There is no need for a stamp to mark out that John Bowler is a good egg. The head of this free-range producer doesn't have a job title, but staff say he has created a company that has everyone's wellbeing at heart. Founded in 1980, it is the UK's largest independent free-range and organic egg producer, working through franchised production units around the country to supply shops and supermarkets with 1m eggs a day. Bowler originally worked in supplying animal feed and then set up a service erecting poultry sheds as demand for free-range eggs took off. Today, his son Sam looks after new producers, his daughter Lucy works in sales and marketing, and people in general feel a strong sense of family in their teams (a positive score of 86%, ranking 16th). The firm is based in Etwall, near Derby, although it hopes to move this summer to one of its nearby farms and already has planning permission for an on-site gym to stop staff feeling cooped up. There is a good sense of wellbeing in the firm. Staff don't feel exhausted when they get home most days (61%) or suffer work-related stress (86%), and there isn't so much pressure at work that they can't perform well (85%). The company recognises that some people are motivated by time off, and offers holiday of up to 60 paid days a year, with some time gifted or taken in lieu for that special trip away. People have confidence in the leadership skills of senior management (85%) and think their organisation makes a positive difference to the world we live in (69%). Very few people leave, with a staff turnover of just 5%. A quarter of the firm's staff have been there for more than five years too. Almost all the 63 staff earn less than £35,000, but people feel their pay and benefits are fair, and don't think the firm takes advantage of them (74%). Half of the workforce does compressed hours or flexitime, and the company designs individual development programmes for employees as well as taking feedback on managers. People say the job is good for their personal growth (87%, a top 20 score) and the company aims for “no limits” to training and support.
