Giving staff input into how the company is run is just one reason why Peabody housing association is a positive place to work
One of London’s oldest and largest housing providers, Peabody, was founded by George Peabody in 1862 to provide safe and affordable housing for the working poor of Victorian London.
Now, 150 years later, a recent merger with Family Mosaic means Peabody provides homes and services to 111,000 residents and 8,000 care home services providers. That means a big recruitment drive is on to find employees who will follow the Peabody mantra of helping people make the most of their lives.
Help at home
“What I love about Peabody is that every member of staff has the opportunity to feel a real affinity with our organisation,” says Marija Vida, Peabody’s Head of Resource Management and HR Business Partner. “We have a Winter Warmers programme, for example, where staff members are able to go out and visit any resident over 60, checking their heating is running properly to ensure they’re able to keep warm in the winter months.”
Make your voice heard
As well as Winter Warmers, Peabody is championing an initiative called People First, in which employers are being asked to help shape the company following last year’s merger. Staff are encouraged to speak out, by suggesting changes that will help the company to progress, looking to improve customer experience or by showing initiative.
“It’s another reason why Peabody is a great place to work,” says Marija. “It provides people with the right challenge.”
Reward for hard work
Working for Peabody means you’ll be part of a talent-management programme where hard work, ambition and talent are rewarded with promotion and pay increases.
“The company likes to promote from within so we retain our best talent,” says Marija. “We run two recruitment courses. One is for managers, to ensure they’re recruiting in a compliant way and there is real diversity within the company. The other is called Realise Your Career Potential, and is run for existing staff to find out what is expected of them within the company so they can progress their career at Peabody.
“The course has been designed internally to help our staff understand what is expected from them and gives the company an insight into each employee so we can help to develop their talent.”
Added extras
With staff bonuses including discounted gym membership, wellbeing workshops, annual flu jabs and free massages, Peabody proves it isn’t only committed to helping its thousands of clients have a decent place to live and the opportunities to develop and progress in their own lives. Looking after its staff is also a top priority for this forward-thinking company.
“It’s an exciting time to join Peabody,” says Marija. “The new group will build on the track record, capabilities and shared values of Peabody and Family Mosaic to create a truly distinctive organisation. Our combined scale and social focus will enable us to do more together than we could achieve alone.”
