HR Excellence Awards 2009: Best Public Sector HR Strategy or Initiative - Cambridgeshire County Council

It set up a board of employees from across the organisation, introduced initiatives and policies aimed at motivating employees, and launched a communications campaign to remind staff of the values of Investors in People.

The council streamlined its recruitment and induction processes and launched its Fit for Business scheme, which, with funding from the National Lottery, encourages staff to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The judges were particularly impressed with CCC's bold award entry, especially the communications campaign in which a cartoon dog called Vestor highlighted best practice. Each month staff could take part in competitions for the chance to win a 'Vestor doggy bag'.

When the organisation received its re-accreditation from Investors in People, each member of staff was sent a bookmark highlighting his or her individual contribution.

Judges' comments

Cambridgeshire County Council was seen by the judges as an employer that did not shy away from unusual ideas, such as the cartoon dog it used to make the organisation seem like "a nice place to work".

As one judge put it: "Cambridgeshire's entry should be an example to other employers hoping to enter the HR Excellence Awards."

HIGHLY COMMENDED - National Offender Management Service

The National Offender Management Service, formerly HM Prison Service, was launched in 2007 with the aim to deliver 'more effective working practice and cultural change'. The people strategy focused on diversity, restructured training, developing strong leaders, increasing staff engagement and introducing prison-work qualifications for prison officers.

The organisation made listening to staff a priority in its bid to improve conditions, and an engagement survey last year found 75% of staff were satisfied with their job and 67% were proud to work for the relaunched prison service. The judges felt the entry stood out with a focus on building for the future and using HR to make the organisation fit for purpose.

FINALISTS

DSTL (Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) - Facilitating strategic change

Department for Children, Schools and Families - How HR can tackle child poverty