Number of staff ... 321
Male/female ratio ... 40/60
Average age ... 46
Staff turnover ... 9%
Earning £35,000+ ... 13%
www.westoxon.gov.uk

Practices The council has a suggestion and innovation scheme called Eureka that gives cash awards for efficiency savings. It also awards honoraria payments for one-off achievements. The chief executive regularly praises staff for achievements in his “chief brief”.

The council allows charities to use its rooms and facilities free. They include the Red Cross, which gives lessons in skin camouflage to people with facial disfigurements.

The chief executive and senior management team hold regular staff events, which cover issues such as the corporate improvement programme and the financial strategy. The aim is to communicate these issues to staff. The council also provides one-to-one literacy training for manual workers.

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External coaching is given to middle and senior managers to help them to achieve their goals, reduce stress, increase energy and motivation and to become more productive in and out of work. There is also a mentoring programme to provide support and development for other managers and staff.

In partnership with other local authorities, a leadership development programme for managers has been established, which includes a series of masterclasses in aspects such as leading change, managing conflict and the leader as strategist and coach.

The council organised a Fit at Work week to encourage staff to be more active. The idea was to help busy people to build exercise into the working day. For one week local instructors ran taster sessions. Yoga sessions are now run during Friday lunchtimes and golf sessions on Monday nights after work. Subsidised spinning classes are on Wednesday lunchtimes at a local gym and lunchtime conservation walks are held.

West Oxfordshire has developed its WIN One to One scheme – WIN stands for welfare information network. Staff who have been trained in counselling skills offer confidential advice to other employees who are experiencing difficulties at home or work.

Pay and benefits All types of flexible working are available for all staff. About 50 staff and councillors have council hardware in their homes. Free private healthcare, subsidised car and bicycle loans and sports facilities are available to all employees.

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