SPECIALISING IN THE fast-moving world of voice, data and video communications, international technology provider Metaswitch Networks values innovation, an entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to share ideas in its workforce. As a result, it jumps six places up our employee engagement list this year. Working with firms such as BT, AT&T, Cisco and Microsoft, the Enfield-based company believes that its success is due to the supportive environment it has created for its people. Survey results suggest that staff agree. They say they feel their jobs are secure, with an 87% positive score, and agree that opportunities for growth are not limited (74%). People believe that colleagues go out of their way to help each other (87%). All are top results in our survey. Every year Metaswitch does well in our factor called My Manager, and again hits the mark with an overall score of 82%, beaten by just one other firm on our list. Managers are trained to understand their critical roles in being responsible for their colleagues' wellbeing, engagement at work, and career. Every employee has a weekly status meeting giving them the opportunity to discuss their overall development. Managers also spend at least 50 days training new starters in their first year of employment. Staff say bosses care about them as individuals (87%) and that they are open and honest with them (90%). Both results are ranked second nationally. Almost 60% of employees earn more than £35,000 and the firm's flexible benefits package includes profit- and performance-related pay, a share option scheme and free private healthcare for individuals and their families. Metaswitch has also introduced a patent awards programme where employees are given £1,000 if they invent a new application, thereby recognising creativity and hard work. So far, in the past year, the firm has had 43 new ideas, of which 39 are now patent applications. Staff say they are happy with their pay and benefits (73%, ranked fifth) and feel they are paid fairly compared with colleagues (72%, second). Many staff are in a lunchtime sports club, and they are able to take extended two-hour lunch breaks to accommodate these activities and make up the time later. As a result, pressure at work isn't affecting employees' concentration (79%) and people are happy with the balance between their work and home life (75%). The firm distributes 1% of its profit and 1% from its employee benefit trust each year to charities chosen by staff. Although there is no set amount of work time available for voluntary endeavours, employees are allowed to work flexible hours to support such activities. The organisation's backing is not driven by a desire for publicity, say staff (75%) and they agree the firm puts a lot back into the community (77%). www.metaswitch.com