5 years and counting...

Happy February all! It’s that time of year when we all gleefully gaze upon our refreshed holiday allowance, live and die by #newyearnewyou and get ready to spend that first crucial post-Christmas payslip of the year. But, wait…what’s that it says at the bottom? 5 years 5 months?!? That’s how long I’ve been here? Omg. Is that right? And…yes…It’s true. I’ve become a ‘long-serving employee’. Nicola Green, 5 years and 5 months as a RTM employee.

Following that sledgehammer blow (and a stiff drink and some deep breaths), I started wondering how the last half decade had passed so quickly. It feels like 5 minutes, not 5 years! BPS World has reported that the average tenure for a UK employee is 4.5 years. So, good to know I’m above average...But why?

Reflecting on the reasons I have stayed with RTM for over half of my career, I also considered what I would expect from a future employer. What are the components I still thoroughly enjoy about my role? It all came down to the same key points:

1.      Transparency

Guys, I’ve seen behind the curtain in the talent industry and… it turns out it’s nowhere near as harrowing as previous glimpses I’ve had in other industries. I’ve had some pretty challenging roles in my time – commission only, door-to-door sale jobs, city centre bartending where shifts started at 11pm and finished around 6am – and although the talent industry is not always easy, it’s one where effort really does equate to results. I see exactly how the work I put in leads to success. Plus, not having to traipse door-to-door in the snow for 8 hours a day or deal with drunken students is also a big win in my opinion!

No organisation is perfect, but I genuinely believe in the vision and direction our company is going in. I hugely appreciate a senior leadership team that lean into the difficult questions rather than glossing over them. Who are honest and transparent.

2.      Flexibility

The RTM MSP team spans all parts of the UK from Bradford to Brighton and as a Programme Manager, I’m going wherever the client is. Armed with a laptop, phone and (usually ok-ish) WiFi, I have autonomy and the trust of the business. It is fully understood that I’m capable of managing my own time, diary and prioritising what happens when and where – be that from home, a RTM office, client site or my favourite Manchester coffee shop. Having flexibility to balance my work and life, as well as an employer that treats me with that respect is a big part of why I have stayed.

3.      My amazing manager

Working for someone you respect and trust makes it so much easier to drag yourself on that 5am train in the depths of winter. I read a recent CIPD report that found only 14% of employees strongly agreed that they could characterise their working relationship with their manager as “very effective”. I’m so fortunate to work for someone I truly aspire to, believe is leading us to success and would want in my corner if the proverbial ever hit the fan. Lee, it’s only right to give you a shout out!

4.      Support

The best of us can admit that we all sometimes find ourselves in a bit of a pickle. Whenever I have, I can absolutely say that RTM has supported me in resolving the issue and helped me learn how deal with similar situations in the future. Through all the blood, sweat, and sometimes actual tears, of managing numerous customers, I’ve always been able to be open and honest when needing some help and advice and I’ve never felt that support wasn’t there.

As of last year, RTM employees have access to the app-based wellbeing service Spill which offers confidential access to message-based therapy with a trained counsellor. This kind of focus on employee well-being speaks volumes to me.

So, upon reflection, I can see exactly why I have stayed with this business for half a decade. Transparent & honest, flexible & trusting, fantastic leadership and a supportive workplace. Cheers RTM, and here’s to the next half of the decade!

I’d love to hear your feedback, comments or even questions about working for RTM

If you’d like to join us for further conversation around workplace challenges, innovation and trends, check out our upcoming series of 'Future of Work' events, where we'll be discussing why organisations should develop talent strategies to attract, engage and include talent of all ages as a key contributor to their future workforce. Further information here:

https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/thisisrtm_thisisrtm-futureofwork-workforce-activity-6633008078176473089-klh_