High-street retailers are few and far between on the Best Companies to Work For lists, and Mothercare is the only representative among the firms of more than 5,000 employees. So what is the maternity and children’s specialist getting right? According to results from the employee survey, it is a healthy balance between home and working lives, manageable stress levels and strong team relationships that make the difference. At 78% positive, only three other big companies got better scores for staff not suffering stress-related symptoms due to work. A score of 81% for having fun teams placed Mothercare fourth again.

Lest anyone think an upbeat staff environment doesn’t equal business success, Mothercare was one of the few retail chains to report stronger than expected trading figures over last year’s Christmas period, and took over the Early Learning Centre in June 2007 (inheriting about 2,500 extra employees into the bargain).

Ben Gordon, who became chief executive five years ago, says: “We like to think we can provide an environment that is as challenging as it is exciting, as fun as it is rewarding. Following the acquisition of Early Learning Centre we are busy integrating the two businesses so this is an incredibly exciting time to be working at Mothercare.”

Employees can enjoy their home lives at the same time as meeting their professional goals. Flexible working options include job sharing, home working, compressed or reduced hours and career breaks. These are especially popular with staff returning from maternity leave and, with a workforce comprising 4,853 women and just 479 men, it pays to ensure coming back to work is an attractive option. Not surprisingly, leave and pay for those starting or expanding their families is above the norm, allowing mums, dads and adoptive parents ample time to bond with their new arrivals. Expectant mums qualify for 10 weeks’ leave on full pay followed by 29 weeks at the statutory rate and 13 unpaid, adding up to a family-friendly year off with their job waiting for them on their return. A staff discount of 20% also comes in handy and is extended to one immediate family member nominated by the worker.

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Employees give Mothercare positive scores of 64% for being happy with the balance between home and work life, 66% for work not interfering with domestic responsibilities and 62% for not spending too much time working — ranking these questions seventh, sixth and fourth respectively.

Tracy Richardson, who has worked at Mothercare for 24 years and is store manager in Watford, oversees a team of 52 on the shop floor. “Our specialism makes us stand out,” she says. “Customers expect us to know everything because it’s Mothercare. It’s almost the second line after the health visitor, they ask all sorts of questions. People are very excited and you can share that with them.” Staff aptly say they feel a strong sense of family with each other (71%).

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