Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Very Good
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially an Outstanding
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a World Class
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Officially a Global*
Good Company
to Work For
Officially a Good
Company to Work For
Globally*
DEVELOPING POTENTIAL IS part of the package at the Irvine Housing Association, the Ayrshire-based social housing provider, which has shot up our Best Not-for-Profit Organisation to Work For list from 23rd place last year. Staff at this small organisation cannot help but gain new skills, thanks to inhouse and offsite compulsory training. Plus, they can ask for any training that might support them — including college courses, ranging from level 4 diplomas in housing to master's degrees — with all costs met by their employer. Managing director Paul Hillard is the most popular boss in the survey, with people scoring his leadership as inspirational (87%). He wins our special award for Best Leader. No wonder workers say their jobs are good for their personal growth, giving Irvine the top positive score of 87% for this. All their skills are used as well (66%, a first-place showing). There are breakfast briefings held in the kitchen over tea and rolls, helping to make people feel included. And if the group needs a vote on something, be it social or formal, an email goes out to everyone, with return-voting options. To celebrate Irvine's £9m new development on Arran, everybody took a ferry trip to the island to see the impact of their work on this small community. Employees are excited about the direction the association is taking (87%) and would not leave for another job (88%) — two more top scores. Irvine finishes first in the Wellbeing category. Holiday allowance is a generous 40 days a year (including public holidays). With a largely female workforce (52 women and 11 men), there are lots of mums on the team, and flexible working is entrenched. Maternity leave is enhanced beyond the statutory minimum, and those on leave are kept in the loop through invites to events, meetings and training days and job vacancy alerts. www.irvineha.co.uk
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Irvine Housing Association has maintained the bronze healthy working lives award and has just recently achieved the silver award. This has involved staff members and the HWL working group identifying which areas of health they would like to receive more information on. Information sessions were then arranged to which all staff were invited. Examples of these were alcohol awareness; they sourced time clock, beer goggles etc. and this showed what sensible alcohol measures were and the time taken for alcohol to leave your system. They promoted stress management and provided staff with a link to the "steps to deal with stress" guide. They also printed off information which was displayed and available to staff. They also held a 'glitter bug' session for staff which highlighted the importance of washing hands properly. Irvine Housing Association genuinely cares about the wellbeing of their staff and actively promotes a healthy lifestyle. They have policies and procedures in place, such as supporting staff attendance. A presentation was given to managers on supporting employee absence and subsequent training was provided to staff. All the activities we do are promoted through emails, notice boards, and word-of-mouth. The Association offers private health care and also a health benefits cash plan which is run by Simply Health. The plan is paid for by the association and there is no cost to staff. This plan encourages staff to have regular check-ups at the dentist, optician, podiatric etc. and all costs are reimbursed to staff.
I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team
As an organisation, Irvine Housing Association believes employee development is extremely important. Some of the training they do, whether in-house or off-site is compulsory, but staff are encouraged to participate in any other training that they feel may benefit them or support them in the role that they are doing. All requests for training are fully considered. A new learning and development matrix has been implemented to record and highlight all training requirements for each post within the association. In addition to general training, the association supports staff that wish to undertake college courses. Several of their housing and customer services staff are currently working towards their level 4 diploma in housing. One staff member is studying towards a master's degree and another towards a marketing diploma. The association supports these staff by paying the full cost of the course, time-off to attend and also time-off to study and take exams. Some of the other courses undertaken by staff include NEBOSH, EPC assessing and talent management assessment. Staff also have the opportunity to attend appropriate conferences which include finance, CIPD, CIH housing, repairs and maintenance. Again, all costs, whether it is a day conference or overnight stay that is required is met by the association. Irvine Housing Association over the last couple of years has participated in the North Ayrshire housing careers trainee programme. New trainees undergo an extensive training programme and spend time in each department. Recently one of their trainees was successful in being appointed to a permanent full time customer services officer.
I believe I can make a valuable contribution to the success of this organisation
As an organisation, Irvine Housing Association believes employee development is extremely important. Some of the training they do, whether in-house or off-site is compulsory, but staff are encouraged to participate in any other training that they feel may benefit them or support them in the role that they are doing. All requests for training are fully considered. A new learning and development matrix has been implemented to record and highlight all training requirements for each post within the association. In addition to general training, the association supports staff that wish to undertake college courses. Several of their housing and customer services staff are currently working towards their level 4 diploma in housing. One staff member is studying towards a master's degree and another towards a marketing diploma. The association supports these staff by paying the full cost of the course, time-off to attend and also time-off to study and take exams. Some of the other courses undertaken by staff include NEBOSH, EPC assessing and talent management assessment. Staff also have the opportunity to attend appropriate conferences which include finance, CIPD, CIH housing, repairs and maintenance. Again, all costs, whether it is a day conference or overnight stay that is required is met by the association. Irvine Housing Association over the last couple of years has participated in the North Ayrshire housing careers trainee programme. New trainees undergo an extensive training programme and spend time in each department. Recently one of their trainees was successful in being appointed to a permanent full time customer services officer.
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Irvine Housing Association has maintained the bronze healthy working lives award and has just recently achieved the silver award. This has involved staff members and the HWL working group identifying which areas of health they would like to receive more information on. Information sessions were then arranged to which all staff were invited. Examples of these were alcohol awareness; they sourced time clock, beer goggles etc. and this showed what sensible alcohol measures were and the time taken for alcohol to leave your system. They promoted stress management and provided staff with a link to the "steps to deal with stress" guide. They also printed off information which was displayed and available to staff. They also held a 'glitter bug' session for staff which highlighted the importance of washing hands properly. Irvine Housing Association genuinely cares about the wellbeing of their staff and actively promotes a healthy lifestyle. They have policies and procedures in place, such as supporting staff attendance. A presentation was given to managers on supporting employee absence and subsequent training was provided to staff. All the activities we do are promoted through emails, notice boards, and word-of-mouth. The Association offers private health care and also a health benefits cash plan which is run by Simply Health. The plan is paid for by the association and there is no cost to staff. This plan encourages staff to have regular check-ups at the dentist, optician, podiatric etc. and all costs are reimbursed to staff.
I have confidence in the leadership skills of the senior management team
As an organisation, Irvine Housing Association believes employee development is extremely important. Some of the training they do, whether in-house or off-site is compulsory, but staff are encouraged to participate in any other training that they feel may benefit them or support them in the role that they are doing. All requests for training are fully considered. A new learning and development matrix has been implemented to record and highlight all training requirements for each post within the association. In addition to general training, the association supports staff that wish to undertake college courses. Several of their housing and customer services staff are currently working towards their level 4 diploma in housing. One staff member is studying towards a master's degree and another towards a marketing diploma. The association supports these staff by paying the full cost of the course, time-off to attend and also time-off to study and take exams. Some of the other courses undertaken by staff include NEBOSH, EPC assessing and talent management assessment. Staff also have the opportunity to attend appropriate conferences which include finance, CIPD, CIH housing, repairs and maintenance. Again, all costs, whether it is a day conference or overnight stay that is required is met by the association. Irvine Housing Association over the last couple of years has participated in the North Ayrshire housing careers trainee programme. New trainees undergo an extensive training programme and spend time in each department. Recently one of their trainees was successful in being appointed to a permanent full time customer services officer.
My organisation encourages charitable activities
Irvine Housing Association has maintained the bronze healthy working lives award and has just recently achieved the silver award. This has involved staff members and the HWL working group identifying which areas of health they would like to receive more information on. Information sessions were then arranged to which all staff were invited. Examples of these were alcohol awareness; they sourced time clock, beer goggles etc. and this showed what sensible alcohol measures were and the time taken for alcohol to leave your system. They promoted stress management and provided staff with a link to the "steps to deal with stress" guide. They also printed off information which was displayed and available to staff. They also held a 'glitter bug' session for staff which highlighted the importance of washing hands properly. Irvine Housing Association genuinely cares about the wellbeing of their staff and actively promotes a healthy lifestyle. They have policies and procedures in place, such as supporting staff attendance. A presentation was given to managers on supporting employee absence and subsequent training was provided to staff. All the activities we do are promoted through emails, notice boards, and word-of-mouth. The Association offers private health care and also a health benefits cash plan which is run by Simply Health. The plan is paid for by the association and there is no cost to staff. This plan encourages staff to have regular check-ups at the dentist, optician, podiatric etc. and all costs are reimbursed to staff.
Companies offering a minimum of 26 days annual leave to all employees.
Companies where at least 40% of the staff have worked there for more than five years.
Companies offering a final salary scheme to all employees, or one in which the employer's contribution is at least 5%.
At least 40% of senior managers are women.
If you like what you see here and would like to know more about working for a
3 Star
organisation, simply click the link for further information about careers with
Irvine Housing Association
.
