GIVING BACK IS part of the package for staff at Penta Consulting. The telecoms and IT recruitment company donated £40,000 to charity last year, with 25% raised by individual employees. They took part in a series of activities, such as parachute jumping for the Weir Archer Academy, set up by Paralympian David Weir to provide sports opportunities for young people in southeast England. Penta has twice received the Queen's Award for Industry, the only recruitment firm to do so. Staff say that the firm, which is located in Wallington, Surrey, has a strong social conscience (an 89% positive score) as well as fostering good team spirit. When they aren't jumping out of aeroplanes, they are taking part in team-building events such as cocktail-making classes and even an incentive trip to Marbella. People find their teams fun (90%) and believe they have positive futures ahead of them at the organisation (88%). They also work hard, but don't feel under too much pressure to perform well (72%) and say that what's expected of them is made completely clear (91%, a top-10 score among small companies on this list). There's a Friday finish of 3pm, and, when sales teams are under pressure, staff are treated to breakfast and snacks throughout the day. www.pentaconsulting.com
