GEOMETRIC DRILLING TREATS its staff with the same respect that it asks them to show towards the places where they are working. The 65 employees in this Stirling-based onshore drilling firm work from the Orkney Islands to Cornwall in the UK and might be based two weeks on and two weeks off anywhere in Europe. But the employees — all but two are men — say they enjoy a stress-free job (the top positive score of 94%). They don't spend too much time working (75%, a top five result), and are happy with the balance of work and home life (80%). People certainly don't feel the company is taking advantage of them (77%) and don't get bored (84%). Managing director Tom Pickering runs the company on sound moral principles (88%). "We have tried to focus on people and safety," he says. "There's a thread of our culture encouraging our people to recognise that they are in a local community and build relationships. All of that comes if you have a happy workforce." Managers are good at listening to their teams (83%) and Pickering says that they in turn have no hesitation in picking up the phone: "A lot of managers on the sites are great guys. They tend to tell me what mistakes I am making as MD, and I thank them for their direct advice." He stays in touch through monthly visits to rigs, living in the same accommodation and taking people out to dinner. There is an annual get-together to share news, feedback and plans for improvements. Every team has a safety representative, and they have a weekly call to discuss issues (which can include complaints that the food isn't up to par or that the internet doesn't work in their hotel). Employees feel they can make a difference (89%) and would be in no hurry to leave even if they had another job offer (83%). geometricdrilling.com