It is easy to see why staff at Office Angels often feel like they are on cloud nine. More than 30 training courses are on offer, as well as two talent management programmes for those recruitment consultants who have their eye on a management role. Employees say their job is good for personal growth, returning a top five positive score of 85% in our survey.

Founded in 1986, the secretarial and office support recruitment consultancy has more than 90 branches, but still ensures staff can reap the rewards of their hard work. As well as performance-related pay, there are holidays for the best performers. Last year the cream of the crop jetted off to Miami and Vienna. Company awards acknowledge hard work throughout the firm. No wonder the consultancy scoops the top spot this year, with an 87% score, when employees are asked if they love working for their organisation.

Workers also return a string of top scores when asked about their teams. They say they find them fun to work with (92%), working in their team gives them a buzz (84%), there is a strong sense of family (88%) and their colleagues really care for each other (89%).

Senior managers organise regular social events such as fancy dress evenings and family fun days and staff say their bosses really live the values of the company, giving a top three score of 85%.

Related Internet Links

• Company website

• Office Angel's entry in 2007

• Office Angel's 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

There aren’t many companies where you could stumble across the managing director racing a JCB around a track. This is a prime example of how David Clubb likes to muck in with his employees — he joined staff from the Swindon branch to get behind the controls of a digger, all in the name of charity — and of why workers say they are not bored at work (83%).

Clubb often welcomes new employees and, with the senior management team, frequently pops into branches around the country to meet his workforce, who have a great deal of faith in him (82%).

The company’s angelic practices go further than looking after its people — there is also a drive to reduce its carbon footprint.

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