BEST PLACES TO WORK

Summary:

Healthcare agency Just::Health PR has already caught PRWeek’s eye – we named it a One to Watch in the 2007 Top 150 League Tables. This small, Putney-based agency invests heavily in people and their development. Director Emma Crozier says: ‘We want people to feel inspired and excited about coming in to work.’ Staff hold meetings on beanbags and the agency has a ‘curiosity box’ full of odds and ends to inspire novel ideas. The agency also holds themed days – recently Just:: held an Obama day – to help staff celebrate and let off a bit of steam. ‘You can be 100% yourself here,’ says consultant Rose Lockett. ‘If you have a problem, it is a matter of fixing it rather than pointing any fingers. You can speak to absolutely anyone in the company about absolutely anything.’

Benefits:

Flexible hours, working from home, childcare vouchers, private healthcare, bonuses, sabbaticals and career breaks, secondments, pension, short Fridays, ‘private membership’ of the local pub.

Training and development:

People development at Just:: includes formal six-monthly reviews and five-year career planning to encourage professional confidence. The agency has developed a tailored training programme for all staff, in partnership with a theatre company. Through the Just::Drama School staff role-play skills including media sell-in, giving and receiving feedback and inventing and delivering campaigns. These skills are all developed and honed in individual coaching sessions. Company directors train staff and in-house training includes finance and IT. Staff are also encouraged to go on HCA and CIPR accredited training days.

Work/life balance:

Flexible working practices are offered to all staff to help them maintain a work/life balance. Three team members, two of whom are new mums, combine working from the agency’s Putney offices with working from remote offices in Southampton, Bath and Teddington. Staff are also allowed to work flexibly around core hours of 10am to 4pm, and children are welcome at agency lunch sessions. Staff are also offered one-to-one confidential coaching to support their personal and professional development.

Graduate recruitment and new joiners:

One graduate intern position is offered per year and the company has regular opportunities for work experience, supported by a structured timetable. The company also runs a comprehensive induction process for new starters. Junior consultant and recent graduate Emma Moreton says: ’I can honestly say I’m never bored at Just:: I find the work interesting and I learn something different every day.’