Case study: Arbtech’s formula for a happy, remote working environment

A forest engineer with a computer in his hands works in the forest.

One company that featured in The Sunday Times 2024 edition of the Best Places to Work, within the list of Best Medium Organisations for companies with between 50 and 249 members of staff is ecological consultancy Arbtech.

Employee satisfaction experts WorkL powered the survey, using the six factors of reward and recognition, instilling pride, information sharing, empowerment, wellbeing and job satisfaction as qualifying criteria.

These are the key points that set Arbtech apart.

Commitment to employee satisfaction and benefits

Specialising in surveys to support planning, Arbtech is headed by CEO Robert Oates, who has made it his mission to offer the fairest salaries, the most flexibility, and the best working environment, and make Arbtech the number one career destination in the ecology sector. He believes in the importance of putting employees first and providing them with generous benefits. This helps contribute to a happy workplace culture with low staff turnover and employees who are happy to go the extra mile for clients and each other.

Current perks of working for Arbtech include a 40-day holiday allowance, a subsidised gym membership, a free Fitbit, a selection of free subscriptions (Audible, Pret A Manger etc), an unlimited continued professional development (CPD) fund, and a ‘Cheers Mate’ scheme that enables employee-to-employee bonuses from individual wish lists any time someone goes out of their way to help another member of the team.

Innovative incentives and flexible work arrangements

Most recently, Arbtech started a ‘Paid As You Level Up’ scheme whereby employees receive a bonus for completing books from a reading list that will benefit them both personally and professionally. With surveyors situated all over the country, Arbtech also allows remote working and the ability for employees to arrange all-expenses-paid social events as an opportunity for staff to come together and reconnect in a relaxed setting.

Another recent addition to the list of company incentives has been the introduction of sabbaticals for long-term employees in exchange for a temporary salary deduction. It means that an Arbtecher with five, 10 or 15 years at the company will be entitled to a pre-arranged one, three or six-month period away from work respectively.

Employee testimonials reflect positive workplace culture

Arbtechers’ comments on their experience of working for the company include:

“I can’t believe how much training I’ve been lucky enough to receive over the last few years, even gaining a degree in arboriculture that Arbtech paid for.” – Nicole Gullan, Senior Ecologist

“Although most of us work from home, the daily support between the team and frequent all-paid socials massively brings us together.” – Olga Hermann, Ecological Surveyor

“From day one, you’re made to feel part of the team and are supported in everything you do or want to do.” – Chris Jarvis, Finance Administrator

“Given the exceptional socials on offer – including a recent skiing trip to Austria – you won’t go long before your colleagues become some of your closest friends.” – Emily Kempson, Senior Arboriculturist

Everyone puts in so much effort to help each other out, including rewarding one another through the ‘Cheers Mate’ scheme.” – Dean Meadows, Principal Arboriculturist

Join our growing network of employers
Receive Make A Difference News straight to your inbox

“The flexible workdays are truly flexible, and they allow me to fit work around my life instead of fitting my life around work” – Shaun Rowe, Graduate Arboriculturist

“Having worked in other consultancies, the biggest culture shock at Arbtech was the flat management structure, as it makes sharing knowledge and requesting help so accessible.” – Harley Stone, Consultant Ecologist

“Every employee is fully trusted to do their job without unnecessary micromanaging, but at the same time, help is always on hand for anyone who wants it.” – Andy Ward, Marketing Manager

The view from the top

Through nationwide coverage and specialisms in a multitude of areas, Arbtech offers tree surveys, ecology surveys, biodiversity net gain plans, numerous protected species surveys and an array of other services related to planning. On average, the team at Arbtech assists more than 8,000 projects every year and has so far supported over 50,000 projects since starting work in 2005.

Commenting on the main aims of Arbtech, Founder and CEO Robert Oates said: “At this company, employees come first. Every time. Ask the directors of the firm you work at currently, what’s at the heart of their business’ strategy and success, and they start talking about client relationships. What they should be talking about is employee relationships.”

Sources:

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/static/best-places-to-work-2024-medium/

https://engaging-works.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/awards/FAQs+Sunday+Times+-+2025+May.pdf

https://business.workl.co/workplace-awards/sunday-times-uk

You might also like:

LATEST Poll

FEATURED
Logo

Sign up to receive Make A Difference's fortnightly round up of features, news, reports, case studies, practical tools and more for employers who want to make a difference to work culture, mental health and wellbeing.