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Digital Design and Impact Agency Driftime® reflect on being shortlisted as the Best Small Agency to Work For for the Company Culture Awards.
Driftime® is a close-knit team of nine, working remotely but together across Brazil, England, Wales, and Portugal. Meaningful connection and enduring support is a vital part of our company culture, and is something we are committed to continually develop and improve as new ideas arise. Throughout each year, we work hard to expand and improve our offerings, perks, and benefits for the team, taking inspiration from what’s new on the scene, ultimately listening to what the team wants to see and enjoy next.
Nurturing company culture is at the bedrock of our practice, an aspect of the business that directly impacts the wellbeing of our team, and in turn, the quality of work we create. From unlimited paid holiday and a flexible four day working week to a fully paid whole-team summer retreat and regular pension increases, Driftime® place the health and happiness of our team at the forefront of the business, and have seen an admirable retention and increase in staff satisfaction as a result.
“It’s refreshing to feel part of a team with founders who have a genuine concern for our happiness, health, and wellbeing. I wholeheartedly believe that Abb-d, Sara, and the team are all invested in our futures and want the best for us, listening to our needs and providing actionable, kind, and enduring solutions.”
Elsa Monteith, Communications
Most recently, we introduced “Wellbeing Wednesdays”, a weekly optional drop-in call for the whole team to check in and spend time sharing any troubles or triumphs they’ve encountered at home or in work. Led and facilitated by Jo, we begin with a five minute meditation, going on to share any thoughts or feelings we’d like to explore, and ending by exchanging gratitudes. As a remote team this kind of space allows us to connect as more than colleagues, sharing a confidential digital room that fosters rest and resilience, as well as comfort and community.
As well as providing emotional support digitally, we also advocate for fair remuneration and financial support, responding to feedback to introduce an annual stipend for each team member to spend on anything they feel will improve their physical or mental wellbeing. From Headspace subscriptions to a running coach, Driftime® advocates for individualised support in place of blanket schemes that not everyone will align with, additionally initiating an annual pension increase scheme, and a default wage increase year on year for the full team to benefit from.
“The company culture at Driftime® really breaks the conventional mould in all the best ways – it’s inclusive, puts your wellbeing front and centre, treats you as an individual with integrity, encourages flexible working and autonomy to use your day or working hours in a way that suits your lifestyle.”
Jo Billings, Project Manager
We conduct an anonymous six monthly staff satisfaction survey to review where we can do better and what is working well, going through the survey results with the whole team to discuss what we would like to implement to where we could make improvements with everyone’s input. Reflecting on where we’re at and where we want to be is a vital part of our progress year on year, and has provided us with the foresight to anticipate any challenges that may arise, and the knowledge to help us understand how we can tackle them head-on.
Our company culture is unique in its commitment to connecting our international team across continents, taking every measure possible to ensure our workforce feels authentically supported and involved both locally and globally. From our fully-paid full-team summer retreat to digital Come Dine With Me cook-alongs, we look to bring the team together in a way that uplifts and empowers, providing them with the autonomy to make decisions that brings joy to both work, and life beyond.
Being recognised for our wonderful workplace culture by a prestigious awards body such as Company Culture Awards is a testament to the work of both our co-founders, the full team, and is something we are incredibly proud of.
We’d love to hear from you! Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our Substack for the latest Driftime® happenings, and continue the conversation on levelling up your company culture at [email protected] ✨
