Three very different Bristol organisations are among the finalists in a unique competition to find the region’s happiest workplace.
Representing the city on the shortlist are Rethink Recruitment, Paper and Shiner. They will now line up against two other firms – one each from Swindon and Bath – in the final of the contest, staged by Bristol-based workplace and interior design consultancy Wylde IA. 
The awards, now in their second year, aim to champion organisations that go the extra mile to make their staff’s working lives happier and showcase best practice.
Rethink Recruitment’s Bristol office in Wine Street is part of a national recruitment agency that prides itself as standing out as very different in an industry not usually associated with employee wellbeing and happiness.
Social enterprise Paper provides Bristol creatives with a place to grow their entrepreneurial ideas and to make a living from their artistic talents. For the past two years it is run a gallery, shop and co-working space for artists in Merchants Street, Broadmead.
Aztec West-based skateboard, equipment and clothing distributor Shiner won last year’s inaugural Happiest Workplace award.
This year’s winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on July 20 at the Chippenham head office of Herman Miller, the furniture manufacturer and pioneer of the modern workplace.
Since the competition closed at the end of April, the team at Wylde IA has thrown themselves into the judging process to find out exactly what makes South West employees so happy.
Wylde IA director Maxine Bennett said: “Yet again we’ve had a fantastic selection of different organisations enter our competition. We’ve had a real mix of large institutions and smaller boutique companies.
“We’re delighted companies have engaged with our competition and the response pays testament to the fact the South West is a hotbed of happy workplaces.”
Rethink Recruitment’s Christine Christodoulou said: “We are absolutely delighted to be finalists of such a fantastic competition and be recognised as one of the happiest workplaces in the South West. We loved having the opportunity to show off our workplace to Wylde IA and gain further inspiration on how to constantly improve and keep those smiles on our faces. I’d encourage every company to enter the competition and wish all the finalists the best of luck.”
Grace Kress at Paper Arts added: “We are so happy to be a finalist. Being part of a team of people that are not only passionate about opening up the creative sector for all to enjoy, but are also dedicated to helping each other grow – both professionally and personally – makes coming to work every day a reward in itself. It’s great to have this recognition for what we are trying to achieve.”
Shiner’s James Cooke said: “I’m so stoked that we’ve been asked to be in the final for the second year. I can’t express what Shiner means to me personally – it’s the kind of workplace you look forward to coming to each day and we’re still smiling at the end of the day.”
The Happiest Workplace competition was launched last year to celebrate Wylde IA’s 18 years in the business. The company wanted to find out exactly what makes a great workplace and, therefore, happy staff. Due to its success the competition has been staged again this year, widening it to include companies in Devon, Cornwall and along the M4 Corridor as far as Swindon.
The competition is being supported by Bristol Business News, whose editor Robert Buckland is on the judging panel with Herman Miller workplace specialist Bertie Van Wyk.
Wylde IA is an award-winning independent interior design consultancy, trading for nearly 20 years. The company specialises in creative design, working directly with clients throughout the UK and Europe in partnership with external suppliers, architects and fit-out companies to create inspiring places.
