Home Group has been named one of the top performing companies in the country for investing in its workforce.
The group, one of the largest providers of housing and integrated care in the UK, has claimed the ‘We invest in people’ platinum accreditation for supporting colleagues across the organisation.
The award by Investors in People, a leading independent body championing staff wellbeing, represents the highest level of accreditation possible.
Commenting on the award, Susan Fulton, director of People at Home Group, said: “This is a really important milestone for Home Group as it reflects the amazing work being done across all areas of the organisation.
“It combines our excellent customer satisfaction ratings, which are above the sector average, our continued and increasing investment in communities and our brilliant work to recruit more apprentices across all areas of Home Group.
“We’ve also been named in the top 10 best UK workplaces and workplaces for women, and the fourth best place to work in the North East.
“Add to this our top 20 Stonewall Index placing, and it certainly shows we’re heading in the right direction.”
Fulton added: “The wellbeing of colleagues has been an integral part of our work since COVID-19.
“Early on we made the decision that those who could work from home, should, and have always ensured we provided a safe working environment for our frontline colleagues too.
“As well as ensuring everyone had the right kit, there have been weekly updates from the chief executive – both in emails and through video – to help everyone feel informed and work effectively and safely.”
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said: “We’d like to congratulate Home Group.
“Platinum accreditation on We invest in people is a remarkable effort for any organisation and places Home Group in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of people.”
Flexible working
Shelly Harrison, a management accountant at Home Group, home-schooled her children throughout lockdown. She believes the flexibility on offer at Home Group has been a lifesaver for her family.
“Home-schooling two kids and doing a full-time job is challenging, but the flexibility lets me spend much needed time with them doing schoolwork and online classes,” said Harrison.
“The little touches are always nice, from the extra time off to the most recent team picnic. It is so unusual for a business to do this and shows how much we are valued.”
Home Group employs 2,600 staff across the UK and supports 125,000 customers across England and Scotland – 26,000 of which suffer with mental and physical health issues.
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