United Welsh named 4th Best Workplace in UK 2005

United Welsh housing association has been named among the five best places to work in the UK in the Financial Times 2005 ‘Best Workplaces’ Special Report for the second consecutive year.

The Association was named as the fifth best workplace last year - becoming the first non profit organisation ever to achieve a place in the top 10 – and this year was named as NUMBER FOUR in the UK. The Association is also ranked among the top 100 places to work in the whole of Europe, is the top workplace in Wales, and the top non-profit organisation in the European Union. 

The awards are a result of extensive research carried out by AccountAbility and Great Place to Work® Institute Europe, in conjunction with the Financial Times. Companies achieve a ranking based on employee responses to an on-line survey and the 50 highest scoring companies make it on to the list.

The only Welsh company to be listed in the top 15 places to work, United Welsh was selected from more than 1,000 European companies who had been nominated by their employees. Responses to the survey demonstrated that they value the culture of trust created by United Welsh.

United Welsh provides over 3,500 homes to rent throughout South Wales. The Association prides itself on its approach to staff relations and recognises that the quality of its people is a key factor in its success.

The Association employs 125 staff at its Caerphilly and Cardiff offices, half of whom have worked for the organisation for over five years, and has introduced a variety of initiatives designed to make the organisation a desirable place to work.

United Welsh and UNISON, the union which represents and speaks on behalf of its employees, have successfully developed a partnership style of working which involves the union in decision-making at an early stage and enables issues of concern to staff to be taken fully into account. Employment relations are positive and conducted with mutual trust and 65% of permanent employees are union members.

Recognised as an Investor in People, United Welsh prides itself on being one of the most family friendly organisations in Wales. Paternity leave was already in place months before the legislation and the Association has broken new ground by introducing term-time contracts which allow parents to take leave of absence to care for children during school holidays.

United Welsh has an Equal Opportunities Working Party which develops policies to promote equality and diversity in the workplace, and to help employees achieve a healthy work/life balance.  It operates an active flexible working policy with its employees, with several opting for homeworking, flexible start and finish times and job share arrangements.

Each member of staff has an annual development review and a confidential staff survey is conducted each year. 

United Welsh chief executive, Tony Whittaker, said he was extremely proud that the Association had retained its position as one of the UK’s top 5 workplaces.

“We were thrilled to reach the top five last year but I believe that improving our position this year is an even bigger achievement as it demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our staff.

“At United Welsh, we have always placed our people at the heart of our business and have an innovative people strategy which gives a clear commitment to developing positive employment relationships.  

“We are in no doubt that our success depends on our people. Without their continued hard work and dedication, we would not be able to operate as a successful and innovative housing association and so are committed to providing the best possible working conditions for each and every member of staff.” 

Dionne Jayne, a clerical assistant with United Welsh, said the news had been a tremendous boost for the staff. 

“To find out last year that we all work for one of the top 5 workplaces in the whole country was an amazing feeling and we didn’t dare think we would hold on to our position this year.

“There is a real team spirit here at United Welsh – from the senior management right through to the administrative staff. We all enjoy a pleasant working environment and excellent conditions, and for this to be recognised for a second year running really is great news for us all.”

Case studies

§         Karen Jones

Karen is United Welsh’s Information Systems Manager. She has been working flexible hours – 9.00 am to 4.00pm - since her daughter was born two years ago.

“Although I only live 15 miles from work, my journey can take anything up to an hour. When I was expecting my daughter I knew that this would limit the amount of time I would be able to spend with her but I didn’t want to give up work as I really enjoy my job. I knew I would not be able to carry out my role with reduced hours so I put in an application to work from home for one day a week before going on maternity leave.

 “I have now been working flexibly for 2 years and it’s working out really well. My daughter is in full time childcare and on the days I work from home I can easily take and fetch her from crèche and spend a lot more time with her at breakfast and after work.

 “I connect to the office via a broadband connection and have my phone at the office diverted to a work telephone at home. Within our IS Department we run Remote Control software which we use to carry out the majority of our day-to-day support and this can be run from home.  I have also been able to carry out upgrades on our main system in the evenings from home, where previously I would have had to work late when all users were off the system.

 “This change to my working practice has made a real difference to the constant battle of trying to balance family and work life.”

 §         John Walsh

John Walsh is Housing Maintenance Officer at United Welsh.  As he was approaching retirement age, he was keen to reduce his working hours so United Welsh put in place a job share arrangement.  

“In January last year, having reached the tender age of 60, I decided to request a change to my working hours. I was previously contracted to work 35 hours per week but was keen to reduce this to 14.  

“United Welsh were fully supportive of my request and set about recruiting a job share partner.  

“This arrangement has worked really well both for the Association and for me. I have been working full-time for the last 45 years so was keen not to give up work completely. This way, I can remain active while gently weaning myself into full time retirement.”