Operating across the Scottish highland region since 1994, Highland Home Carers (HHC) supports people living in their own homes with highly complex health and social care needs. It has a roster of more than 400 employees and has been an employee-owned organisation since 2004, rewarding staff with shares for working in challenging roles.
The organisation has various schemes in place to both recognise these efforts from staff, and to help motivate them through difficult times.
An allocation of more than 1,000 shares with a cash value of around £500, which can be sold back to the share investment plan (Sip) tax-free in five years’ time, is available to HHC employees who work 30-hours per week or more.
The organisation also awards employees, who have been with the business since 1 July 2020, a £500 profit-share payment, which is calculated based on average working patterns and uses 30-hours per week as a full-time equivalent cap. The overall level of investment by the organisation in both the profit-share payment and share allocation bonus is almost £300,000.
In addition, in March 2021 the organisation increased its rates of pay for carers by more than 11% as well as increasing its employer contributions to staff pensions by 33%.
Campbell Mair, managing director says: “We implemented these changes as a way of addressing the issue of correctly rewarding and empowering those working in challenging roles that bring tremendous benefits to both individuals and the wider community. “We believe that as an employee-owned company, we also offer one of the best and most rewarding places to work in the region.”
Mair believes that a focus on wellbeing and regularly asking employees what is important to them and what could make a difference to their lives, can help to increase staff motivation throughout the new year.
