A year-on look at how the UK’s Online Bed Retailer of the Year is proving that employee happiness and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.

With it becoming increasingly important that corporate responsibility means more than just profit margins, MattressNextDay is setting a new standard for how businesses in the bed industry (and beyond) can champion both their workforce and the planet. Twelve months after launching their Staff Wellbeing Initiative, the results speak for themselves and show what happens when a company commits to creating a workplace that prioritises its people.

What began as a mission to create ‘a safe, supported and happy workplace’ has evolved into an approach that flows through every aspect of the business. Through monthly reviews and staff suggestion boxes, MattressNextDay has created a culture where every voice matters and feedback directly shapes company policy.

“Implementing a Staff Suggestion Box wasn’t just a token gesture,” explains Jamie Latham, CTO, “We take each suggestion seriously and on its own merit. Even when a suggestion may seem far-fetched, we consider what that staff member might be missing from their working life, and what that represents”.

The results of this approach speak for themselves. Every member of staff now receives an additional paid day of leave that can be taken at any point throughout the year, while communal kitchen spaces are fully stocked with milk and fresh fruit twice weekly. More recently, each department has been offered a paid lunch on the last Friday of every month, as a gesture of thanks for their hard work.

These might seem like small gestures, but they represent a shift in thinking. Rather than viewing employee benefits as a cost centre, MattressNextDay has recognised them as an investment in productivity, retention, and company culture.

A green space for staff to refresh and reflect

Perhaps the most ambitious addition to the wellbeing programme is the development of a dedicated staff community area. This outdoor space will provide employees with a refreshing outdoor environment to take breaks and enjoy lunches away from the industrial setting, offering fresh air and natural views.

The garden represents more than just a nice–to-have amenity, but is a recognition that mental wellbeing is intrinsically linked to our environment. In a world where many workers spend their days surrounded by concrete and fluorescent lighting, this green space offers a vital restbite, and one that staff can work together to maintain and improve, bringing a sense of satisfaction and achievement away from their everyday work.

This outdoor area also represents MattressNextDay’s approach to the connection between staff happiness and customer satisfaction. Happy, supported employees naturally provide better customer experiences, creating a positive cycle that benefits everyone.

This staff community garden is an opportunity for staff to step away from the fast-paced environment of the office and take a moment to refresh and reflect, allowing them to head back into their working life with a clearer, fresher mindset that enhances their mental wellbeing, directly impacting the way they continue to work.

Encouraging staff confidence and a charitable spirit

MattressNextDay is also launching a series of educational talks, which will be expert-led discussions on topics suggested by their team. These talks aim to give staff a chance to ask questions and be informed about anything that impacts their working life. From independent pension advice to managing a work-life balance, these sessions are opportunities for staff to feel more confident in their working lives and relieve stress where possible.

Another way MattressNextDay are giving power to their staff is by encouraging the company’s charitable spirit. In the past year, staff-driven initiatives have included bake sales for Macmillan, monthly push-up challenges supporting Teenage Cancer Trust, and colleagues completing their first 10km runs for Breast Cancer Now.

To further harness this determination, MattressNextDay is implementing a Staff-Elected Charity of the Year, which every member of the team will have a chance to vote for. This ensures that charitable efforts remain meaningful and personally connected to the workforce, and opens the opportunity for every member of staff to lead charity events, whether big or small, throughout the year, and maximises the amount they can raise for a deserving cause.

Paving the way for a nation of sustainable sleep

Another important aspect of MattressNextDay’s core values, and one that aligns with their staff wellbeing value, is environmental responsibility. Their #SustainableSnooze initiative continues to make significant strides toward their ambitious goal of recycling 100,000 mattresses by the end of 2025. With over 70,000 mattresses already diverted from landfill, they’re well on track to exceed expectations.

To mark World Conservation Day in July, the company is launching a week-long Free Mattress Disposal campaign on their website and showroom – an initiative that hopes to inspire more people to take up this service and reduce the number of mattresses finding themselves in landfills.

This drive addresses a critical environmental issue: the 7 million mattresses discarded annually in the UK, many of which end up in landfill sites where they can take decades to decompose. By making mattress disposal more accessible by removing the barrier of cost, MattressNextDay are making it easier for customers to make environmentally conscious choices.

Continuing to be a blueprint for sustainable business

As MattressNextDay continues to expand their wellbeing and sustainability initiatives, they’re creating a blueprint that other businesses can follow. Their approach proves that environmental responsibility and employee satisfaction aren’t simply luxuries for huge global companies, but are essential strategies for long-term success that impact every area of business.

The company’s journey over the past year demonstrates that when businesses genuinely commit to their values, the results extend far beyond the bottom line. They create workplaces where people thrive, contribute to environmental solutions, and build stronger communities.

In a business landscape where consumers increasingly choose brands based on values alignment, MattressNextDay’s integrated approach to employee wellbeing and environmental stewardship positions them not just as a mattress retailer, but as a responsible corporate citizen leading by example.

For more information about MattressNextDay’s wellbeing initiatives and sustainability programmes, visit www.MattressNextDay.co.uk