NOBODY IS LEFT in the shade at Black Sun, the strategic, marketing and communications agency. Formed on the day of a total eclipse in 1991, the company rewards all those who uphold its values: determined, supportive, ambitious and inspiring. Black Sun's 59 London-based employees can nominate a high-performing colleague for a table for two at a restaurant or give them a formal pat on the back via the company noticeboard. Tenth anniversaries with the firm are also marked with a meal out, and everyone gets a card and a present on their birthday. Black Sun's staff agree that people are treated fairly, recording a positive score of 80%. Workers feel they can make a valuable contribution to the firm's success (87%) and report no disruptive colleagues (86%). Clients include Burberry, Carlsberg and Thomas Cook and staff find their jobs at Black Sun stimulating (82%). They also say the work is good for their own personal growth, (89%, the 12th best score in our survey). People are happy with their pay and benefits, which include a long-term incentive plan of profit and performance-related bonuses as well as free private healthcare (76%). Black Sun operates from the grade I-listed Fulham Palace, where some parts of the building date from the 15th century, limiting an open-plan office approach. But an open-door policy from the chief executive down means people do not worry about job security (85%) or the company's future in the current economic climate (77%). Employees have confidence in the leadership of senior managers (89%), and can discuss their ideas with them during twice-yearly company forums and in smaller groups. Staff say managers deal with issues instead of avoiding conflict (80%) and take a real interest in their wellbeing (85%). blacksunplc.com
