ACCESS GROUP OFFERS its employees an annual “big break”: they can choose two extra paid days off, cash, a pension contribution, charity donation or a weekend holiday in Spain with colleagues. The London-based business software firm managed to tempt more than 200 people on the vacation last year, from a workforce of 845 — giving a big boost to its My Team factor (a positive score of 81%). Access Group helps more than 6,000 firms and not-for-profit organisations with software for functions from ticketing to payroll. Colleagues old and new at the company's 14 sites say they care for one another (82%) and go out of their way to help (83%). Different divisions hold team-building events such as an annual conference for the support and consulting groups. People are encouraged to take part in charitable activities together (88%), with 37 staffers raising money for Cancer Research UK by competing in a triathlon, while raffles and coffee mornings generated cash for Alzheimer's Research UK. www.theaccessgroup.com
