Stockport Homes is one of the best places to work!

It's official! Stockport Homes is one of the top 20 public sector organisations to work for in the UK.

The organisation is at number 19 in The Sunday Times 75 Best Places to Work in the Public Sector list, which surveyed 45,000 employees nationwide. Stockport Homes were also awarded with a ‘One to Watch’ status in the Best Companies Accreditation.
This is a fantastic achievement for Stockport Homes as it is one of only four social landlords in the UK to appear in the list.

Its top 20 position reflects its dedication to making the organisation a place where people want to work. Employees who were surveyed praised the organisation for having a positive, friendly environment where employees feel happy and motivated.

Some key responses from Stockport Homes’ employees included:
• 84% think the organisation provides a great service to customers
• 81% believe they can make a contribution to the organisations success (this was the highest score)
• 78% of staff feel they can make a difference (this was the second highest score)
• 70% are excited about where the business is going (only one organisation scored a better result)

Results of the survey were based on an in-depth, confidential and strictly anonymous survey of 80% of employees along with other information about the organisation. Stockport Homes’ staff were questioned on a range of issues such as their employer's values and principles, what it's like to work with their colleagues and managers, and how motivated and positive they feel about work.

Stockport Homes’ Chief Executive, Helen McHale, paid tribute to staff saying, “I am delighted with this result, especially as it was the first time we’ve submitted an application for this prestigious national accreditation. I would like to thank our employees for their honesty and integrity in completing the survey - this has met our ambition of putting Stockport Homes on the map as being an employer of choice.”

Roger Phillips, Chair of Stockport Homes’ Board added, “This is great news for staff and customers alike, reflecting our commitment to attracting and retaining the best resources to drive services forward for our customers. Stockport Homes is very proud to have received this award. We are really pleased that we’ve been rated so highly, and it’s a great honour for the organisation.”

Helen Foster-Grime, the Council’s Executive Member for Communities expressed how pleased the Council were with the success of their Arms Length Management Organisation (ALMO) by saying, “I am delighted to see all of Stockport Homes’ good work acknowledged with such a prestigious national award.”

Results were announced at an award ceremony in London on 11 March 2010.

Picture caption: Stockport Homes’ staff and Board Members celebrating at the awards evening in London.

END

Notes to Editor:
1. Stockport Homes is a limited company that exists to manage the housing stock owned by Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Stockport Homes manages 11,500 council properties and employs over 400 staff. Stockport Homes is known as an Arm’s Length Management Organisation or ALMO. This means that while the local Council owns the company, it operates independently from it on day-to-day matters. Stockport Homes works together very closely with Stockport Council to ensure that the best results are achieved for all customers.
2. Best Companies methodology identifies workplace performance and best practice according to eight key factors:
• Leadership
• Personal growth
• My team
• Fair deal
• My company
• My manager
• Giving something back
• Wellbeing
For more information on the Best Companies, best places to work in the public sector awards please visit www.bestcompanies.co.uk.

3. In August 2009, Stockport Homes achieved Investors in People (IiP) Gold status. Stockport Homes was one of the first housing organisations in the country to achieve the IiP Gold Status.

4. For more information about Stockport Homes please visit www.stockporthomes.org or contact Jane Wresdell, Marketing and Communications Manager, telephone 0161 474 2863 or email jane.wresdell@stockporthomes.org