'Our IT business often requires all members of the team to be in the same room together to brain storm ideas and discuss software design,' says Martin Worner, Director of thecitysecret, located in Richmond, North Yorkshire - in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales. 'This means that full-time home working is not wholly practicable in most cases

Nevertheless, we aim to give our staff a good deal of flexibility to allow work to fit with home and other commitments. For example, we ask employees to be at their desks three days a week meaning they can work from home for two. Thursday is a core day when everyone is required to be in the office and is a key day for team meetings. This working pattern is an informal arrangement with staff and works really well. Everyone knows what is expected of them and they just get on with the task in hand, whether they are in the office or at home.

To introduce breaks into the working day, the company supports a number of healthy lifestyle initiatives. Our walking club offers 2-3 walks a week from the office door into open countryside. The walks last about an hour and are very popular. Other members of the team car-share to the local pool and enjoy a lunchtime swim. As we have a lockable bike shed, staff can cycle to and from work or keep a bike on-site for daytime cycling. We are even considering launching a debating society for those favouring intellectual over physical activity.

The whole ethos of thecitysecret has, from the outset, been about escaping the stress of urban living. Whilst we cannot offer our employees London wages, we believe we offer a more flexible and healthy working package in a beautiful, rural environment.'