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
