HOW MANY DEGREES in fun do you need to become a playologist? It's a pressing question for Mothercare and Early Learning Centre stores across the nation, as the retailer has created this new role "just in case there is anyone who doesn't know how to or needs some encouragement to have fun". The chain's 7,541 employees return the third highest results overall among the big companies in our survey for the upbeat spirit and family feeling at work. Staff go out of their way to help each other (a 77% positive score) and feel a strong sense of kinship (74%). They also care about one another (79%) and have fun at work (83%), no doubt helped by a £150,000 annual social budget. The share option scheme is open to all, and last year everyone had a bonus that was related to company profit as well as personal performance. Staff share a half-yearly bonus based on their store's performance, which can be up to 8% of annual salary. Employees feel fairly paid compared with similar jobs in rival firms (58%). Three-quarters work part-time, and feel happy with the balance of work and home life (67%) and don't spend too much time working (63%). People don't get stressed in the job either (79%). The workforce feels the firm makes use of their skills (62%), and there is a new training programme called Brand Ambassadors to help store employees become expert in a particular area, such as toys, and then share this information. Bosses deal with issues, rather than trying to avoid conflict (65%), and motivate everyone to give their best every day (69%). Staff say they feel proud to work for the company (76%). mothercare.com
