STORY: PAUL UK launches an online team communication platform to support its 500+ employees

French artisan bakery, PAUL UK, has brought forward the launch of its workforce management and communications platform, Engage. Created in collaboration with hospitality management solution specialists, Fourth, Engage provides support, resources and management functionality for its 500+ employees.

The new centralised portal enables direct communication with team members across the entire business, including those on furlough, so they can remain updated and in touch at all times. It hosts a number of resources to help staff navigate the crisis including wellbeing tips and recipe sharing, direct access to the PAUL Employee Assistance Programme and training portal, as well as internal messaging across the company with the option to create groups with a pool of colleagues. It also provides staff with their own profile to access payslips, book holidays etc.

Engage was in development prior to the Coronavirus outbreak; however, its launch was accelerated due to the Government lockdown measures.

Donna Cosford, Head of HR & Training at PAUL UK, said: “Engage allows us to communicate regularly with all employees, provide support and most importantly, look after the welfare of our teams, which is fundamental, especially in today’s ever-changing and uncertain times.

“We have managed to find a balance between sharing business updates and interesting content, for those not currently working, and now have 85% of the workforce logging in regularly.

“We are celebrating team events, like work anniversaries, publicly on the news feed, as well as ‘Wellbeing Wednesdays’ for ideas on how to stay healthy/active during lockdown, and ‘Foodie Fridays’ where team members are sharing what they have created in their home kitchens, some of which have proved to be very talented cooks!”