An astonishing 50% of Lindum's workforce have been with the company for over five years, with 25% seeing over ten years' service. The employees benefit from flexible working options including job sharing, home working and term-time only or school hour contracts. The organisation also offers sabbaticals, career breaks, occupational health programme and a subsidised gym membership. It all helps the firm rank 5th overall for staff wellbeing.

Employees report a lack of stress, giving an 86% positive score, the third best among all 100 companies, and they are happy with their work-life balance (76%, and another top 10 score).

Another company that fared well is Hydrock Group, who came 23rd overall but ranked 2nd in the construction sector. Brian McConnell, the managing director of Hydrock Group, is not letting the recession spoil the company's fun. Paintballing, chariot racing, dinners and sports matches are but a few of the team events the group have offered staff. Even the annual conference took the shape of a curry tour, with business forecasts delivered over vindaloos across the country!

McConnell's leadership is one of the top three areas for Hydrock in the survey, and it ranks even higher for giving something back and fair dealing with its employees, earning the firm ranks of 11th and 10th respectively. Staff are happy with their pay and benefits (giving a 70% positive score) and they feel the business is not driven by budget concerns, the 74% positive score here ranking the firm seventh on this measure.