IF YOU'VE EVER wasted your time watching an online video of piano-playing cats or dancing babies, you can thank Adobe for the technology. In an increasingly visual and digital world, the company is behind almost every type of creative content you can think of, from smartphone apps and video games, to films, adverts and digital magazines. Founded in California in 1982, Adobe Systems has continued to grow worldwide, and has 506 employees at its headquarters in Maidenhead and offices in London and Edinburgh. Staff feel they make a valuable contribution to its achievements, giving it an 84% positive score. They are also excited about where Adobe is heading (81%). Adobe has a competitive pay and benefits programme and more than half the workforce earn more than £55,000 a year. Benefits include free private healthcare for employees, their spouses and dependants, and everyone can opt for dental insurance, travel insurance and life assurance. They are happy with their pay and benefits (71%, a top-20 score). Togetherness is important at Adobe. The UK workforce comes together annually, and throughout the year there are several health, wellness and team-building events, across all sites in this country, including a family fun day at the Maidenhead office. Staff say they are proud to be part of the firm (84%). When engagement surveys found that people felt communication with senior leaders was not frequent or open enough, the company implemented meetings with employees at all UK sites invited to take part. Rather than annual appraisals, managers hold regular conversations with their teams, discussing expectations, development and performance, and they encourage everyone to contribute their ideas throughout the year. Staff say managers share important information with them (77%) and agree that they are spoken to honestly and openly (80%). Almost a third of employees participate in charitable fundraising activities, and Adobe matches any sum raised, to the value of $10,000, for each full-time staff member a year. In the past year, £30,000 was raised for the company's nominated charity, Action For Children. Staff agree that Adobe makes a positive difference to the world (72%). www.adobe.com/UK
