DESPITE THE TOUGH economic times Matchtech Group prides itself on maintaining its funded social activities, from quarterly nights out to the popular company black-tie Christmas party in the Guildhall in Southampton, to which all staff and their other halves are invited. The strong camaraderie is reflected in the group's My Team factor ranking of 14th in our employee engagement survey, scoring 81% positive. There's a lot of fun to be had in work hours, too, winning an 85% score for the Fareham-based technical, professional and outsourcing recruitment firm. Staff find that their workmates go out of their way to help (81%) and care a lot about each other (86%, just four firms scored higher). That's just as well, given that workers put in 45 hours a week on average. The workforce is made up mainly of a young crowd (average age 30) and most new recruits are just out of university. Matchtech which also has offices in London, St Albans and Aberdeen, spent £100,000 on training last year. Provision ranged from its 12-month graduate trainee scheme to putting two members of staff through solicitor training to support its legal requirements in the future. Staff find their training of great benefit to them personally (71%). With the example before them of all but two of the organisation's executive directors and 17 out of 26 senior managers promoted from within the business, they can see a positive future ahead at Matchtech (77%). The company, which was floated on the alternative investment market (AIM) in 2006, saw revenues rise to almost £302m last year, up by more than £37m on the previous 12 months, giving staff good reason to be excited about where the organisation is going (81%, a top 20 result). Workers believe they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the firm (82%) and feel they can make a difference within it (80%), not least because they are completely clear about what is expected of them at work (also 80%). This clarity comes from good lines of communication. In addition to a quarterly presentation off-site to the whole company when Adrian Gunn, the chief executive, and his senior management team reiterate the five-year plan and vision for the business, there are the regular briefings, round-table lunches hosted by the executive team and the new company newsletter. Employees have a great deal of faith in the boss (83%) and say managers are supportive (81%). In return for their efforts, recruitment consultants get a basic salary of £21,000 and are among three-quarters of the firm's employees earning between £15,000 and £35,000. Exceptional effort is recognised with winners receiving a trophy, a weekend away with a guest and a day off work. Workers also get one extra day's leave for volunteering activities linked to the firm's chosen charities, the main one being Friends of Picu — the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton general hospital. Matchtech also sponsors a number of local sports teams and community projects run by organisations such as the Wildlife Trust. Employees say they wouldn't leave tomorrow even if they had another job up their sleeve (80%, a top 10 score). www.matchtechgroupplc.com