They may deal with money all day, but the people who work for Richmond Group aren’t motivated simply by their own financial rewards. The firm, based in Bournemouth, provides financial solutions for people who have been refused credit by their banks, or who have problems managing their debts.

Staff, typically call centre operators, mostly earn less than £25,000 a year, but enjoy the good atmosphere and approachable management. The 196 employees say their colleagues are fun to work with (a top 10 positive score of 92%), that they feel a strong sense of family (86%) and that people go out of their way to help (85%).

Everyone has performance-related pay, mostly based on team performance. People have subsidised gym membership and a few enjoy a free gym. One of the firm’s values is to “communicate and celebrate” and there are company-funded or subsidised team nights out every month. Staff get a buzz from working in their teams (75%) and say that colleagues really care for each other (90%, a top 20 score).

Staff have monthly appraisals and training is taken very seriously – so much so that managers dedicate 80% of their time to coaching team members and helping them with career development. People appreciate this, saying the job is good for their personal growth (80%). They feel there is room to learn and grow in the organisation (72%) and say that managers are supportive (79%).

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Team leaders are encouraged to take personal responsibility for their staff, and can allow flexible working and duvet days to cater for individual needs. An 83% score shows managers care about employees as individuals, and that people feel they also care about their job satisfaction (78%).

Staff have frequent team meetings with the managing director. They think senior managers truly live the values of the organisation (79%), that their managers talk openly and honestly (87%), express their appreciation of a good job done (85%) and help them fulfil their potential (78%).

Four in five people regularly donate to charity through the give-as-you-earn scheme and the company matches the sums. Last year, the organisation as a whole raised more than £20,000. A customer donation scheme also allows call centre operators to collect pledges from clients, raising £40,000 in six months last year.

The firm recycles 75% of its waste and people say that it works to protect the environment (68%) and puts a lot back into the local community (76%), giving it a 65% score overall for questions on giving something back.

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