WHILE PEOPLE MAY be doing very different jobs working in any one of Essex County Council's 323 locations there is a strong sense of unity at work, which nurtures team spirit. More than 9,500 employees provide a range of services to 1.4m people living in Essex. And the range of jobs offered by the council reflects its wide reach. Staff can develop a career in politics, business management, or on the service delivery frontline, all within a friendly and supportive environment. People believe they can make a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation (72% positive) and think the experience they gain is valuable for their future (66%, a result bettered by only two other big bodies). The Chelmsford-based council gets top scores of 75% and 68% respectively for colleagues going out of their way to help each other and managers regularly expressing their appreciation when staff do a good job. Training for managers includes learning about emotional wellbeing and employees think they have the best bosses of all big organisations on our list. Managers talk honestly and openly (72%), care about how satisfied they are in their job (64%), help them fulfil their potential (63%) and motivate them to give their best every day (59%). All four are top scores. Last month the council launched a new employee group called the Our Voice forum as part of its employee engagement strategy. It is also developing the Essex Volunteers programme, which will encourage staff to do charity work during office hours without incurring financial loss. Flexible working policies enable staff to arrange their hours to help them maintain a work-life balance. People say their health is not suffering because of work (67%, the third highest score). They do admit that the economy makes them worry about the future, with a positive score of just 36%, although they are less concerned than others (their score ranking the council fourth among the big organisations). Staff, 57% of whom earn £25,000 or less, get performance-related pay, subsidised sport facilities and a final salary pension. www.essex.gov.uk