Homeserve GB sorts out a reliable plumber for those desperate moments when the washing machine starts leaking all over the kitchen floor. A regular on the Best Companies list, it offers home insurance for such emergencies, as well as accredited engineers, electricians and plumbers for individual and business customers. The organisation grew out of a division of South Staffordshire Water and has become a public company of 1,097 staff, mostly sales executives working from a head office in Walsall in the West Midlands. The helpfulness Homeserve extends to its customers is a way of life. People go out of their way to assist each other and staff say the firm really helps its employees (both positive scores of 78%). Staff care about each other (80%), have a strong sense of family (74%) and have a lot of fun together (82%), the latter a top 50 result. Homeserve has created an employee volunteering programme and 138 people have joined, working on projects such as the ITV Big Clean Up rubbish-collecting day and assisting reading at a local special needs school. The firm donates money to charities such as Cancer Research UK and aims to be more environmentally friendly by implementing recycling schemes. Staff say it does its bit to protect the environment (71%), which ranks the company in the top 25 on this measure. The company invests about £9,000 a year in a wellness programme, offering a Wellbeing Wednesday with free on-site massages, check-ups and a relaxation room. There are free annual flu jabs and gym membership too. Most staff say they have had no work-related stress in the past 12 months (75%) and have a good balance of home and working life (70%), the latter score placing Homeserve just outside the top 30. The company spends £435,000 a year to cover the cost of an on-site restaurant and catering contractor, offering reduced prices and free drinks vending machines. Staff have contributory pensions, holiday ranging from 22 to 25 days a year and everyone works staggered hours. People say their job is good for their personal growth, returning a 71% positive score. Homeserve is committed to helping employees progress and offers opportunities for people of all levels. As well as training initiatives such as its in-house marketing academy, staff can be sponsored through professional qualifications. They feel the experience they gain is valuable for their future (73%). Leadership has changed frequently in the past decade and the firm has just appointed a new chief executive, Jon Florsheim. Richard Harpin, who was in the role when our survey was carried out, has returned to the job of group chief executive, which he had filled for 12 years. Harpin invites employees for a free lunch once a month to get to know people, and runs an online question and answer service, Ask Richard, to discuss any issues the workforce may raise. Everyone is given a briefing on the state of the business twice a year and staff say that their managers are open and honest with them (79%), a top 40 score. Every month someone is nominated by senior management for their contribution to the business and receives a £1,000 bonus. Another award recognises outstanding achievements at other contact centres the firm works with: winners get champagne, £25 in gift vouchers and a ticket in the draw for a loan of the company Mini Cooper for the month. Additional perks include theatre and shopping trips, Christmas and summer balls, and even celebrations for the World Cup. There is a sense of excitement about the organisation's future (78%) and staff feel they can make a valuable contribution to its success, giving a 74% score. Working at Homeserve comes strongly recommended (77%).