Property consultancy Drivers Jonas appreciates just how important it is to build up a reputation for being a forward-thinking and considerate employer. In our survey employees gave the firm a 79% positive score for feeling fully involved at work, an 80% rating for work being stimulating, 85% for feeling proud to work for the company and 80% for feeling they can make a valuable contribution to its success.

Drivers Jonas is an independent private partnership of property consultants based throughout the UK. The company was established in 1725, making it the oldest firm of chartered surveyors in existence.

There was a time when dark, dingy offices with secretaries guarding the doors came with a job in the property business. These days, Drivers Jonas offers people space to breathe, fresh flowers and contemporary art in light, airy and open-plan departments. Employees have access to the latest technology and, for fun, can take advantage of a putting green and table football.

Strong team spirit is built by feedback from regular meetings held by partners, plus quiz nights, team bonding days and a black-tie Christmas party. Employees say colleagues are fun to work with, that they have confidence in the abilities of teammates and that people care for each other at work (all 82% positive scores).

Nick Shepherd, the managing partner, is known for his hands-on approach. He holds several meetings a year, covering each of the seven offices in the company, to report on the performance of the business and to encourage employee feedback on a host of issues from client relations to sabbaticals and flexible working policies. People have a great deal of faith in Shepherd (82%) and are confident in the skills of the senior management team (85%).

Drivers Jonas employees feel excited about where the company is going (81%) and say it really tries to help staff (84%). They believe that managers talk openly and honestly with them (a 79% positive score).

All the workforce, including part-time staff and those on temporary or short-term contracts, have access to training opportunities which can be in-house, external or on the job — and can include a half-day programme on dealing with pressure. The firm also has a structured development programme for graduates. Employees appreciate the effort and think their job is good for their own growth (an impressive 84% positive score earning a top 10 ranking). They say the experience they gain is valuable to their future (83%).

The family-friendly organisation will consider requests for flexible and part-time working, job-sharing and working from home. It also has a sabbatical scheme that offers employees with more than five years’ service up to three months’ unpaid leave. In the past six months it has granted career breaks to two staff. Benefits include a childcare voucher scheme which offers tax and national insurance-free vouchers in place of salary, saving parents on the payroll about £1,060 per year.

Drivers Jonas also monitors hours worked by fee-earning staff to ensure they do not exceed the recommended maximum hours. If they do, Shepherd is alerted and works with the employees concerned to find solutions.

Corporate social responsibility is high on the agenda and includes a recycling programme, a commitment to clean fuel for company cars and using Fairtrade tea and coffee. In addition, staff help support schools in socially disadvantaged areas of central London and the firm’s charitable foundation backs other charity initiatives by doubling any amount raised by employees.

Accordingly employees feel their efforts to help good causes are supported (74%) and believe that the company works hard to protect the environment (82%), the latter score topped by just two other companies.

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