UK’s 100 Best Companies To Work For have just been released and one of our Leeds-based digital agencies, Search Laboratory have not only made it in the TOP 20 (voted for by employees), but also more impressively, in the TOP 10 for ‘Giving Something Back’ to the community.
The award is part of Best Companies’ wider list of the UK’s Best Mid-Sized Companies, where they ranked 19th, marking the company’s ninth appearance on the prestigious list. The Giving Something Back category focuses on those who have supported charitable and community initiatives, highlighting Search Laboratory’s fundraising in the past year.
During this time, Search Laboratory has had frequent fundraising events that included walking the distance between its Leeds, New York and Austin offices, running the Leeds half marathon, volunteering in local schools and other local community activities.
The charities supported this year include People Matters, Angels of Freedom, Leeds Hospitals Charity, and most recently, Leeds Mind.
Analysing the work of hundreds of companies across the country, the list also gives credit to environmental initiatives and their impact. Search Laboratory’s Leeds office is powered by 100% renewable energy and sends zero waste to landfill – an achievement they take great pride in. Their eco initiatives recycle 81% of waste and convert 19% into refuse-derived fuel, as well as planting a tree for every new employee.
The agency also records the level of carbon produced through company travel, monitoring its footprint, and buying locally where possible. All catering is provided by family-run local businesses, as well as an independent bakery that operates out of the office kitchen.
Renae Shaw, head of people, said: “I love working for a company that genuinely cares. It's wonderful how every person at every level gets involved in helping others and the environment. It's brilliant to see these efforts formally recognised.”
The company has consistently shown its commitment to creating a company culture that its staff are proud to be part of, offering flexible hours and hybrid working. In the past year, new initiatives have been introduced, such as the recent hire of an in-house Learning and Development Manager to facilitate staff progression routes and the rollout of a new benefits package.
Some of the new benefits include increased annual leave of up to 30 days, a healthcare plan from day one of employment and further enhancement to its maternity and paternity leave. The agency has also introduced four-week sabbaticals for long-serving staff.
On a regional level, the agency placed 12th in Yorkshire & Humber’s 75 Best Companies, whilst they also placed 4th in Marketing & Media’s Best 40 Agencies.
Chris Attewell, CEO said: “We are constantly striving to improve and evolve our ways of giving back and for this to be recognised by placing in the top 10 fills me with pride.”
