About Colchester Borough Homes

Colchester Borough Homes continues to support employee development and employ a Training Co-ordinator. A wide suite of training is available to Staff and the most highly praised and valued is that of the annual ILM L3 First Line Management programme for new and aspiring managers.   Managers carry out annual appraisals identifying objectives and L & D required to meet objectives and regular 1-2-1s to measure performance and identify ongoing training or support required and to listen to employees aspirations. CBH have a strong commitment to Health and Safety training and the multiskilling of their trades workforce where practical and possible.   Professional qualifications supported by Colchester Borough Homes include University degree courses, AAT, CIPD, CIH, IOSH, NEBOSH, M.A, ILM3, ILM 5 and ILM7.         

Colchester Borough Homes is committed to enhancing the wellbeing of Staff and as part of their  HR Strategy will be putting into place a Well-being Policy next year. They are supportive of their Staff having a good worklife balance and have many part-time and job share employees. The vast majority of their female employees returning from maternity leave work part-time. In addition to this the company operate a flexi-time scheme which allows staff to vary their start and finish times and to build up 'flex' in order to take up to two days 'flex' leave per month.  They also provide training on stress management and practical issues such as manual handling.  They run stop smoking campaigns, have recently introduced a 'health surveillance' programme for all manual staff, subsidised leisure fees, a counselling hot line, Occupational Health service and have recently introduced a zero tolerance approach to alcohol and e-cigarettes.

Make a Difference Days – opportunities for all staff to engage with the community to improve the local environment in specific areas (painting, weeding, repairing fencing etc.).  They also use these opportunities to engage with local residents including vulnerable customers, e.g. carrying out consultations, clearing gardens, dealing with issues such as hoarding, agoraphobia etc.