Fish tanks and a 'nap room': the best work perks in the channel

Sunday Times Best Companies rankings reveal the quirky work perks of the channel

Channel companies are well represented in the latest Sunday Times Best Companies rankings, with the likes of Chess, ANS Group and Bytes featuring on the lists.

Among the profiles of the featured companies is a detailed breakdown of some of the work perks offered by companies to their staff, and some of them are certainly unique.

Below is a list of some of the best work perks offered by channel.

Office entertainment

Cubicle workstations, drab canteens and traditional boardrooms appear to be very much things of the past when it comes to channel offices.

At Manchester firm UKFast, staff can enjoy the use of a giant chess board, and if they so desire, they can even take a break and use the company's in-house recording studio. Last summer, the company transformed its car park into a beach so staff could enjoy the sun.

Attenda offers staff benefits such as movie nights, go-karting and indoor surfing, while at Bytes, workers can take a break by playing on the office football, ping-pong and pool tables.

Relaxation

There is no doubting that working in the channel can be a stressful business, so giving workers the chance to chill out and get away from it all is very important to some companies. But a cup of tea and a sofa is no longer good enough for some firms, and they have gone a step further.

Bytes offers staff a dedicated "rest and recuperation" area at its offices, while UKFast has an on-site nap room where sleepy staff can take a snooze.

Free booze

Anyone who has been to the CRN Awards will know the channel likes a drink. But special occasions and staff nights out are not the only time channel workers can get on the beers.

ANS Group has a tradition of Champagne Fridays, where on the first Friday of every month, staff can knock off early and quaff some bubbly together. A similar tradition named Beer Fridays has been implemented at UKFast.

Rewards

Recognising good work and long service is nothing new in business, but channel companies appear to have gone above and beyond in their quest to show their gratitude to staff. UKFast claims its staff got a five per cent pay rise last year, and it offered high achievers trips to Disneyland and new cars.

At IT services firm Kainos, staff who have been at the firm for 20 years are given a gift of their choice worth £2,500. While many staff splashed the cash on holidays, the firm said one employee decided they wanted a boat, while another worker opted to get their driveway resurfaced.

Health and wellbeing

Sitting at a desk for eight hours a day may not be the best for your health, so channel companies are keen to get staff moving as much as possible.

ANS Group gave all employees a pedometer last summer as part of its Active August campaign, which encouraged staff to partake in standing meetings and walkathons, and UKFast offers staff yoga sessions.

Reseller Chess has gone a step further and has a feng shui-inspired office which ensures lots of light, and plants are included in the space. The company also has fish tanks in the office to complete the scheme.