Inventive Leisure, Botanic Inns, Orchid Group, Punch Taverns and McDonald's have all been named among the UK's best companies to work for by the Sunday Times.
Inventive Leisure, the Revolution Vodka Bar operator, was ranked 25th in the overall survey of 100 best companies to work for, published yesterday. The survey is based on feedback from employees.
The Aberdeen-based company has improved its ranking for the fourth year running; in previous years it finished 34th, 49th and 82nd. Inventive has the honour of being the most fun company to work for in this year's list, scoring 91% in this category.
Inventive was named forth overall in the category of “my team”, ninth for personal growth, and 18th for “my manager”.
The Sunday Times said Inventive balances the freedom for managers to make a personal mark with support and training from head office. Staff said their job is good for personal growth (83%), and just two organisations did better for providing helpful training (79%).
Belfast pub, restaurant and hotel group Botanic Inns came 73rd in the list.The firm's employees said they feel a strong sense of family in the team (77%), colleagues are fun to work with (86%) and they get a buzz from being in the team (75%).Staff turnover at the company, which has 16 sites, is just 27%.
The Sunday Times highlighted the range of social events organised for staff, from comedy nights to cinema days. And the newspaper flagged up the benefits offered to employees including profit-related pay, childcare vouchers, life assurance and loan schemes.
In a separate survey of the 25 best big companies to work for, Orchid Group won the most improved category as it moved from 20th to fifth place in this year's list.
Orchid, the 249-strong pub operator, was ranked second in a survey of employees in the categories of “Wellbeing” and “My Team”. More than two thirds (69%) of staff said chief executive Rufus Hall was an inspiration, while 74% of employees have great faith in him.
Clear communication and camaraderie means workers know what is expected of them (80%) and feel a strong sense of family in their teams (77%). The company also has the least stressed staff, partly because they have so much fun (85%) and don't feel taken advantage of (64%).
The Sunday Time said: “The glass is most definitely half full for staff at the Orchid Group. Working in its 249 pubs, bars and restaurants won't make them rich but good training, great colleagues, incentives and the group's commitment to the community make it a great experience, according to the workforce.”
Punch Taverns, the tenanted and managed pub group, was named 21st on the list of big companies. The Sunday Times said “spirits are high” despite a two-year pay freeze and one third reduction in costs.
Punch is praised for its honestly and good communication with employees, with regular face to face briefings on how the economic climate is affecting their business.
McDonald's, the restaurant chain, made it onto the list of big companies for the first time this year – it came 22nd. Employees said the current economic climate doesn't make them worry about the organisation's future (73%) and they feel their job is secure (77%).
Staff also believe they aren't spending too much time working (61%), don't believe deadlines are unrealistic and are happy with the work/home life balance (both 65%).
