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From The Sunday Times
March 8, 2009

Penna

Human resources consultancy

6
Penna
Human resources consultancy
Holidays: companies offering a minimum of 25 days' annual leave to all employees (63 of the top 100 companies/seven of the top 20 big companies gain this icon) Maternity: companies offering at least 10 weeks on full pay during the first period of maternity leave or a bonus payable on return to work (62/15) Childcare: companies that provide a workplace créche or nursery, or free nursery place and/or vouchers or cash to contribute towards childcare costs (92/20) Pensions: companies offering a final salary or non-contributory pension scheme, or one in which the employer puts in at least double the amount contributed by staff (50/12) Gym: companies offering either an on-site gym or subsidised gym membership or wellness programme (88/19) Shares: companies where employees are offered share options. These may be available to senior managers and directors only (35/10) Charitable activities: companies where at least 10% of staff are known to undertake charitable activities during business hours without incurring financial loss (43/12)
Annual sales
£49.1m
Staff numbers
272
Male/female ratio
42:58
Average age
39
Staff turnover
16%
Earning £35,000+
50%
Typical job
Human resources consultant

Companies hire Penna to help them focus on their people, provide accessible leadership with a lack of formal hierarchy, and to encourage individuals to liaise at all levels, and it is this same philosophy that has caused the London-based human resources consultancy to jump 23 places in our list.

Employees say there is a strong sense of family within their teams, winning the company an 80% positive score bettered by just four others. They agree that managers share important knowledge (84%, the best score nationally) and have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team (83%, another top 10 result).

People say that colleagues go out of their way to help each other, giving an 84% positive score, the third best nationally. Team-mates care a great deal about one another (86%) and colleagues are fun to work with (85%). Employees also feel they can make a difference to the company (80%), believe they can make a valuable contribution to its success (83%) and love working for Penna (82%), all top 10 scores.

Managers attend a Leader as Coach programme where they are encouraged to help individuals to understand their capabilities and development needs. Such input means managers regularly express their appreciation to staff (83%, and the top score in our list). Employees say managers talk openly and honestly with them (85%, a score bettered by just one other company) and truly care about them as individuals (84%).

Gary Browning, the chief executive, gives monthly updates directly to the workforce. Managers undertake conference calls with him and there are regional team meetings, a consultation forum and road shows hosted by Browning and the executive team.

With four generations of employees working at Penna, the company commissioned research on generational diversity so that managers could understand and respond to their needs. Staff are proud to work for the company (85%), excited about its future (80%) and have a great deal of faith in Browning (84%, a top 10 score).

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Shares: companies where employees are offered share options. These may be available to senior managers and directors only (35/10)
Shares
Childcare: companies that provide a workplace créche or nursery, or free nursery place and/or vouchers or cash to contribute towards childcare costs (92/20)
Childcare
Pensions: companies offering a final salary or non-contributory pension scheme, or one in which the employer puts in at least double the amount contributed by staff (50/12)
Pensions
Maternity: companies offering at least 10 weeks on full pay during the first period of maternity leave or a bonus payable on return to work (62/15)
Maternity
Health insurance: companies offering private health insurance for all employees, their spouses and dependants (47/13)
Health insurance
Charitable activities: companies where at least 10% of staff are known to undertake charitable activities during business hours without incurring financial loss (43/12)
Charity
Gym: companies offering either an on-site gym or subsidised gym membership or wellness programme (88/19)
Gym
Holidays: companies offering a minimum of 25 days' annual leave to all employees (63 of the top 100 companies/seven of the top 20 big companies gain this icon)
Holiday
Long service: companies where at least 40% of the staff have worked there for more than five years (29/7)
Long service
Women: companies where at least 33% of the senior managers are women (38/3)
Management

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