The economy can do somersaults but employees at Oxera feel their jobs are safe. These economics consultants, who work with governments, regulators and leading companies, give the firm a top 10 positive score of 87% for their job security. The privately-owned business is based in Oxford and staff feel it supports its local community, sponsoring one graduate student and a lecture series at Oxford University. It scores 72% overall for questions on giving something back, with a dedicated charities committee and a Christmas card designed by a child from Helen House hospice, one of the good causes it helps. A “green team” is currently organising a renewable electricity supplier and recycling. Staff praise the training and development opportunities at Oxera, giving the organisation 81% overall for questions on personal growth. Although it pays for professional qualifications, giving people study leave and other support, as well as putting on activities for National Stress Awareness day, it ranks in the bottom 20 for stress among its employees. A third of the 78 employees earn more than £45,000 a year and holiday rises from 25 to 30 days with service. Staff have performance- and profit-related pay, subsidised gym membership and a pitch provided for weekly football matches. The two managing directors of the firm, Helen Jenkins and Luis Correia da Silva, founded the business as Oxford Economic Research Associates Limited in 1982 and still aim to be approachable. People agree the firm is run on strong principles (82%) but they don't necessarily feel a strong sense of family (only 67% positive — the lowest score for this question among the top 100 companies). Work is stimulating (88%) and, on the lighter side, people can bring their partners to the winter party while the summer event is a family affair, complete with fairground stalls.