FLOODING BROUGHT OUT the team spirit at South Tyneside Homes, when staff worked through the night in pouring rain to save 120 homes last year. The social housing provider says managers “really stepped up to the mark” to make sure tenants were rehomed and houses were repaired as quickly as possible. Employees are happiest with the Leadership category, scoring it 76% positive, sixth place for mid-sized not-for-profit organisations. South Tyneside Homes was set up as an arm's length management group to provide housing services on behalf of a local authority. It manages and maintains 18,000 council homes and has spent £155m on improvements such as new bathrooms and kitchens and energy-efficient heating. Senior managers truly live its values, staff say (73%, seventh), such as prudence, respect and inclusion. Between half and three quarters of the team of 657 people work flexibly. Employees say they are happy with the balance between their work and home lives (72%, eighth). The organisation's “stuck not sick” policy encourages honesty by letting people take urgent leave if their childminder is sick or the washing machine causes a flood in their own kitchen, for example. The staff conference is livened up by live theatre, with actors portraying scenes written by employees that jokingly poke fun at senior managers. People have fun with their colleagues (75%). They are also happy with the pay and benefits (65%, a top 20 score). The winner of our Training and Development special award, the authority has in-house trainers that have taken over 60% of its course provision, on topics ranging from health and safety to leadership, allowing more money to be spent on an expanded apprenticeship scheme, a management programme and job-related qualifications. Staff say their jobs are good for their own growth (76%, in 10th place), and that managers ensure they have the resources needed to do their jobs (72%).
