We work hard to create a safe and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.
Nurturing our talent
At Twinings, we believe that when our people thrive, so does our business. That’s why we invest in nurturing the potential of our people, no matter their background, identity or location. Our Thrive programme, launched in 2021, is at the heart of this. Grounded in neuroscience principles, it’s designed to help our managers coach effectively, with the aim of enabling a more connected and engaged workforce. The programme supports personalised learning journeys and encourages meaningful conversations about personal development and performance.
We’ve seen the impact through consistently high scores in our engagement surveys for feedback, coaching and development. Alongside Thrive, we train colleagues in workplace coaching techniques through our Coaching Academy, and use the wider network of our parent company, Associated British Foods, to share knowledge, resources and opportunities. We’re also rolling out LinkedIn Learning across the organisation, enabling employees to access self-led personalised learning and development.
Health and safety
Protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and providing a safe environment for all those who work with us is a fundamental part of how we show care and respect for everyone.
We prioritise both physical safety and mental wellbeing. And we strive to ensure our workplaces are inclusive and accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities and those who are neurodiverse.
Our Beyond Zero programme goes beyond focusing on reducing incidents. It’s about building a culture of care, collaboration and awareness in which employees understand how their actions and environments impact both physical safety and mental wellbeing.
As part of our mental health support, we offer a 24/7 employee assistance programme, short-term counselling and expert guidance, while initiatives like Wellbeing Walks help to reinforce psychological safety. Managers are trained to help create an environment where individuals feel safe to be themselves and speak up. And we track our employees’ wellbeing through our listening tool, Engage, using targeted questions to ensure all voices are heard.
A culture of openness
We want people to feel confident raising any concerns they may have at work. Our Speak Up service enables anyone connected to our operations – whether they are employees, contractors or third parties – to report suspected misconduct, inappropriate or unethical behaviour, or any breaches of our policies and values.
Managed by an independent provider, Speak Up includes a telephone hotline and a web-based reporting tool available in local languages. This ensures confidentiality, impartiality and easy access. Our always-on engagement survey platform, Engage, gauges how safe and supported colleagues feel in raising concerns, helping us make improvements where needed.
We also support our suppliers in building their own effective grievance mechanisms by developing toolkits and training on best practice in line with our Human Rights Policy. By fostering a culture of speaking up, supported by leadership, training and continuous listening, we aim to ensure that concerns raised are addressed with rigour and respect.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
For over 300 years, Twinings has combined its master blending expertise with fresh thinking. To sustain that innovative spirit, we need to attract people with a blend of perspectives and create a culture of belonging.
Our global diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy, Belong, focuses on three areas:
- Inclusive environments – physical and psychological safety for all
- Equity in talent practices – fair and inclusive hiring, development and promotion
- Fair pay and policies – equitable people policies and compensation frameworks
DEI awareness and inclusive leadership is part of our global training for line managers, and senior leaders are held accountable for driving progress.
We are in the process of launching a number of employee network groups (ENGs), providing colleagues who share experiences a safe space to connect, support one another and influence positive change across the business. These include the Cultural Inclusion Network and Pride. We will also soon be launching an international Neurodiversity Network, providing space for neurodivergent colleagues and allies.