first direct has been named by the Sunday Times as the
UK’s 47th Best Company to work for, in the only survey
that ranks organisations based on the views of their employees.*
The telephone and internet bank, that employs 3,600 people
in Leeds and Hamilton, is one of only 30 companies to be
included for the third consecutive year in The Sunday Times
Top 100 Companies to Work For.
first direct’s record for customer service is maintained
as it was named the best financial company for delivering
good service (4th best out of all companies nationwide).
According to its employees, first direct is also one of
the top ten companies for laughter at work and top three
for work and family.
Alan Hughes, first direct’s chief executive, is delighted
with the results: “We all work extremely hard to keep
our customers so happy that we are recommended every five
seconds. But we enjoy ourselves at the same time, which
I think our customers sense and react positively to when
they speak with us.
“Our employees have busy lives, so our on-site nursery,
concierge service, restaurant and even complimentary therapist
are available to anyone at first direct to help them strike
a work:life balance.”
John Hendry from Blantyre near Hamilton works as a first
direct customer representative but enjoyed a day away from
the telephones last week at the Sunday Times Top 100 Companies
awards dinner, at the Hilton in London.
He was nominated by his manager to take one of the coveted
places at the glitzy bash in recognition of his commitment
to first direct. John, 50, has not had a day off sick in
his five years at the bank and he was ‘the face of’
a successful recruitment campaign a year ago.
He said: “I had a great time at the dinner in London,
which was much appreciated, but most importantly I feel
valued every day at work anyway.”
May 2004
Source: www.bestcompanies.co.uk
