PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT is more than a job for the workforce of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds: it's a passion. The charity leads our survey of mid-sized organisations with a positive score of 92% for doing enough to safeguard the environment. The workforce of 1,950 people, one of the largest in our survey, is proud as a peacock to work there, scoring the second best result with 88%. Formed in protest against the trade in plumes in women's hats in Victorian times, the RSPB is the largest wildlife conservation body in Europe with more than 1m members, 12,200 volunteers and 200 nature reserves. Employees give their charity the highest score for questions on Giving Something Back. They are sure it makes a real difference in the world (94%, the top score). Bosses notice that even staff who join "just for the job" become inspired about the RSPB's mission to make a better world for birds and people, since bird populations reflect the health of the planet on which our future depends. Staff are allowed one day off a year to work on any RSPB activity such as clearing shrubbery or bird counting. They love working for the charity (81%, the second best score). Mike Clarke, who took over as chief executive last year, joined the RSPB at the age of 14. Staff have great faith in his leadership (74%). rspb.org.uk
