What are companies doing with regards to 'Giving Something Back'

In 2016, the firm launched the Epic University of WoW, a comprehensive development programme equipping lawyers with the technical knowledge and business skills they need to perform at the highest level and provide excellent client service.

The company minimises its environmental impact by continually reviewing and improving energy efficiency, recycling and waste management. The firm has bees on the roof and teaches disadvantaged young people about enterprise and beekeeping.

The K-West have a long partnership with the Foodbank charity in Shepherds Bush. The company organises food collections and volunteers locally. They also work with the Masbro community centre, with offer vouchers for fundraising and work placement for their youth programmes.

The senior management team takes part in six management-development workshops a year, delivered by an external coach. They also get a one-hour individual session with the coach, exploring weaknesses and training needs. This has proved to be very effective.

Keytree work with PlanZ Heroes, a food-waste charity. Keytree funds the work on a pro-bono basis, with an investment of over £200,000. Each October, they join in the Wok for 1,000, cooking and distributing 1,000 meals to London's homeless.

Teams often feel closely bonded after working together, often on client site for many weeks with intense periods of effort. Each project manager can take the team out for the evening on a spontaneous basis. This allows instant reward and recognition for work well done.

The company interacts with the community to clean up local areas and support their selected charity in preparing for Christmas and other key functions. Raising money for selected charities includes bake-off competitions, summer fun days, selling raffle prizes and volunteering time.

The firm believes in collaboration, leading to many breakthroughs, from medical miracles to simple consumer products that make every day a little better. The 125,000 employees in 60 countries are united in a common mission: to help people everywhere live longer, healthier, happier lives.

The agency works with Hand In Hand For Syria and Making The Leap, helping disadvantaged young people get into work. They work also with Commercial Break, giving urban adults opportunities in the creative industries.

The agency is founded on passion, respect and agility. They derive joy and satisfaction from the effect they have on audiences, respect clients, audiences and brands, and move quickly to ensure their value to clients positions them as industry leaders.

A volunteer scheme encourages employees to spend four hours per month at a charity. A match-funding initiative means £10,000 is available to match individual employee fundraising each year.

Managers' performance is assessed by their effectiveness in managerial tasks, teamwork, distributing work and delegation. This is documented by an online performance-management system recording monthly on-to-one meetings, and six-monthly and annual appraisals.

Placing employee wellbeing at the forefront of its operations, several staff have been appointed as mental health first aiders. Training has been provided in understanding mental health issues for both managers and employees.

Placing employee wellbeing at the forefront of its operations, several staff have been appointed as mental health first aiders. Training has been provided in understanding mental health issues for both managers and employees.

Monthly socials include events such as bowling, skiing, barbecues with the Chief Executive Officer and attending the Comedy Club, with food and drinks provided. There are monthly happy hours, fresh fruit provided and beer on tap.

The firm offers a Healthshield cash plan for all staff members. There's flexibility on working hours around appointments and family commitments, and staff have the opportunity to work from home. Interact also offers life insurance, the option to buy and sell holidays and provides fresh fruit daily.

Everyone has a sustainability objective on their job description. Community initiatives include working at food banks, lunch clubs for kids whose parents can't afford to feed them an extra meal in school holidays, and redecorating a local volunteer centre for disabled adults.

Leaders are approachable and accessible – they sit with everyone else at open-plan desks. Douglas is often there and can be quizzed. They're visible in leading sessions at company meetings, and lunchtime ‘chatwiches'.

The company recently researched how supported employees feel in relation to mental wellbeing. This research was a dissertation project that was part of an ICS-sponsored Masters qualification in HR. It produced a statistically valid tool to show what the firm does well and what it could do better.

An annual sales and management conference communicates business strategy and future plans, recognises performance, and shares success stories and best practice. Last year, 270 employees attended, developing ideas around the 'extreme focus' theme, which were widely cascaded.