Even if you have not been into a branch of Lush, the chances are you will have smelt one. The heady scents of the handmade cosmetics waft down many a British high street. Wouldn’t it be good if Lush were a legendary company? is the firm’s vision statement — with this its fifth year running as a Best Company to Work For it is certainly renowned as a great employer.

Ethical accountability is a feature — Lush is against animal testing and uses minimal packaging to reduce harm to the environment. Staff believe Lush helps protect the environment (a 77% positive score that ranks it in the top 10 companies) and makes a positive difference to the world (75%, top 20).

Individuality and informality are traits common to both the company, based in Poole, and the products. Items such as You Snap the Whip body butter and Sonic Death Monkey shower gel tend to attract both customers and employees with an idiosyncratic approach to life. Staff think teams are fun to work with (88% and a top 10 score) and that teammates care for each other (83%) and feel able to be themselves (80%, a top 25 score).

There were also high scores for questions on how people feel about their managers — they believe managers truly live the organisation’s values (75%); talk openly and honestly with them (78%); trust their judgment (75%) and are confident in their leadership skills (78%).

Promotions are made according to common sense, commitment, loyalty and adaptability. Staff return a 75% positive score and a ranking of 17th for not being so pressured at work they cannot concentrate.

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