They might have recently managed the refurbishment and rebranding of Jobcentres, but staff at John Rowan and Partners aren’t looking at the adverts.

The construction consultancy, which manages costs and projects, and does building surveying, has 63 employees who say they are very happily housed.

Based in London, with three other sites, the firm shares its success. More than half of staff are paid at least £35,000 a year and people feel fairly paid relative to others in the firm (a 71% positive score) and for their responsibilities (70%).

Everyone has profit-related pay, subsidised gym membership, critical illness cover and access to company loans. Most people have share options and private healthcare, and just under half can include their families in this cover. Two-thirds of employees have a car allowance and, after three months, staff can join a contributory pension in which the firm matches their investment of 2% of salary.

Related Internet Links

• Company website

Turning up the Heat pays off

Strong training and a sense that work is to be enjoyed add up to Heat powering past its rivals into top spot this year

BACKGROUND

• Hats off to great leadership

• Getting the message across loud and clear

• Fly high with the X Factor

• Why it pays to know what you’re doing

BACKGROUND

• Charity wins top small company award

• Special awards for best practice

• Rules of engagement

• 100 Best SME's to work for 2008

Multimedia

• Highlights from the awards ceremony

Work can be pressured, but people can also relax. Holiday ranges from 23 to 39 days a year. People can take sabbaticals, and flexible and home working are on offer. Staff don’t feel exhausted most days when they come home from work (58%).

Maternity leave is boosted with an extra 12 weeks at 70% of pay and the company is developing a scheme to encourage women in its industry.

There are “make a difference” days to support charities. The company also makes efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and consults fully with the communities in which it works. It ranks 25th for doing a lot to protect the environment (77%).

Everyone gets individual coaching and the autonomy to do a good job. The company invests 2% of its turnover in development programmes and has its own grading system to help promote people on merit. There are team awaydays as well as team-building and planning events. Staff say the training they receive is of great personal benefit to them (81%).

Explore Best 100 Companies

• Best 100 Tables