IT’S obvious really. The best councils to work for are considerate employers that make an effort to ask their staff what will make a difference to their working lives. Whether it’s flexible working, wellbeing initiatives, chief executives unafraid to go walkabout or encouraging employees to give something back to the wider community, The Times Top 20 show that they have the imagination and initiative to make their workplaces stand-out.

Make time for fun. It’s not all work, work, work at the best councils to work for. This year’s winner, Vale Royal Borough Council asked its employees to play the tables at a James Bond styled Casino Vale Royal event to raise money for charity. Blyth Valley Borough Council goes one step further: it hosts its own Oscars.

Wellbeing at work. Giving staff a discount or free access to local sports facilities is one idea adopted by many on The Times best councils list including Sevenoaks District Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council. Chorley Council offers the services of a physiotherapist, therapist, counsellor or psychologist when the going gets rough. Chichester District Council invites staff to unroll a yoga mat or to stop lighting up with the help of a quit smoking group.

In-touch leadership. Whether the directors and senior staff cook some employees breakfast on Christmas Eve — this happens at Kennet District Council — or the chief executive knows everyone by their first name — a claim that Broadland District Council can boast — best councils’ leaders ask staff for their ideas.

Give something back. Staff satisfaction means making a difference in and out of the office. North Cornwall District Council gives its staff paid time off to do voluntary work — all they have to do is donate some of their free time as well. Others ask groups of staff to take days out to improve their communities.

Flexible working. Few people want to be chained to a desk from 9am to 5pm and council staff are no different. Crawley Borough Council is not alone in offering job sharing, reduced and compressed hours. Staff at Westminster City Council who have stuck around for five years can take four weeks of paid and eight weeks of unpaid leave.

Making the little things count. Rossendale Borough Council seems to have this section all sewn up. Staff who submit a Magic idea — that’s Making a Good Idea Count as opposed to a wand-related suggestion — receive a box of chocolates. Others, including Leicestershire County Council, give their employees people-pleasing benefits such as bikes for work.

And the rest. Enabling women to get to the top and providing continuous training and personal development for every member of staff is behind many of the success stories. Read on.

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