PERTEMPS PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT Group (PPDG) keeps the promise of its name to staff and clients alike. Since its establishment in 1997 the firm has helped more than 100,000 long-term jobless people into employment, aided many others to establish their own business and trained more than 130,000 people in vocational skills. The company began with a single office and 20 workers in north Solihull and has grown into a network of 40 advancement centres staffed by more than 600 people, many of whom were formerly unemployed for a long time themselves. Workers, who benefit from continuing professional development, believe they can make a successful contribution to the success of the firm and a difference within it, earning PPDG positive scores of 87% and 86% in our survey. Staff are in no doubt that the organisation makes a difference to the world (86%) and love working for the company (83%), which moves up in our list by two places this year. PPDG aims to unearth the sparkle of brilliance in everyone and it does that for its employees by empowering them through opportunities for self-development, workshops canvassing their opinion on issues from IT systems to benefits, and making them feel valued. Birmingham-based PPDG ranks first overall for giving staff a Fair Deal. Workers, 62% of whom earn between £15,000 and £25,000, including employment coaches who can expect to be paid £24,359 on average, are the happiest of everyone on the list with their pay and benefits (83%). These include free confidential counselling sessions, therapy treatments, scans and cash back for dental and optical treatments for all employees, profit-related pay, childcare vouchers, staff discounts, a holiday purchase scheme and a contributory pension. With employees based in offices from Eastbourne to Sunderland and Hereford to Grimsby, it's important to keep everyone fully involved. The entire firm was invited to last year's summer conference at Wolverhampton, and key business updates and a constant stream of information via the intranet keep staff in the loop. Each year more than 1,000 updates are published online from breaking business news to the latest internal vacancies, birth announcements and other important staff events. More than 80% of managers at PPDG were promoted into their position from within the company, reflecting the firm's commitment to employee development. So does its investment of £320,000 on training last year. Everyone is treated fairly (76%) according to staff, half of whom have been at the organisation for at least three years. Employees get a buzz out of working with colleagues (80%) while their bosses take an active interest in their wellbeing (82%). People say their jobs do not interfere with their responsibilities at home (77%). The company, which has won an award for its payroll giving scheme, takes its corporate responsibility seriously and encourages charitable activities (92%). Since its inception, more than 350 different good causes, schools and voluntary organisations have benefited from a £150,000 fund generated by staff giving. www.ppdg.co.uk