a Culture of Vulnerability’, there was talk of using an emoji feature within Slack for remote workers to share how they feel in real time.
Ricky, who is now a fully qualified Children’s Nurse, having graduated last year, said: “The network was fundamental during Covid-19. Not only did we keep people connected, we educated and kept students up-to-date with relevant information and alleviated any anxieties they were experiencing. We have had an overwhelming amount of support from lecturers up and down the country, and this sees our network advertised to child nursing students in both educational and NHS settings across the UK.”
In this world of remote and hybrid working, it is more important than ever to find a way of making sure we are connecting with each individual in a way that is appropriate for them. For the extraverts, they may not need a prompt to come forward and tell us how they are getting on… but for others, a more gentle approach using tech, could help them to open up. Research shows that younger workers such as Millennials and Gen Z’s are so used to tech and gamification in their day to day lives, that this could be the most natural way to reach them in the workplace.
Ricky’s efforts saw him become the recipient of a global healthcare award for ‘excellence in nursing and midwifery’ as well as being selected as a finalist in the national Nursing Times and Royal College of Nursing (RCNi) Awards. He also went onto win the Good Nurse Award in the Hereford Times Health and Social Care Awards. For information visit worcester.ac.uk
Specialist lawyer from mfg Solicitors receives wide praise in Legal 500 rated Hall of Fame list for his consistently excellent service and advice to clients in complex wills and inheritance cases.
One thing is for sure, the tech on its’ own won’t cut it – whatever software we implement to support employee engagement, it needs to be part of a much wider strategy around meaningful communication and recognition.
Meanwhile, Mr Chandler also moves up the individual rankings where he has been given Next Generation Partner status. Also singled out for praise this year is Sally Morris, partner and head of the firm’s Employment team, who was named as a “leading individual” for the first time. Partners Sam Pedley and Clare Regan were also highlighted.
A legal expert from Worcestershire law firm mfg Solicitors has been rated as the top ranked lawyer in the 2022 edition of the Legal 500. Robert Weston, who leads the law firm’s Contentious Trusts and Probate department, has been named in the legal guide’s highest
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Andrew Davies, Partner and Managing Director at mfg Solicitors said: “It’s always a proud moment for any of our lawyers or departments to be ranked in the Legal 500, but this really is a special year.” Firms and lawyers are recommended on merit. Find out more at mfgsolicitors.com hwchamber.co.uk