HAVE you ever had a business meeting inside an igloo or a brainstorming session at the bottom of a scale model of a lighthouse?
If the answer to either of these questions is "no" or "What on earth are you talking about?" you clearly don't work for Capital One, the enormous credit card company based at Station Street in Nottingham.
A dedicated seaside area and an amazing "igloo room" are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fabulous facilities at this state-of-the-art workplace.
There's also a free gym, a garden room, a games area, a large staff restaurant and even a Starbucks coffee shop inside the sprawling maze of offices, once home to that other major Nottingham employer, Boots.
It's no wonder, then, that Capital One was this week named the UK's best large employer in the Best Workplace Awards organised by global research, consulting and training firm Great Places to Work.
Open to all UK companies employing more than 500 people, the award recognises the leadership, people management and positive workplace culture at the organisation.
Staff walked into the office yesterday to be greeted by a huge new display in the entrance foyer with every single employee's name on it and the words "Thank you."
Capital One moved into the site in 1998 and set about transforming the still bomb-damaged building into a spacious, light and futuristic base for the US-based business.
With just over 1,000 employees, plus an additional 300-400 temps and contract staff, the company is not merely the "call centre" many people in Nottingham assume it to be.
As you take the stairs to the first floor, the fraud department is busy at work in one extensive area, while on the other side of an indoor football pitch is a huge IT department.
There are regular events for staff – today there are medical specialists issuing advice in a makeshift "boot camp" as part of Men's Health Week. Meanwhile, a big poster advertises this year's Capital One Mini Festival on June 20 – a massive annual social occasion featuring entertainment including bands made up of employees.
And then there's that Igloo Room.
Essentially, it's just another meeting room but this one has the option to crawl inside an igloo and throw a few snowballs as you discuss your next business idea.
Outside this quirky space, there is a huge and colourful mural of a ski scene, with sledges, snowboards and stuffed penguins all around in case they should inspire you.
Tina Ridler, 39, has worked for the company for a total of 15 years, currently in information security.
"It's without a doubt the best place to work," she says. "It's all about career progression here. You are really encouraged at every opportunity. And while we might have silly things like the igloo, we are actually treated like adults rather than children. We are given treats like this because we do a good job."
Mark Zawodniak, 31, who joined the company ten years ago, works in the same department. He adds: "That's actually interesting, the length of time people work here. You don't feel you want to leave. There's such a big variety of departments and there are also opportunities to move around.
"The best thing about the company is the people who work here, though. Having rooms like this igloo room is nice, but it's your colleagues that make the job good."
Downstairs, employees are sitting in the university area next to the restaurant. Capital One encourages all staff to embark on higher education and will pay for people to do a degree.
In another area of the building, a managers' meeting is taking place in the dedicated music room. Behind them, the stage is set up for the company's many in-house bands keen to get in some practice before next week's festival.
In the corner, there is an enormous mock lighthouse (with meeting space inside) and a group of beach huts where staff can go for some quiet time.
Karen Bowes, head of HR and corporate sustainability, is delighted at the company's success.
"This award is not about individuals, it transcends all departments," she explains. "We were commended for our leadership but everyone working here contributes: from the MD right down to the newest person working in our contact centre.
"It's about how we communicate, how we have fun and how motivated everybody is."
