WHEN AN ORGANISATION makes special arrangements for mothers who have returned to work after having a baby, giving them time and a quiet space to express milk for their baby, you know it takes staff wellbeing seriously. Hillcrest Group of Companies is a Dundee-based housing association that employs 429 women and 185 men, so it figures it has come up with family-friendly policies that will keep staff engaged in their jobs. Flexible working is extended to all parents and most permutations of fitting work around home responsibilities are offered including job-sharing, working from home, compressed hours, part-time hours and term time-only contracts. The company pension is worth investing in, with employees contributing 7.7% and Hillcrest paying in 15.4% of salary. Hillcrest ranks 14th — its highest factor ranking — for the high levels of wellbeing its employees enjoy. They say work does not interfere with commitments at home (73% positive), they do not feel taken advantage of (64%), are happy with the balance between their work and home life (68%) and are not under too much pressure to perform well (70%). Deadlines are realistic (69%) and people are not suffering from stress (72%). Staff here are less exhausted than most when they get home from work as well — the 51% positive score for this question bettered by just eight mid-sized organisations, and they do not spend too much time working (62%). Under chief executive John Mulloy, Hillcrest has grown from a housing provider to being the parent company of a group of enterprises providing housing, care and a wider role in community activities. Employees say Mulloy runs the organisation based on sound moral principles (74%), are inspired by his leadership (64%) and are confident in senior management (69%). hillcrest.org.uk
