In recognition of the companies who really do go the extra mile for working families, we profile five of the best in a special weeklong series. Today it is the turn of Wales and West Housing.
Name: Wales and West Housing
Sector: public
Number of employees: 346
Nominated for: career progression, engagement
Career progression
What it does: Flexible workers at Wales & West have the opportunity to progress as well as those who work full-time. The recruitment strategy has been changed to support this, with all roles advertised internally first and secondments offered to allow people to experience new roles.
An improved performance development process has been designed to help all staff achieve greater progression, with investment in training offered equally to all staff, no matter how and where they work.
Why it does it: "It's an equal and fair way for everyone to develop. As it's values-led, everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the business. Leaders work in flexible ways as well as staff, which great role modelling." Giles Taylor, HR manager
Engagement
What it does: Wales & West's chief executive Anne Hinchey was voted the most people-focused CEO in the public sector in this year's HR Excellence Awards, so it's not surprise her organisation's culture is genuinely values-based with high levels of employee engagement.
Data shows staff appreciate the flexible working culture, with career breaks and flexible working options available. Open conversations are encouraged and the organisation makes sure it does everything in the spirit of fairness.
Why it does it: "It's not what we offer, it's how we offer it. Most of our flexible working arrangements are decided on informally through conversations and we adapt to people's life stages. We look at outputs. From an engagement point of view, it's all about trust and empowerment."
Tomorrow is the turn of law firm Mayer Brown
