A LEADING North East housing developer is bucking the homeworking trend with a new headquarters and a raft of employee friendly initiatives.
While workers across the UK are increasingly asking to work from home, employees at Miller Homes North East are opting to head to their new office, at Cobalt Business Park.
For not only did they play a major part in its design but, with management support, they have also created a comprehensive health and wellbeing programme, providing everything from regular massages, to team events and healthy snacks and treats
Prior to the move, employee consultation revealed five key requirements; a state-of-the-art kitchen where food could be prepared, cooked and eaten, informal break out spaces, an increased number of meeting rooms, high quality furniture and private areas for phone calls.
Not only were all these factored into the new HQ, but the site, Equinox House at Silver Fox Way, was specifically chosen for its good transport links and access to local amenities.
A design team was set up led by Aisling Ramshaw, sales director at Miller Homes North East, and along with light, airy, open-plan work areas, features include soft, relaxing lighting in the spacious kitchen and a biophilic design element in reception in the form of a living moss wall.
The company has also put in place a number of initiatives to boost the wellbeing of the 54-strong office-based team and encourage social interaction.
These include bi-monthly visits from a therapist offering head, neck, back and shoulder massages and ad hoc team events, such as go karting, bowling and cross-country walks with overnight accommodation paid for by Miller Homes North East.
Employees are also invited to nominate colleagues to receive special thank you cards with gift vouchers to show appreciation for their help or support and are encouraged to take part in coffee and cake breaks – to chat and relax to support their mental health.
Fresh fruit, eggs, bread, squash, cereal bars, biscuits and yoghurts are also delivered to the office each week for the team.
Aisling Ramshaw, sales director at Miller Homes North East, said: “Our values are performance, pride, prospering and people, so it was crucial to us to ensure the office environment was something special – after all, it’s where we spend most of our time.
“As a business, we take an immense amount of care to create beautiful homes and we’ve put the same amount of care and attention to detail into designing this office.
“The result is a light, welcoming space – which combines open plan working with private spaces and which is designed to encourage interaction. We are delighted with it.”
Miller Homes North East’s current developments include Longridge Farm, Bedlington and Lambton Park, Chester-le-Street.
