Life at Contoso
There's a lot more to joining Contoso than your job title. This page covers the everyday things — how we work, our offices, getting here, family life, wellbeing and the perks of being part of the team.
How we work
Most teams at Contoso work in a hybrid way, spending part of the week in the office and part working from home. There's no rigid company-wide rule — the right balance is something you agree with your People Manager based on your role and your team. As a rough guide, many colleagues come into the office around two to three days a week.
Our working day is built around flexibility. Core hours mean there's plenty of overlap when everyone's around for meetings and collaboration, while flexible start and finish times help you fit work around the school run, appointments or your commute. If you need a different pattern, it's always worth a friendly chat with your manager.
The dress code is smart-casual and relaxed. Wear something you feel comfortable and confident in — jeans are absolutely fine on a normal day. For client meetings or special events, colleagues tend to dress up a little.
Our offices & facilities
Contoso's home is Contoso House, and we have other offices across the UK. Our buildings are designed to be bright, sociable places to work, with plenty of choice about where you sit and how you spend your day.
- Food & drink: An on-site staff restaurant and coffee bar serve hot meals, sandwiches and drinks through the day, and there are kitchens with free tea and coffee on every floor.
- Quiet & focus spaces: Bookable meeting rooms, quiet zones for heads-down work, and a multi-faith / reflection room for prayer or a moment of calm.
- Showers & lockers: Changing facilities with showers and lockers, handy if you cycle, run or work out at lunchtime.
- Parking: On-site and nearby parking is available but limited, so spaces are allocated — ask your People Manager or the People Team how to request a permit. There are also electric-vehicle charging points for colleagues with EVs.
- Bike storage: Secure, covered bike storage is provided for colleagues who cycle in.
Getting to work
However you like to travel, there's support to make your commute easier, cheaper and greener.
- Cycle to Work scheme: Yes — Contoso runs a Cycle to Work scheme that lets you spread the cost of a new bike and accessories tax-efficiently through your salary, alongside the secure bike storage and showers on site.
- Car sharing & pooling: Yes — there's a car-share noticeboard (and an online list) to help colleagues who live near one another team up, split fuel costs and cut down on traffic. The People Team can point you to it.
- Public transport: Our main office is an easy walk from the train and bus stations, and eligible colleagues can apply for an interest-free season ticket loan to spread the cost of travel.
- Walking: If you're close enough to walk in, you'll find lockers and showers waiting for you.
Family, friends & visitors
We know life doesn't stop at the office door, and Contoso has a long history of being a family-friendly place to work.
- Bringing your children in: Contoso is welcoming about children visiting the office now and then — for example to meet your team, during school holidays for a short visit, or at our organised family days. It isn't a substitute for childcare and we ask you to give your manager a heads-up first and keep little ones supervised, but a friendly pop-in is absolutely part of our culture.
- Family days & events: The Ministry of Fun runs family-friendly events through the year, from summer fun days to seasonal celebrations, where partners and children are welcome.
- Parental leave: Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental leave are available — the People Team can talk you through what you're entitled to and how to plan it.
- Pets: Assistance and guide dogs are always welcome. We also hold the occasional charity dog day, but the offices aren't generally set up for bringing pets in day to day.
Health & wellbeing
Looking after your wellbeing is taken seriously here, and there's genuine support whenever you need it.
- Everyday support: A confidential Employee Assistance Programme offers free advice and counselling, and trained Mental Health First Aiders are around if you'd like to talk.
- If you're unwell: If you can't make it in, let your People Manager know as early as you can — a quick call or message first thing is all that's needed. Your manager and the People Team will explain how sick leave and pay work.
- Staying active: From lunchtime walks and sports clubs to discounted gym options, there are lots of easy ways to look after your physical health too.
Perks & rewards
- Share scheme: Eligible colleagues receive free shares in Contoso, so you share directly in the company's success.
- Discounts: A range of staff discounts and offers on high-street shops, days out and Contoso's own products.
- Recognition: We love to say thank you — colleagues regularly recognise one another for going the extra mile.
- Time to give back: Paid volunteering time so you can support a cause that matters to you.
Learning & growing
Wherever you start, we want you to build a career — not just do a job. You'll have access to training, online learning and mentoring, and we're big believers in promoting from within and supporting internal moves. Your regular catch-ups with your People Manager are a great place to talk about where you'd like to go next.