BARR’s Love Month: Fostering a Culture of Belonging
Every February, BARR’s People & Culture team spends an entire month focusing on a heartwarming initiative to foster connection, appreciation, and community among all BARR employees. It’s called BARR Love Month, and fun fact—we look forward to it every year. Learn why it’s such a beloved part of our culture and employee experience.
Embracing Self-Love and Well-Being
We kicked off Love Month by emphasizing the importance of self-love and personal well-being. During the first week, employees focused on personal growth and wellness. Colleagues were encouraged to set self-care goals and share them in our #barr-squad Slack channel. From drinking eight glasses of water a day to getting a full eight hours of sleep, this week emphasized fun and engaging ways to promote healthy habits.
Additionally, employees were reminded to use their bi-annual Wellness Stipend on something that would enhance their well-being, such as a massage or a wellness app subscription. The week also featured a Wellness Wednesday, where employees were prompted to treat themselves and share their self-care activities. Through these initiatives, BARR underscored that self-care isn’t selfish but essential to being one’s best self.
Celebrating Colleagues with Appreciation and Encouragement
The second week of Love Month was all about appreciating and encouraging colleagues. Employees were randomly matched with a fellow team member to get to know better, cheer on, and show extra care for during the month. Virtual coffees and lunch meetings were encouraged to foster these new connections.
BARR also introduced fun activities such as a Wellness Wednesday GIF Battle, where employees could show appreciation using only GIFs, and a Fun Fact Exchange to learn something new about their match. Team members were also provided a Love Month budget to send a small gift or make a charitable donation in honor of their Love Month Match, promoting a culture of connection and gratitude.
Spreading Community Kindness
Week three focused on spreading kindness within the community. Employees participated in a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge on Feb. 17, which included activities like writing positive reviews for local businesses, giving compliments, and donating items. The #barr-squad Slack channel was abuzz with positive news stories and uplifting podcasts shared by team members.
The Wellness Wednesday Philanthropy Spotlight featured Michelle Carson, BARR’s vice president of brand, marketing, and strategic communications, who shared her connection with Heart to Heart International. Employees were also reminded of BARR’s Matching Gift Program, which matches donations dollar-for-dollar up to $500 per year. The week concluded with a Weekend Kindness Goal, encouraging everyone to give back and inspire each other.
Strengthening Workplace Connections
The final week of Love Month was dedicated to strengthening workplace connections and celebrating BARR’s unique company culture. Employees were invited to share why they love working at BARR and post their thoughts on a vision board aimed at making BARR one of Glassdoor’s “Best Places to Work.”
A company-wide guided meditation session was held on Wellness Wednesday to help employees re-center and pause their distractions. The month wrapped up with a virtual happy hour featuring fun games and a toast to love.
Looking Ahead: BARR’s Vision for the Future
As BARR’s Love Month came to a close, we look ahead with a bright vision for the future. BARR is committed to continuously improving employee engagement and fostering a culture of belonging and support.
Learn more about our services and programs dedicated to sharing love here at BARR as well as outside in our beloved communities. Interested in joining our amazing team? Learn about our career opportunities.