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2024 Best Companies to Work for: 11: Raka

Published Friday Oct 18, 2024

Author Matthew J. Mowry

Raka501 Islington St., Third Floor, Portsmouth • rakacreative.com

Top Employee Engagement Survey Measures:
My manager really cares about me as a person:
100% agree

I am actively encouraged to volunteer new ideas and make suggestions for improvement of our business: 100% agree

Partner: Duncan Craig

Years in Business: 20

Full-time Employees: 20

Years on List: 2

This creative firm cultivates a culture of collaboration, team building, productivity, and mental well being. As such, it does not have a maximum number of paid days off for employees. Instead, it sets a minimum number of days (12 annually) employees must take to ensure they do not burn out. Last year, when the team felt they worked hard and could use a break, management gave everyone an extra week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Raka allows team members to work remotely as much as they’d like and reimburses them up to $250 to purchase items for their home office setup.

This is a company that focuses on team building and playing just as hard as they work. Knowing everyone needs brain breaks, the office includes a pool table, pop-a-shot basketball, Nerf guns, darts, cornhole, and video games. Raka has a private rooftop deck overlooking downtown Portsmouth where team members can hang out and where the company hosts BBQs and gatherings.

The Raka team is passionate about food and provides a kitchen stocked with snacks and beverages, and provides team lunches every Friday. The firm also keeps people connected through a book club, a monthly Spotify playlist, outings to enjoy bowling and axe-throwing, and bi-monthly themed cooking competitions. And dogs are always welcomed at the office.

Raka shies away from traditional “Employee of the Month” recognition, which it feels is stale and competitive, in favor of continuous feedback and positive reinforcement through verbal kudos in the office and through a dedicated Slack channel titled #kudos. Raka celebrates Employee Appreciation Day each year by bringing in breakfast and lunch and providing a gift card drawing. 

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