EVERYONE AT JACOB BAILEY TO GET AN EXTRA ‘GREEN DAY’ OFF

The logo isn’t the only thing that’s green at the Ipswich and London based brand and direct response agency Jacob Bailey.

Increasing numbers of companies are becoming conscious of their carbon footprint and are putting processes in place to monitor and reduce the negative effect their business and staff have on the planet. Jacob Bailey is no exception and as well as putting pressure on their suppliers, they have decided to encourage their employees to go the extra mile for the environment too, by giving them an additional day off to be green.

Jacob Bailey’s Managing Director Shaun Bailey said: “Everyone has a duty to play an important part in looking after and improving our environment and that includes employers. We have processes in place, we expect our suppliers to have suitable policies and we offer clients advice in reducing waste by being more targeted and innovative with their marketing, but we thought we would do a bit more”.

The design and marketing agency has encouraged employees to seek ways to make a contribution to the environment, whether it’s by volunteering for a green community project or simply fitting energy saving devices. They don’t get away with it lightly though. Once they’ve come up with their green idea, they have to present it to the agency’s directors who will decide whether or not it’s worthy of making a positive contribution to improving our environment.

Mr Bailey said: “Since we’ve told the team about our scheme, everyone is trying to better one another by coming up with the idea that’s going to have the most positive impact. It’s all in good humour, but there’s certainly a competitive edge to it”.

Hannah Good, Jacob Bailey’s receptionist and Katie Bond, one of the agency’s Senior Account Managers were first to meet the challenge by suggesting they spend their green day preparing and planting up a vegetable patch in Hannah’s garden. Miss Good told us: “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a ages but just haven’t had the time. The idea of not having to take the bus to the shops for fresh vegetables is lovely. They’ll have the shortest food miles I can think of and they certainly won’t be wrapped in any unnecessary packaging”. The idea was good but to complete the project in a day required an additional pair of strong forearms, so Hannah’s colleague Katie Bond was recruited, their assignment approved and a green day was awarded to both budding Charlie Dimmocks.

Although there is an element of fun to it, Jacob Bailey’s directors stressed that they were serious about the scheme making a real difference and said they will be expecting to see hard evidence of their staff member’s ideas being put in to practice.

Shaun Bailey, founder and Managing Director of Jacob Bailey Ltd, is also a member of the Direct Marketing Association’s Agencies Council and currently chairs the Ethical Agency working party. Jacob Bailey Ltd is reviewing all internal processes to raise standards in ethical working practices.