NATIONWIDE Building Society has again been recognised as one of the best places to work in a Financial Times survey of Europe's best workplaces.

And the Pipers Way-based building, which is the firm's headquarters and home to some 3,000 employees, was ranked as the 11th best British workplace in the Financial Times Best Workplaces 2003 survey.

Random employees were selected and asked for feedback on a variety of topics including professional development, equality, camaraderie and pride in their jobs.

The FT reported that Nationwide had a "wide variety of work-related courses available. The two main sites have gyms offering inductions, fitness assessment programmes, nutritional advice and lifestyle evaluations, plus fitness and outside sports facilities."

Nationwide employs around 14,761 workers and was last month ranked the best place to work in the south west, according to a Sunday Times poll of companies across the region.

It scored well for strong principles and good direction with the majority of workers saying they had confidence in the leadership of senior managers.

Tim Hughes, head of external affairs, said: "We're delighted to have been recognised, yet again, as a great place to work. The award highlights our focus on work-life balance, flexible working and family-friendly policies, as well as our commitment to providing success as the best financial services provider."

Great emphasis is placed on employee comfort with the spacey atrium and massive restaurant offering its workforce lunchtime diversity. And every Friday during the summer employees get the chance to take advantage of a barbecue in the palatial environs of the company's sports ground.

Nationwide is the world's largest building society with 12 million members and has undergone more than 100 mergers. It is one of the town's largest employers and sponsors the England football team, Call A Friend neighbourhood scheme in Swindon and the town's annual charity ball.

Staff benefits include subsidised gym membership, childcare provision and pension scheme, and better-than-average maternity pay, although the average wage for the largest group of employees customer advisors is just £10,773.