TO CELEBRATE LAST year's summer solstice and ring the changes from the usual gathering every two months in its London meeting rooms, Neal's Yard store managers went camping. The venue was the organic farm belonging to owner and chairman Peter Kindersley in the Berkshire Downs, where people were able to swim in the lake and see the Neal's Yard Remedies field where some of the herbs that go into the products grow. Since it opened its first shop in London's Covent Garden 31 years ago the firm has been helping people to live more healthily through the power of nature. Employees are proud to work for the company and think it makes a real difference to the world, scoring both points 83% positive in our staff survey, the latter in sixth place. They love working here (78%). Nearly every one of the organisation's certified organic products is handmade in its eco-factory in Dorset, using home-grown and sustainably sourced ingredients, with its British-made jars fired from Scottish sand, Yorkshire limestone and soda ash from Cheshire. The 273 staff naturally think the firm cares about the environment, giving a top score of 88%. Policies to use recyclable packaging, avoid polluting or toxic substances and use solar panels on its factory roof persuade staff that it does enough to protect the environment too (84%). The independent, family-owned business has more than 60 stores worldwide, home-selling channels in Britain and America, and 500 therapy rooms in this country alone. Employees, who think it is run on strong principles (83%), are excited about where it is going (76%). Last year's turnover of £18.7m and profits of £900,000 give good cause for such optimism. An employee forum enables staff to get their business ideas heard and give feedback on product development. People feel they can make a difference in the organisation (75%) and a valuable contribution to its success (82%). Four-fifths of staff earn £25,000 or less, including part-time sales assistants who make £5,209 a year on average. Employees give the lowest score of all companies on the list when asked if they feel fairly paid for the duties they perform (47%). Nonetheless they have fun with colleagues (79%) and say work is an important part of their life (82%, a top 20 score). Workers get incentive scheme payments and store staff are able to enjoy treatments offered by the therapists practising there at discounted rates and sometimes free of charge. www.nealsyardremedies.com
