The quality of a service depends on the quality of the people who are providing it, according to construction management consultancy Turner & Townsend, which is why the company puts so much store in treating its staff well. Employees feel their work is an important part of their lives, giving a 75% positive score. They also feel they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the company and are proud to work for it, giving both statements a 79% positive score. The Leeds-based firm, which was founded in 1946 and whose clients include London Underground, the NHS, JP Morgan and Vodafone, is keen to encourage training and career development. The commitment begins when chairman Tim Wray, who has been with the firm for 36 years, hosts its national induction. At these events, the senior management group takes the opportunity to talk and network with new starters during an informal working lunch. This helps explain why employees say they are motivated by managers (65%) and feel they are helped to fulfil their potential (71%). The firm supports and funds training and career development at every level. The 1,272 employees feel work is stimulating, a 74% positive score, that experience gained is valuable (79%) and that the firm is good for their personal growth (81%). “Turner & Townsend doesn't simply aim to make money, it also tries to develop its employees as individuals,” one staff member says. “By giving them the opportunities to achieve their aspirations, the company has created a can-do and driven environment.” Managing directors within the firm have established a programme of visits to its offices throughout the UK where they meet employees to seek feedback and ideas, as well as answering questions and sharing the company's vision. People are also kept up to date by the directors on significant company events through the firm's intranet site. Wray also regularly engages with individuals from all levels through his “chairman's group” which reports directly to him with proposals on strategy and new initiatives. “The senior managers are not aloof icons, but are approachable people open to ideas and willing to listen to their workforce,” says one staff member. Employees agree, saying they are excited about the company's direction, giving a 76% positive score, have confidence in the leadership skills of management (also 76%) and feel that managers talk openly and honestly with them (77%). Line managers organise team building events and the company encourages regular feedback sessions. The approach seems to be working, with people saying colleagues go out of their way to help them and that teams are fun to work with, both 77% positive scores. As a result, employees feel that colleagues do care about them, with an 81% positive score. However, the firm's wellbeing scores show there is still room for improvement with the company ranked 85th of our top 100 companies for this factor. Turner & Townsend provides a range of tools to enable home working including laptops and mobile phones, as well as web-based remote access to systems and e-mail through home computers and teleconferencing facilities. The firm offers career breaks, and flexible work patterns include job sharing, reduced hours and sabbaticals. Employees say that their health is not suffering because of work, a 75% positive score, and that they have not been suffering from stress-related symptoms (76%).
