UK 
United States
Laura Bunn, HR Director at Roadchef explains how the motorway diner achieved its ‘best big company’ award by fostering a culture where employees feel genuinely supported to thrive.
What makes Roadchef such a great ‘big’ company to work for?
Laura Bunn
HR Director, Roadchef
Roadchef stands out as a great big company to work for because we put our people at the heart of everything we do. Being recognised as one of Britain’s best big companies to work for is a testament to the deliberate focus we place on creating a caring and rewarding workplace.
We invest in our people through development programmes that help team members progress into management roles and build long-term careers with us. Wellbeing is a key priority, and we provide support for mental health, financial pressures and everyday life challenges. We also make sure every voice is heard through our annual survey and by working closely with our joint consultative committee. By monitoring turnover, especially in the first 90 days, keeping open communication channels, and holding regular “people matters”, we identify potential issues early and gather feedback to continually improve.
This combination of development, wellbeing, and open dialogue helps us create a workplace where our people feel supported, valued and able to thrive.
How does Roadchef tackle wellbeing in a way that’s different to other employers?
To support our employees, we’ve put in place a variety of initiatives focused on wellbeing, recognition and engagement. Some key programmes include financial wellbeing support, such as allowing our employees to access earned wages before payday, subsidised meals, community pantries and interest-free hardship loans. Flexible working arrangements, such as the option for head office employees to work from home up to three days a week, further support wellbeing by helping employees manage their lifestyle.
Key programmes include financial wellbeing support, such as allowing our employees to access earned wages before payday, subsidised meals, community pantries and interest-free hardship loans
We also run weekly activities to build a sense of community and boost both mental and physical health. One of our main priorities is making sure our employees are treated with the utmost care and respect. The awards we’ve received reflect the hard work and dedication of all our colleagues, who consistently help make Roadchef one of the UK’s top companies to work for.
