At Wates, we reimagine places for people to thrive and that applies as much to our workplaces and employees as it does to the buildings we create.
As the UK’s leading family-owned development, building, and property maintenance company, it is important to us that our family values are reflected in how we support our colleagues.
We know that to foster a truly fair and equitable environment, we needed to challenge traditional gender roles in parenting and take bold steps toward equalising leave policies. That is why we have enhanced our paternity/partner leave, offering 12 weeks of full pay, taken flexibly. This policy change is a significant stride toward supporting all parents in their dual roles at work and home.
Understanding the diverse needs of our workforce, we also addressed the challenges faced by our colleagues who are carers. With 14% of our team identifying as carers in our latest survey, we took the decision to enhance our carers' leave to include one week of full pay and up to three additional weeks of unpaid leave.
We have also refreshed our flexible working principles, encouraging teams to have open conversations about what would improve their work-life balance. This has led to creative solutions, such as leaving early to be home for a child’s bedtime routine or to coach a child’s sports team. Some colleagues start their day with a pre-work swim or yoga session, while others take a longer lunch to attend their local mosque or focus on personal development. While not all forms of flexibility fit every role, communication and teamwork ensures that accommodations can be made to provide people with the flexibility they need.
The results speak for themselves. We have seen improved physical and mental wellbeing among our colleagues, 19% higher engagement and a 24% increase in whether our colleagues are likely to recommend Wates as a great place to work to their friends and family.
We’re committed to continuing this journey, as we continue shaping an ever-more inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Charlotte Watmore is inclusion and diversity project manager at Wates Group
