About Competition Commission

STAFF AT THE Competition Commission don't claim to have a monopoly on being happy but they are certainly a contented bunch. The 126 employees are not under too much pressure to concentrate (76% positive), haven't suffered stress-related symptoms in the past 12 months (71%) and their health is not suffering because of work (79%). Only 14 other public sector organisations of all sizes had better ratings for Wellbeing.

With realistic deadlines (63%), staff say their jobs do not interfere with their responsibilities at home (66%), they are not spending too much time in the office (59%, ranked seventh among small bodies), and they are happy with work-life balance (70%).

Together with the Office of Fair Trading and the sector regulators, the commission operates the UK's competition regime. Replacing the Monopolies and Mergers Commission in 1999, the organisation's role is to probe mergers and markets and help regulate industries including postal services, railways and financial services. Its employees feel it makes a positive difference to the world (70%).

Staff have faith in chief executive David Saunders (61%), who joined in February 2009 and was previously the head of consumer and competition policy at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. They feel Saunders runs the commission on sound moral principles (68%).

Employees — including economists, business advisers, lawyers, administrators, accountants and support staff — have a healthy average annual salary of £62,350 and they get performance-related pay. They say their job is an important part of their life (77%), feel stimulated by work (75%) and care about providing a great service (94%). They also say they are not bored (66%).

About £1,500 a year is spent per employee on formal training, and staff with few formal qualifications or who have not been involved in academic or vocational learning for a long time are encouraged to return to education. The commission also gives study leave and financial help with the cost of exams and professional fees.

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