A new Wellington-based company called Sharesies is helping young Kiwi’s to begin their investment journey. The company is also known for its excellent workplace culture and environment. The company offers its 28 staff flexible and remote working opportunities and uses a number of modern tools to help them stay connected, even when they aren’t all in the office together.
The company has shown how small organisations in New Zealand can get the best from their employees by making flexibility an integral part of their culture. The flexible and remote work culture is part of every employees contract from the time of their initial induction – the specific flexible working arrangements are determined by the needs of the individual employee. Remote work opportunities give employees a chance to focus on the things that are important to them outside of the workplace. The company also invests into team building exercises and a social clubs as well as monthly lunches to ensure that team members feel connected and build strong relationships with each other.
Another important feature of Sharesies’ work culture is the focus on mental health. The company offers and employee assistance programme and has a number of mental health professional on site to ensure the mental health of employees is well looked after. Every employee also gets two days of ‘wellness leave’ to help them look after their mental health needs. The company’s wellness initiatives are having a measurable and positive impact on the work environment with the company noticing reduced absenteeism and improved staff satisfaction. Employees have spoken positively about the company, acknowledging that it is a fun and social environment and saying that they feel safe and comfortable to discuss mental health in the workplace or comfortable and supported even in times of stress.
