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Vibrant and fulfilling: The top five inspiring workplaces in the UK

Unproductive, insecure and unequal: a new report just published by independent think tank The Smith Institute paints a gloomy picture of the British workplace. But at the same time, vibrant, go-head businesses are forging ahead with exciting new approaches to employment.

Put-upon business owners will claim they’re too busy and stretched to put beanbags in the boardroom or move out of their private office so it can be redesignated as a ‘brainstorming zone’.

But is there a legitimate business gain from making your employees happy, secure and fulfilled? We take another look at the Sunday Times’ top five places to work in the UK and pick out their great ideas to inspire us all to take a fresh approach to the workplace.

UKRD Group (commercial radio)

UKRD is Britain’s fourth largest radio operator and also develops software and a number of websites. Its 283 staff operate 17 stations across England. Business values include openness, honesty and being unconventional. UKRD overarching mission is “to change people’s lives”.

Staff are given a lot of autonomy and ideas are actively encouraged. The group reaches out into the community, working with young offenders, the armed forces and children.

The Brookwood Partnership (contract catering)

Feeding 450 pupils at the City of London School for Girls could easily slump into an endless menu of burgers and pizza, but Brookwood encourages its staff to be much more creative.

For example, chef manager Fred Ockwell created an entire dining experience around Australia Day, including dressing up as a kangaroo while serving chocolate-covered grasshoppers and salt and vinegar crickets. All this to the strains of a Kylie impersonator, belting out the tunes in the school canteen.

Underpinning such frivolity, of course, is plenty of quality, carefully-sourced ingredients. As well as that, Brookwood shares recipes and news via an online TV channel and supports three relevant charities, chosen by staff.

Peninsula Business Services (employment law consultancy)

Starting every Monday with a free breakfast eases Peninsula employees into the new working week - plus there are social evenings and even keep-fit sessions. Perhaps to work off those weekly breakfasts?

As you might expect from an employment law consultancy, there’s a strong focus on contracts, with plenty of flexible working hours available, including term time only, compressed hours and sabbaticals.

The company places a lot of emphasis on development and mentoring and regularly promotes from within, which goes down well with the 759-strong team.

ao.com (online retailer)

Set up 14 years ago as Appliances Online, the business is now known as ao.com and is the country’s biggest online kitchen appliance retailer.

It’s philosophy is ‘If you love what you do, you’ll keep doing it the very best way you can’ - translated into reality, that means a host of staff benefits, including free crisps and chocolate, subsidised gym membership, a programme of extravagant parties and a scheme whereby it will pay half for classes such as scuba diving or guitar lessons.

Save Britain Money Group (saving services)

Save Britain Money is THE call centre - yes, the one BBC3 made a documentary about. You probably already know about chief exec Nev Wilshire’s quirky ideas, including introductory karaoke sessions.

Cold-calling is stressful, but in a city like Swansea, where around 25% of people use food banks, the business is a welcome replacement for the now defunct coal mines and factories. And Wilshire uses his limitless energy to motivate the team, who he calls ‘the kids’ - and they love him for it.

If your workplace is more unproductive, insecure and unequal than these beacons of success, maybe it’s time to find a new job. Whether you want to be an actuary, an accountant or an actor, make sure you do it for one of the good guys.

www.ojassociates.com/actuarial#jobs

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jacey Lamerton .