Social Awareness

Our Belief
The practice of architecture is inseparable from the social and economic values of the individuals who practise it and the society which sustains it. We as individuals are responsible for contributing to the welfare of mankind, the society in which we practise, and the team with whom we work.

Our Aims
We aim to produce work which is beneficial to society. We exclude work related directly to war or which contributes to the extensive pollution of our environment.

How We Work
In order to do work of the highest quality, we carefully control the size of the office and the selection of our projects. We recognise that work is not an end in itself and that a balanced life must include the enjoyment of leisure and the time to think.

Our Charitable Ownership
Our Practice is owned by a Charitable Trust. No individual owns any share in the value of the Practice. In this way, private trading and inheritance of shares is eliminated and any residual value is returned to society through the Charitable Trust.

How We Are Organised
We believe in an equitable and transparent sharing of the rewards of our work. The earnings of the directors are fixed in proportion to those of the lowest paid fully qualified architect. After reserves and tax, any profits are divided between all of the staff and charities according to publicly-declared principles. We believe that these arrangements nurture an ethos of collective responsibility to each other, satisfaction in the work we produce and a sense of wider social responsibility.

Charity
Around 20% of all profits is donated to charitable causes every year. Each director and employee directs their share of the charitable distribution to charities of their own choice. Over the years, substantial sums of money have been paid to charitable causes.

Employee Benefits
As a world-class architectural practice, we recognise that a healthy work/life balance for all employees is essential in helping us to achieve excellence in what we do. Staff at RSHP enjoy some of the best employee benefits in the industry.

Financial
Group Life Assurance scheme - Group Income Protection scheme - Season ticket loan - Personal Accident insurance - Free access to financial advisors - Long service award - Charitable distribution - Profit share

Sustenance
Subsidised lunches - Free daily breakfasts & fruits - Free dinners for late workers

Training
CPD talks - Training courses

Wellbeing
Private healthcare - BUPA health checks - Cycle to Work scheme - Corporate rate gym membership - Free weekly Yoga classes - Taxis home for late workers - Employee assistance program

Employee Benefits (continued)

Study
Part 3 study leave & support (fiscal & otherwise) - 6 recall days for Part 2 students - 5 days study leave (career related further professional development) - 3 days personal study leave (not linked to work but personal development) - RIBA subscriptions - Subs for other professional associations

Social
Christmas party - Summer party - Fireworks party - Film club with dinner & drinks - 3-day annual overseas office trip (all staff) - Access to weekend retreat house in the countryside - Drawing classes - Photographic competitions & exhibitions

Holidays
25 days holiday plus bank holidays and an extra 3 or 4 days at Christmas

Work/Life Balance
Enhanced maternity & paternity leave - Childcare vouchers - Flexible working requests considered & granted where possible for the business - Compassionate leave

I.T. Support
Laptops, Blackberries, mobile phones provided for working remotely