BEST PLACES TO WORK

Summary:

This 27 strong, Hertfordshire-based consultancy focuses on social and economic issues and has public and private sector clients in the fields of education, health, enterprise, workplace and career issues. MD Pam Calvert describes the company as ‘a commercial organisation with a big conscience’ and tries to reflect this as a best practice employer. ‘We operate with integrity and respect for each other and the clients we work with,’ she adds. It’s not just PR Week which has spotted Communications Management’s credentials. The company has scooped accolades from Marketing Week, the Hertfordshire Business Awards and won the Parcelforce Small Business of the Year award.

Benefits:

Flexible hours, working from home, childcare vouchers, private healthcare, free or subsidised gym membership, bonuses, sabbaticals, career breaks, share ownership in the company, interest-free loans, birthday celebrations, annual award scheme, time off in lieu, financial support for qualification study, increased holiday for seniority, social events, company fun days, spot awards for good performance, in-house training schemes, industry guest speaker programme.

Training and development:

Last year a total of 220 days was spent on training and development of staff – that’s eight days per staff member. Development initiatives include knowledge days for every consultant led by external experts, a media school led by the internal head of media, bespoke training and development plans formal support for qualifications such as diplomas or MBAs, coaching and mentoring for new staff or those moving into a challenging new position, and professional membership of the CIPR and CIM.

Work/life balance:

More than a quarter of the team at Communications Management have family-friendly, part-time working arrangements. These include term-time only working, working three or four days a week, and working from home. Principal consultant Judith Hunt joined the agency on a school hours, term-time basis the day her youngest child started school. ‘Any parent will know children like their parents to attend special assemblies and sports days that inevitably take place during working hours,’ she says. ‘The company has always supported my attendance at these. The culture here means my colleagues have always been supportive of my working arrangements, even when I disappear for six weeks during the summer.’

Graduate recruitment and new joiners:

Graduates joining the company can look forward to career progression – Hannah Murray joined as part of the graduate intake in 2008 and progressed to consulting after six months, with support from her line manager and practice director. ‘It was getting the balance between providing support and giving me responsibility for my work that helped me develop as a consultant and gain in confidence’ she says. The company also runs a buddy and mentoring scheme for new starters.