Company Background

Rabjohns is an award winning firm of Accountants, Business and Tax Advisors based in Worcester. The partnership was formed in 1935 by Phillip Rabjohns, and now boasts a staff of nearly 40 Accountants, Tax Advisors and support staff. As well as the usual services provided by accountancy firms - including auditing, bookkeeping and payroll services, Rabjohns offers tax and business advice. In fact, its Centre of Tax Excellence won ‘The Best Tax Team in the UK’ award at the 2005 Taxation Awards.

The Challenge: Flexible Working Practices

Rabjohns needs to recruit and retain top quality staff in order to meet its clients high expectations and compete directly with larger practices. Andrea Palmer, HR Director at Rabjohns explains: "We originally gained recognition as an Investor in People in 1999 as a means of attracting and keeping staff.” She continues: “Our trainee Accountants and Tax Advisors have a very structured training programme, and we felt that the Standard would help our business support them." Andrea says: "Most of what we did met the Standard already, so it was just a matter of standardising some of our activities. One of the first things we did was look in more detail at our appraisal process and this has subsequently allowed us to introduce a 360 degree system for Senior Managers within the business." More recently Rabjohns has worked closely with Investors In People UK on a pilot site to develop the new Work Life Balance module. She says: "We have found working with Investors In People on this new module extremely helpful. We have used it as a tool in our recruitment process to attract staff and we are delighted with the results." Rabjohns have invested significantly in staff training, and are now able to accommodate more easily situations where a member of staff wants to work part-time due to family commitments.

Andrea continues: "The company has introduced a Flexible Working Policy open to all staff, as we believe this benefits our clients in many different ways. For example our Receptionist is happy to start work earlier which is better for our smaller clients, and the earlier finish gives her time to shop or go to the gym." However, in some circumstances things are not always as straight forward. Andrea explains: "We look at each request for flexible working on its individual merits, and in a few cases, we are unable to grant people the hours they are seeking. We do make this an open process though, so that our staff can see the potential impact to the business, and where we refuse a request we do try to go at least some way to what they are looking for." The Partnership has introduced a number of other initiatives such as “Action Teams” to look at training and development in different areas of the business. Each Action Team consists of a Director and a number of staff who focus on specific areas of development within their area. Rabjohns have also established special half hour mini training sessions to disseminate information in a quick and effective way. The sessions are presented by different people in the business and cover topics such as new accounting rules or regulations.

Andrea continues: "We have also listened to suggestions from staff about improvements in their working environment. We have regular visits from a complementary therapist and a new gym and shower room will be provided shortly". Staff are able to buy an additional week’s holiday and the company also provide child-care vouchers which are very important for working parents.

The Results

Andrea concludes: "We feel that by using the Investors In People and Work Life Balance Frameworks, we are able to attract top quality staff and compete with the larger firms.“ Rabjohns has also found that focusing on providing a flexible, caring and structured work environment has reaped immense benefits for not only the Partnership but the whole workforce. She adds: “Our average length of service, not including the Directors, is around six years now – which is very good for our industry." She finishes: "Our staff benefit from working hours that suit them, our clients benefit by having continuity of top quality staff from the partnership working on their business, and Rabjohns benefits from lower recruitment costs and a highly motivated workforce."