WHILE COMPANION CARE'S vets and nurses look after sick pets in surgeries up and down the country, staff at the firm's headquarters near Wantage in Oxfordshire are providing them with support, including marketing, tax and training. Teamwork is vital for the smooth running of the business's 130 joint-venture surgeries, which brought in revenues of more than £56.5m last year, along with profits of almost £4.3m. Both were significantly up on the previous year's figures — the latter by more than a third. Friendly, helpful colleagues, opportunities for self-development and low levels of stress are key to job satisfaction for the firm's 1,460 employees. And there's plenty of fun to be had with workmates (84% positive), who look out for one another (81%), according to staff who find their roles far from boring (78%, ranking 16th). Companion Care's facilities are state-of-the-art, from operating suites to digital x-ray imaging equipment and comprehensive laboratories. Behind the scenes, the learning and development department ensures that all employees get the training they need, from job-shadowing to clinical and professional courses run by an internal “academy”. The firm's graduate scheme welcomed 16 new trainees in 2013.Staff find their positions good for personal growth and the experience they gain valuable for their future (both 78%). Almost three-quarters of people earn £25,000 a year or less, including veterinary nurses, who have the most common role and do 34 hours a week on average, in return for a salary of around £15,000. Recognition schemes provide additional rewards for individuals' efforts, and range from prizes at the annual conference to thank-you notes and £25 vouchers for “doing something really great”. Work is an important part of life for employees (82%), who are completely clear about what is expected of them (73%) and find deadlines realistic (70%, ranking 20th). Head count has grown by a third in the past year, and there are plans for the firm to double in size over the next three years, which helps people feel their jobs are secure (75%). Most wouldn't leave tomorrow for another job (74%). www.companioncare.co.uk
