How Cirka Supports and Engages a Dispersed Workforce with Reward Gateway

Kate Smith, Executive General Manager – People & Culture at Cirka 

Transcript:

What led you to partner with Reward Gateway?   

We first started talking about Reward Gateway with our CEO. He had used Reward Gateway at his previous organisation and thought it was something great we could bring into Cirka. That’s when we initially reached out to Kylie and started those conversations. 

The Reward Gateway team were really supportive. They took us through step by step what it looks like, how the model works, how much it would cost. I felt we were given really solid information, which helped when I was presenting to the board to say, “This is what I think we should do, and here’s why.” The team provided all the details we needed to get it signed off. 

To secure buy-in from our board, I had to show that this would deliver a strong return on investment. We were making a significant investment in our team, and I needed to show what the business would get back. A lot of the benefits were more intangible—mainly around improving engagement and what that would mean for the business. If people are more engaged, they’re more likely to stay. That improves retention and productivity. 

It was also a great way to attract top talent. We have a lot of competitors in the cleaning space, so we needed something to make us stand out. Our owners and board members were really keen to give back to our cleaners. We know the work they do is tough. They’re not paid a lot because of how the award system works, and this was a way to give them something tangible - helping them save money from their disposable income. 

Amid Australia's cost of living crisis, how does offering employee discounts and financial wellbeing resources support your people? 

One of the great things about Reward Gateway is how it supports our team through financially tough times. With the rising cost of living, this really helps. A lot of our cleaners are part-time. They might be earning around $30,000 to $40,000 a year. So being able to save maybe $2,000 through Reward Gateway means a lot. Any money they can save when they’re living week to week is huge for them. 

And they love it. They really appreciate it. 

Can you tell us about the benefits you’ve seen since implementing your reward and recognition program? 

Some of the key benefits we’ve seen - ones I had initially highlighted to the board when making the case for the platform - actually came true. We saw an increase in our engagement scores, which went from around the 60s to the 80s. 

We also decreased turnover. Our retention rate for cleaners is now around 80%, which is really strong for a cleaning company. Alongside the retail discounts, another big benefit has been the recognition piece. Our team is dispersed - we’re across 800 sites in Australia, and we now have teams in the UK as well. The recognition platform allows us to share good news stories and celebrate what people are doing. It helps people feel connected and engaged with what’s happening across the business, which the team really enjoys. 

They like knowing they’re part of something bigger and working together to make this company great. 

 How have you engaged your people in the program? 

Some of the key things we did to engage people in the Cirka Perks program included running a strong launch. We built some suspense with teasers leading up to it. Then, when we launched, we ran a competition - everyone who signed up in the first few weeks went into a draw to win vouchers through Cirka Perks. That really helped get people signed up and exploring the platform. 

For our first-year anniversary, we ran a scavenger hunt across the platform. People could go and find little cupcakes or birthday cakes hidden throughout the site. It gave them a chance to discover areas they might not have used before. 

If someone was focused on discounts or recognition, they might not have explored the wellbeing centre - but this activity gave them a reason to look around. We also shared stories of what people in our business were doing. We found people who had saved a lot or were actively using the platform, created posters, and shared them around. 

That was great because people could see, “Someone I work with saved $1,000 on an iPhone,” or something like that. It made it more tangible and relatable. Then others would go ask them, “How did you do that?” or “What do you use?” 

Another thing we did that worked well was including Cirka Perks in our induction. We walk new starters through the program—what it is, what it includes. During the session, we get them to download the app and sign in so they’re engaged with it straight away. They love it.   

People at induction are like, “Wow, this is great we haven’t seen anything like this before.” It’s really positive. 

 How has CirkaPerks helped your team strengthen connections, improve communication and drive productivity? 

What’s been great about the platform is that it’s helped us drive productivity. Part of that comes from people being more engaged and choosing to stay. When that happens, we’re not constantly recruiting and retraining. We retain knowledge and build skills within the business. 

The platform has also improved communication. We use eCards, recognition tools, and the news area to share more with more people. Because we’re not a desk-based business, intranets don’t work - people don’t have access to one. So, Reward Gateway helps us get important company information out in a more engaging way than bulk emails. 

From both a communication and engagement point of view, that’s been a real selling point. 

What would you say to other organisations considering Reward Gateway? 

Reward Gateway is a great organisation. If you’re thinking of investing in a platform that offers discounts, supports recognition, and enables better communication, it’s a great one to consider. 

From my experience, they were really supportive during the selection process and provided all the information we needed. The sales team weren’t pushy or trying to convince us of anything we weren’t sure about. Implementation was great, the team helped us with what we needed and shared ideas because it was all new to us. 

That whole journey was really positive. Partnering with a business that treats its clients like that is a really strong reason to choose Reward Gateway over others.