THE FEELGOOD FACTOR is a forte at American Express Services Europe. Happy staff have voted the payments, travel and expense-management provider a Best Company every year bar two that we have published our lists. This year, contented employees give top marks for the balance between work and home lives with a positive score of 70%, top among big companies for this question. The workforce of 4,694 is spread between 24 UK offices and are brought together by the company's recognition scheme, Reward Blue. Employees' finances are in good shape, too. Almost a third earn £55,000 or more, while more than 84% got a pay rise last year. Staff say they are happy with the pay and benefits they receive (67%, third). The largest private employer in Sussex, Amex is keen to give back to the local community. In 2010, the company bought the naming rights to Brighton and Hove Albion football club's stadium, now the American Express Community Stadium. In doing so it has helped to support a wealth of activities through Albion in the Community (AITC), including programmes for young people and the unemployed preparing to re-enter the workforce. Projects such as these and Amex's renewed focus on reducing its carbon footprint by 10% by 2017 have impressed staff, who believe their employer has a strong social conscience (79%, a top-four score) and genuinely cares for the environment (72%). www.americanexpress.com
