Buildings aren’t the only assets in the portfolio of property consultancy Drivers Jonas. The country’s oldest firm of surveyors puts a high value on its 589 members of staff and prides itself on offering them a rewarding and challenging experience. Work can range from valuing an airport to project managing the building of a stadium for a Premier League football club.

Training starts from day one and is available to all staff, not just surveyors. New graduates are assigned a mentor and learn about every part of the business. Thanks to such efforts, employees give this firm an 85% positive score for helping their personal growth. They feel fully involved at work and think the experience they gain is valuable for their future, earning the firm scores of 80% and 83% respectively.

But a successful career at Drivers Jonas isn’t just about work. It’s about having quality time outside the office too. The property consultancy encourages employees to get involved in sports and arts and culture. This includes giving funds and time off to take part in events. In addition, teams have a budget allowance for an awayday, which is usually charity-based, such as putting up fences at an RSPB sanctuary. Once a year staff from the UK and Europe get together for the Christmas dinner. This approach results in high levels of job satisfaction and good team spirit. Workers have fun with their colleagues (81%) and care a lot about each other (83%).

From its treatment of workers to its efforts to encourage greener practices among staff and clients, employees rate Driver Jonas, the first organisation in its industry to be carbon neutral. They think the firm is run on strong principles (83%), is doing its bit to protect the environment (82%, the third-highest score) and are proud to work there (85%).

Related Internet Links

• Company website

• Drivers Jonas's entry in 2007

• Drivers Jonas' entry in 2006

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

The seven open-plan offices have cafes, table football and plasma televisions. Last year the firm introduced free fruit and free flu jabs as a result of staff feedback, and this year an employee assistance programme and a flexible benefits package started. It also offers childcare vouchers, free private healthcare and a one-off extra week’s holiday after every five years of service.

A third of staff earn more than £55,000 and more than half get at least £35,000. Home working is encouraged for fee-earning and support staff.

People love working for this organisation (78%), which may explain why more than one in four has been with the firm for at least five years.

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