INSTANT THANK YOU gifts of flowers, chocolates or wine greet staff who go above and beyond their duties at Richmond Housing Partnership (RHP). The social housing provider also hands out quarterly achievement awards from £100 to £1,000. Staff are pleased their managers show appreciation, scoring 86% positive, in second place among small organisations. Formed in 2000 from a stock transfer from Richmond Council, RHP owns or manages 8,500 homes in southwest London. Last year it dug deep to find a 3% pay rise to see employees through the economic gloom, and for five years in a row has invested £200,000 a year in training and development. People say their managers are good role models (81%) and help them to fulfil their potential (82%). Both are top scores in our employee engagement survey. Staff feel they can make a difference in the organisation (87%, in second place). One customer adviser suggested a rota of specialists to help call centre employees answer queries, and saw complaints fall by 85% as a result. Tight-knit teams go out of their way to help each other (89%, also in first place) and there is plenty of fun here (90%, second). "We take our jobs seriously, but not ourselves," says RHP. Colleagues enjoy a busy social calendar of quiz nights and barbecues and can join volleyball, football, running and film clubs at RHP's base in Teddington, Middlesex. Staff know that their team members really care for each other (87%, fourth). People are offered enhanced maternity and paternity pay and holiday allowance is from 25 to 30 days. Milestones for employees are marked with extra time off: two days for new grandparents, for example. Everyone is eligible for free private healthcare and dental insurance. It is easy to be eco-friendly here (90%, in first place) with 10 new fuel-efficient pool cars and five pool bikes. Staff see a positive future for themselves at RHP (81%, second). www.rhp.org.uk
