Publication Date: 28-07-2023 09:00
Flexible working makes life better for Bellway employees
Improvements to family-friendly policies and flexible working are making life easier for employees at housebuilder Bellway.
One of the key priorities of the company’s Better with Bellway strategy – which sets out its commitment to sustainable and responsible working practices – is to be an Employer of Choice.
As part of this, the company has updated its family-friendly policies, including the introduction of more flexible working practices, incorporating core hours to give employees more flexibility on start and finish times.
And this is making a difference to employees throughout the company, including Shelly McLean, who joined Bellway as a Trainee Assistant Site Manager in April, working within the Eastern Counties division based in Cambridgeshire.
Shelly, 40, who has a seven-year-old son, said: “My hours are flexible which can enable me to take my son to school when needed, which has made working life with children much easier.”
The introduction of new policies came as a result of Bellway launching its Balance network group – a forum to explore diversity, equality and inclusion and consider practical solutions – and implementing quarterly Employee Listening Groups to gain feedback from staff.
The Employer of Choice strategy also signals the company’s supportive culture for employees with caring responsibilities, helping them to balance work and home life more easily.
Shelly said: “My senior management has been amazing – they always ask me to let them know my needs as a mother and how they can support me.
“When I was being interviewed for the role, my biggest concern was balancing working life with children, but Bellway has been so supportive and willing to work around my needs. They have never made me feel like a nuisance.
“My previous employer was completely unwilling to offer any flexibility after the birth of my son which pushed me to look for other career options. I am now fortunate to have such a supportive team around me, who cater to my needs.”
Shelly previously worked in the coding and printing industry before making the move to construction through the Women into Construction programme.
This programme, aimed at aiding women into the industry, includes a one-week online introduction and two-week placement on-site at one of the nine major housebuilders involved.
Shelly completed her placement at Bellway’s Whitehill Gardens in Godmanchester where she still works today alongside two other developments including Elder Brook in Peterborough and Stilton Gate in Stilton.
Shelly said: “Since working with Bellway I have been able to take a few hours to see my son on sports days, work around teaching strikes and was even given a month before starting my role to sort my needs including childcare options.”
Laura Bell, Bellway Group HR and Organisational Development Manager, said: “At Bellway, we strive for a people-first culture as part of our Better with Bellway initiative.
“Our employees are central to what we do, and we understand working while also being a parent can be challenging so we aim to lessen the stress wherever possible to help staff balance the needs of work and home life more easily.”
Bellway is actively recruiting for a range of roles across the business. For more information, visit https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/.
