Designing, running and analysing an employee research project – in other words, a survey – is such a huge project in itself that many organisations may lose sight of the fact that it is merely the first step in the process. By Kate Pritchard, head of employee research, ORC International UK

Melanie Stern, deputy editor of Financial Director magazine, asks whether the current vogue for intranet-run staff blogging makes for better employee-employer relationships and improved output – or a recipe for trouble

There are worse ways to embark on a team-building initiative, than over some home-made pasta and a glass of prosecco. Katie Pattullo talks to Anna Venturi of Venturi’s Table, a custom-built corporate cookery centre, about the benefits of gastronomic bonding

In the second of a two-part series, Adrian Britten, founder of Britten People and former head of colleague engagement at the Co-operative Group, advises organisations to look beyond the consultant talk and look at engagement on an individual level: employees need to identify how they can play their part

Chris Davies, group HR manager for Travis Perkins, describes how the organisation embarked on developing its employer brand and people strategy – and discovered how important the levels of engagement were in relation to the wider business metrics

Annabel Sweet, head of HR strategy at O2 explains how the organisation used a positive psychology technique, appreciative inquiry, to revolutionise its workplace culture, leading to higher levels of engagement and hard business results

Having worked in the human resource department of Alliance Pharmacy for 17 years, Roger Cotton moved into the corporate social responsibility arena four years ago. As senior manager corporate social responsibility, he explains why businesses have a responsibility to put a stop to this throw away society and how volunteering programmes for employees can play an invaluable part in engagement

There are few bigger challenges facing the world than climate change. It’s something many of us worry about, but feel unsure how to play our part in tackling it. But, as Hugh Jones director of Solutions at the Carbon Trust discovers, employees at companies across the UK are developing an appetite to do just that, not just at home – but in the workplace too

The Companies Act 2002 has gone some way to ensuring that businesses take their corporate social responsibility seriously. It states that all companies, except small businesses, have to prepare a business review as part of the director’s annual report in which information is provided about environmental, social and community issues. They also have to consider the impact of their business on employment and employee matters.