A local company - Bettys and Taylors of Harrogate - has recently been crowned the best employer in Yorkshire and the 43rd best in the entire country.

The research, conducted for the Sunday Times annual 100 Best Companies to Work For list, found that Bettys fostered a family atmosphere among its workforce and that no fewer than 74 per cent of employees "loved" working for the business. As many as 80 per cent said they felt proud to work for Bettys.

Bettys is clearly a happy place to work, with 87 per cent of employees admitting that they "laughed a lot" with colleagues and 82 per cent having fun at work.

This level of employee satisfaction would be enviable to many employers. Bettys will no doubt be able to point to increased productivity and lower absence levels as a result. So how can such a positive relationship be fostered?

The extensive recruitment information posted on Bettys website makes it clear that a proportion of the company's profits is shared among staff. A commitment to the best possible working conditions and the training and welfare of all staff is also highlighted.

As is often the case, it is also the small things that make the difference. Bettys is one of the few employers to continue the practice of long-service awards - in this case, the awards take the form of additional holiday entitlement. A company sick pay scheme is operated - again, bucking the trend of paying only statutory sick pay. Other touches include ensuring that all new recruits are introduced to the managing director and chairman shortly after starting work and celebrating personal events such as birthdays, marriages and the birth of children. Ideas for improving the company's business are rewarded with prizes and, apparently, special assistance to customers rewarded with bottles of champagne.

All employers can take note of Bettys achievements and their innovative approach to employee relations. For those wondering which employer was number one nationally, it was WL Gore and Associates (UK) Limited - the manufacturers of Gore-Tex.

- Stephen Elliott is a solicitor in the employment team of North-East law firm Ward Hadaway. He can be contacted on 0191-204 4000 or by email at stephen.elliott@wardhadaway.com

Published: 12/04/2005