FORWARD INTERNET GROUP is not backward about listening to staff, with bosses giving employees up to 20 days' “innovation leave” to develop business ideas they like the sound of. In consequence, staff at the media technology firm, based in Camden, north London, believe they can make a valuable contribution to its success, with a positive result of 86% the 15th highest. This creative approach has its roots in founder Neil Hutchinson's bid to pay off his student loans in 2004. After typing “make money online” into Google, he downloaded a programme that led to the launch of a marketing campaign and eight months later he quit his job as a web designer to set up TrafficBroker, the forerunner to Forward. It has since established web businesses around the world and in 2009 acquired uSwitch, the price comparison site. On its website, Forward lists the names of employees whose appointment represents a milestone, from its 10th recruit Marcin Ciszak in 2006 to Michael Cottom, its 350th last year. Employees say working here is a key part of their life (82%, placed 21st), and they are free to choose their start and finish times, as long as they do a 40-hour week and meet agreed objectives. The company has its own registered charity, the Forward Foundation, which helps young people in crisis, and employees do not believe the company's support of worthy causes is driven by a desire for good publicity (67%, a result exceeded by only 10 others). The charity focuses on small entrepreneurial projects in London and Africa, and Forward workers are encouraged to volunteer to help out directly as well as through donations. They say the business puts its fair share back into the local community (72%, 15th). Members of staff also care for the others in their team (82%). There are monthly events bringing employees together, involving food, drinks, entertainment and socialising, and there have even been Christmas parties in Las Vegas, with the company covering the costs of flights, accommodation, meals and entertainment. An employee-assistance programme has been brought in with a full concierge service, as well as counselling and advice. Staff do not feel they are under too much pressure at work to perform well (73%).
