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The Unite Group PLC
The Unite Group PLC has been certified as one of Britain's Top Employers 2013. Independent research into its employee offerings showed this company has outstanding working conditions. On this page you will find out exactly what makes it one of the best companies to work for in the UK.
From the research by the CRF Institute
The Top Employers Certification is awarded only to organisations that meet the highest standard in Human Resources (HR). The research assesses all critical areas of HR management of the participating organisations. The research showed that The Unite Group PLC has outstanding employee offerings and thus qualified for the exclusive Top Employers certification. The research
Communication Channels
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Brainstorming sessions
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Formal sessions
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Works groups or works councils
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Special access to CEO/Leadership
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Suggestions box/email
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Forums/blogs on Intranet
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Instant messaging (e.g. MSN/Skype/Connector)
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Social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter)
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Special/social events
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Employee surveys
Development Programmes
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Talent management/high performer programmes
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Leadership development programmes
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Coaching/mentoring programmes
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Peer support programmes
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Job rotation programmes
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General training programmes
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Industry-related/job-specific training programmes
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Self-selected training programmes
Networking Activities
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Sports events
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Flexible workspace
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Online chat/instant messaging
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Online blogs or forum
Onboarding Activities
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A tour around the organisation
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Induction course (covering the organisation’s mission, vision, values)
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Employee handbook that specifies HR policy and regulations (hardcopy or online)
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Networking events for new employees
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A mentor is assigned to the new employee
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Meeting with HR to explain procedures
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Standard meeting after specified period
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Meeting with the CEO
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Meeting with Executive Management
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Formal session on targets
About the company
UNITE is the UK’s leading operator of purpose-built student accommodation, providing homes for 42,000 students in over 120 properties across 23 of the UK’s strongest university cities. Employing almost 1,000 staff, we work in partnership with over 60 higher education providers, as well as renting directly to students.
Facts and figures
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Other |
| Number of employees: |
954 |
“UNITE helped ensure that my move and my family’s move went smoothly”
"I joined UNITE in 2009 as Operations Manager for Leeds – this was a great role that saw me leading the city with a team of 40 people. It was really on the front line in terms of providing our customer service to 3,126 students and it meant that I was quickly under the skin of the organisation."
"In 2012 I made the move to a Head Office role in Bristol to lead our Operations Standards team. This is a challenging role that will really help us drive best practice across the country. What UNITE saw in me was someone who had a wealth of on-the-ground operational experience, and this is something that I have been able to bring to my team, bringing in the real experts from across the business on secondments to improve the way we work, while providing development opportunities in the process. UNITE helped ensure that my move and my family’s move went smoothly. It is great to work with a new bunch of people and I have really enjoyed adapting and developing the role."
Christian Stanbury, Head of Operations Standards, joined The UNITE Group in 2009
“UNITE’s commitment to development and encouraging potential has meant that I’ve continued to grow within the company”
"Being the youngest manager in the company never seemed to be a factor in the recruitment process. I started as a customer service advisor in Aberdeen and very quickly was considered for a manager’s role in Glasgow. I was 22 and the recession was biting and many of my graduate peers were being turned down for jobs solely through lack of experience or age. UNITE maintained a very clear recruitment direction based on its values and competencies even though I was up against people who had managed their own business or had years of experience."
"UNITE’s commitment to development and encouraging potential has meant that I’ve continued to grow within the company and have been given great opportunities. I was quickly promoted to Operations Manager responsible for the Aberdeen business, and in December 2012 I became Area Manager for Leeds and Huddersfield. I’m looking forward to really getting my teeth into this new challenge!"
Moray Notman, Area Manager, Yorkshire and North East, joined The UNITE Group in 2008
“This year we have made further improvements, in response to employee feedback, to our routes for career development opportunities”
"We are delighted to be named one of Britain’s Top Employers for the sixth year running. We constantly strive to ensure that UNITE provides a place for meaningful, rewarding and challenging careers for our employees. This year we have made further improvements, in response to employee feedback, to our routes for career development opportunities. This included introducing new roles, clearer routes of accountability, a range of different options for progression, and new accredited learning programmes. All of these exciting activities will really take hold during 2013 for us."
"Listening to employee feedback and responding by improving our offering is a key way in which we ensure that UNITE is catering for our employees’ needs. This has all resulted in our employee satisfaction remaining at an all-time high – and has also translated into our best ever customer satisfaction scores during 2012. Our people are the heart of our business and investing in them will ensure that UNITE remains fit for the future."
Nicola Yates, Group HR Director, The UNITE Group
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