BEST PLACES TO WORK

Summary:

Since Waggener Edstrom opened in London in 2001, the company has consistently grown in size. Executive vice president and general manager EMEA, Chris Talago, says: ‘Our work is made possible through some of the greatest talent, creativity and results-orientated thinking in the industry. So we invest in our people and our people invest in us – keeping our retention numbers consistently above the industry average. People are our product, developing them, engaging them and retaining them drives everything we do.’

Benefits:

Job sharing, working from home, flexible hours, childcare vouchers, private healthcare, bonuses, sabbaticals and career breaks, performance-related pay, secondments overseas, volunteer days, extra days holiday for every year in service, free food and drinks in communal kitchen, funding for extra-curricular activities ranging from computer gaming club to office poker school, employee discounts, annual awards, team away days and fun Fridays.

Training and development:

All staff follow a learning programme and work with line managers to make sure their training opportunities tie in with their career aspirations and development goals. Formal in-house training includes personal leadership, business insight, global expansion and agency citizenship as well as skills-based training. All employees are also given up to £1,000 a year to fund external professional development. Leadership forums see different perspectives brought to leadership and business issues, and staff at account manager level and above are given executive coaching. An annual global exchange programme also lets staff swap roles with people at other agency locations around the world for a taste of life elsewhere.

Work/life balance:

Staff can follow an alternative work schedule, including working from home or part-time work. Staff are also supported to work from a variety of locations, with money towards home and mobile internet. The company offers enhanced maternity leave and has a paternity leave policy, and staff looking to return to work are offered alternative work schedules around their family commitments. Special purpose leave is provided for staff to help with personal development, educational opportunities, special needs and emergencies. Counselling services are also provided to staff if needed, and income protection is given to team members on long-term sick leave.

Graduate recruitment and new joiners:

New starters get flowers, champagne and welcome drinks and are teamed up with a buddy to help them settle in. Ongoing support is provided through weekly one to one sessions with line managers.