Practices: The council prides itself on having “motivated and positive employees focused on delivering a first-rate service”. And it works hard to keep them that way. Crawley continuously rewards staff achievements and helps employees to develop further. There is a staff recognition day and “Going the Extra Mile” awards, with prizes including vouchers and time off for team activities. In 2008, “Above and Beyond the Call” awards will be introduced for individuals and teams achieving well against corporate aims.

The council has achieved the Investors in People Standard for the whole authority and encourages employees to take advantage of a wide range of learning and development opportunities from e-learning packages to formal training courses. A dedicated learning and development team provides ongoing support to staff. Each employee has an “Investing in Me” pack as a focus for appraisal and training information. Development opportunities range from financial assistance for external courses to a foundation programme for leaders and managers.

The council also endeavours to preserve a healthy work-life balance. Staff can benefit from a range of flexible working options including flexi-hours, nine-day fortnights, job sharing, compressed hours and reduced hours.

In addition, employees with three years’ service are entitled to a 26-week unpaid sabbatical. The council is soon to launch home and mobile working, childcare vouchers and flexible retirements.

Crawley’s in-house occupational health service is highly successful. It offers medical surveillance as well as preventative services such as health screenings and stopping smoking courses.

It will shortly provide even more holistic support, including advice on issues such as personal finance and domestic violence, alongside workplace therapy sessions such as yoga and reflexology.

Staff at all levels interact with each other regularly, through strong internal communications and frequent social events. The senior management hold drop-in lunches and back-to-the-floor days, as well as roadshows to launch initiatives such as the corporate plan to staff. Employees put on a review performance each Christmas and throughout the year there are barn dances, quiz nights and sports competitions.

The council values its record on diversity, inclusion and equality. There are staff groups to ensure minorities are represented in discussions, for example disability groups and a women’s group. Last year also saw an equal pay audit, which will be repeated biannually.

Pay and benefits: Most of the council’s 758 permanent staff, earn between £15,000 and £25,000. Subsidised sports facilities and an on-site crèche are available to all employees. A canteen also offers subsidised meals.

www.crawley.gov.uk

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