Best Companies Factors: Fair Deal

Autosmart International

All staff and their families have access to a free, confidential employee assistance programme helpline, offering advice on legal matters, finances, stress and anxiety, relationships and more. The organisation also offers free private healthcare cover, critical illness cover, and life assurance. For many roles, flexible working practices promote a healthier work/life balance.

To encourage employee growth, Autosmart International provides a number of opportunities, including internal training, through its Autosmart Performs programme, and its cross-team projects. The skills learnt through these opportunities help its staff to develop new skills, build relationships, and support their professional growth.

As well as ensuring fair pay, the organisation prioritises regular feedback of when employees and teams have performed well. Walk through the company offices and you will see plenty of handwritten thank you notes from the managing director, long service awards on display, and team recognition trophies.

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Manufacturing

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Sleaford Quality Foods

Accredited by the Living Wage Foundation, Sleaford Quality Foods ensures fair wages and provides substantial benefits, such as a non-contributory Health Cash Plan, demonstrating the organisation’s commitment to treating employees equitably.

Sleaford Quality Foods engages in community and environmental initiatives, such as supporting local charities and striving for The Net Zero Standard, reflecting the organisation’s dedication to societal contributions beyond profit.

Employee wellbeing is prioritised through initiatives like the reduction of working hours, wellbeing rooms, and a confidential helpline, which collectively enhance work-life balance and personal health.

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Food & Drink

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Space Architects (Europe)

Team spirit is cultivated through regular social events such as the Summer BBQ and Christmas Party, which are especially valued during hybrid working patterns. Monthly ‘Pizza Friday’ gatherings bring everyone together.

Wellbeing is central to Space Architects (Europe)’s culture, with initiatives including a mental health team channel, onsite gym, and regular yoga sessions. These were introduced in response to workload pressures identified in a recent survey.

Recognition is immediate and inclusive, with initiatives like ‘Well Done and Wonderful’ shout-outs, quarterly funded nights out, and a shared end-of-year success bonus reinforcing fairness and appreciation.

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Architect & Surveyor

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Unity Trust Bank

Unity Trust Bank supports personal growth by offering professional qualification support, including five paid days for professional development. Initiatives like the 'New to line management at Unity' sessions and the Leading with Empathy programme help employees advance their skills and career opportunities.

With a focus on wellbeing, Unity Trust Bank offers activities like mindfulness sessions and health awareness campaigns through its Unity & Me programme. The bank has increased its number of Mental Health First Aiders, promoting a supportive environment for mental health.

Unity Trust Bank ensures fair treatment through its profit share incentive scheme, which paid out 9% of base salary in 2024, and by being the first UK bank to pay the Real Living Wage, demonstrating its commitment to equitable employee compensation.

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Financial Services

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Keech Hospice

Placing a focus on personal growth, Keech Hospice care offer a wide range of development opportunities and regular training. As well as mandatory training the organisation also runs internal and external courses, as well as providing regular opportunities for staff to discuss their personal development needs.

The hospice understands just how important it is to look after the mental wellbeing of its staff, and therefore has a dedicated support programme and an employee assistance programme which provides practical information, resources and confidential counselling to all staff and their families.

Staff can look forward to fresh hot meals, sandwiches and snacks, thanks to Keech Hospice Care's excellent on-site catering facilities. Employee benefits also include a competitive salary with increments based on performance and training, as well as contribution pension scheme, childcare vouchers and free parking.

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Charity's

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Creed Foodservice

Whilst its gender pay gap compares favourably with organisations across the UK economy and wholesale sector, Creed Foodservice is not complacent and is committed to further reducing the gap. This includes removing barriers to gender equality such as the proportion of men and women applying for roles.

The Food Innovation Centre is used as a hub for staff to meet in a relaxed atmosphere with food provided by an executive chef team. Being named as a Top 100 Best Company to Work For in 2022 saw events bringing all departments together with raffles and events held throughout the day.

In 2022, Creed launched its leadership development programme for all 34 people managers - a yearlong commitment to both online and face-to-face sessions developed in conjunction with QuoLux - a leading international consultancy and leadership development company. Modules include Leading self, Leading teams, and Leading change.

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Food & Drink

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Ashton Fire Ltd

Team spirit is nurtured through regular in-person gatherings, including quarterly meetings and social activities, which promote bonding and a sense of belonging among colleagues, whether they are working remotely or in the office.

Ashton Fire prioritises employee wellbeing with mental health first aiders and comprehensive healthcare options, ensuring that staff have the resources and support needed to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Employees benefit from a comprehensive package, including BUPA healthcare, enhanced family leave, and a Medicash plan, offering a fair and competitive deal that underscores Ashton Fire's commitment to employee welfare.

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Consultancy

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Audley Group

Audley Group’s Appreciation programme allows any employee to show appreciation for their colleagues via its platform, Spirit. Every month, all Appreciation “Shout Outs” are entered into a prize draw where they can win one of 20 prizes.

The Audley Foundation raises money to improve the lives of older people, particularly the lonely and less fortunate members of society. Once a year, the organisation runs a Match-Fund Challenge to raise funds for the Foundation, and Audley Group matches up to £1000 per village or office.

Audley Group is supported by the Audley Academy, its internal Learning & Development team. In addition to the mandatory learning required, they create and source online content hosted on the organisation’s LMS. Audley Group also offers a wide range of Apprenticeships in partnership with carefully chosen providers to bring the best learner experience.

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Health & Social Care

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Macbeth Insurance Brokers

Macbeth, as an accredited living wage employer, ensures fair treatment of employees, recognising performance with rewards like Amazon vouchers, Star Player awards, and quarterly bonuses, aligning pay and benefits with industry standards.

Macbeth actively engages in community support by sponsoring local charities such as Pride of Reading and encouraging employees to participate in volunteering and charitable initiatives, reflecting genuine social responsibility.

Macbeth demonstrates its commitment to employee wellbeing through the Group PMI scheme, which includes mental health support, and Employee Assistance Programme initiatives, ensuring a healthy balance between work and home life.

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Insurance

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Paradigm Housing Group

Paradigm Housing Group takes a holistic approach to wellbeing by offering a range of support services that cover mental and physical health. These services include a healthcare cash plan worth over £1,800 per year, an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders, and speakers, such as Andy’s Man Club, who promote mental wellbeing and training.

Employees at Paradigm Housing Group have the chance to earn ‘Paradigm Points’ by demonstrating a behaviour relating to one of the organisation’s values and by going above and beyond day-to-day expectations. These points have a cash value that can be used to purchase certain goods at a discount or be redeemed into gift cards.

The Group’s social committee runs regular team building activities such as quizzes, pop up socials, and football related events. Every year, the organisation also hosts both a themed summer festival and a Christmas party to bring its teams together and celebrate their achievements. This year’s summer party had an Olympics theme.

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Housing Associations

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Fairness Counts

Autosmart International

Sleaford Quality Foods

Space Architects (Europe)

Unity Trust Bank

Keech Hospice

Creed Foodservice

Ashton Fire Ltd

Audley Group

Macbeth Insurance Brokers

Paradigm Housing Group

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