Engineering its way yet further up the Best Companies to Work For ladder, Hydrock has cemented its standing as a top employer. In fifth place last year and fourth this time, its staff would strongly recommend a job here more than any at any other listed company, scoring this question 91% positive.

The Bristol-based engineering consultancy, founded in 1995, has a strong company culture which balances healthy doses of fun, respect and appreciation of employees’ family lives alongside professional goals. It is a highly effective approach, if the company’s 35% growth last year is anything to go by. Not to mention its staff turnover rate of just 3%.

The survey shows a contented workforce, with Hydrock receiving the top score (89% positive) for staff not wanting to leave. Employees say they love and are proud to work for the company, scoring these points 86% and 89% positive respectively — both top three results.

Hydrock staff can expect to go bowling, surfing and sailing — to name but a few treats — during their time with the firm. Team relationships benefit and so do stress levels; employees say their health does not suffer due to work with the highest positive score in the survey at 89%. They also do not feel under too much pressure to perform well, rating this point 83% positive, do not feel taken advantage of (76%) or think Hydrock people use intimidation to get what they want (81%) — all top five results.

Related Internet Links

• Company Website

• Hydrock's entry in 2007

Turning up the Heat pays off

Strong training and a sense that work is to be enjoyed add up to Heat powering past its rivals into top spot this year

Background

• Hats off to great leadership

• Getting the message across loud and clear

• Fly high with the X Factor

• Why it pays to know what you’re doing

Background

• Charity wins top small company award

• Special awards for best practice

• Rules of engagement

• 100 Best SME's to work for 2008

Multimedia

• Best Small Companies to Work For 2008

• Highlights from the awards ceremony

Flexible working patterns help maintain the relaxed yet professional atmosphere. Anybody can apply to manage their working life in a range of ways such as job sharing, home working, term-time only or school hours contracts.

Leading by example is Brian McConnell, the managing director. “I make sure I spend quality time with my family and I want that approach to be part of the ethos at Hydrock,” he says.

Staff have great faith in his leadership, scoring it 89% positive in the survey, ranking third on this question. His staff are the most inspired by their leader of any in the list, giving McConnell an 87% positive score.

The winner of our Giving Something Back special award, Hydrock has great green credentials. They are entrenched from day one — new starters have to sign up to the environmental policy included in the induction handbook. The company owns 114 acres of land adjoining its head office and has planted rapeseed on part of the land, aiming to produce 500 litres per acre of biodiesel to fuel company vehicles.

Car sharing is encouraged and car sharers are given priority parking and a guaranteed taxi home if their planned lift is unexpectedly unavailable.

Staff believe the company is doing enough to protect the environment, giving this question the second highest positive score in the survey at 84%.

Explore Best 100 Companies

• Best 100 Tables