The well-known, North London, multi-branch agency of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents has announced new working policies that they say are being introduced to ensure staff that across the whole business are supported and able to strike a healthy work life balance.
Faced with the ‘new normal’ of working practices shaped by the global pandemic, many employers are having to give serious consideration to changing how their staff carry out their roles.
The changes at Martyn Gerrard were developed on basis of the results of a staff survey in which employees were asked for recommendations and requests as to how their working life could be improved.
After analysing and considering the results, Martyn Gerrard Managing Director, Simon Gerrard ,worked with his senior management team to develop a suite of new policies that they believe will ensure their staff are fulfilled, motivated and able to deliver the high standard of customer service expected from this trusted family business. These include:
- A flexible 5-day week for all negotiators and managers
- Flexible working hours for office staff
- One day a week working from home for admin staff
- Reduced working hours for office and head office staff, with the day now running from 9-5.30
These new benefits are in addition to, and will have no effect on, each employees pay and benefits packages, meaning a real term increase in salaries of 10%.
The changes have initially been introduced for a 6-month basis, but if successful will be introduced as permanent Martyn Gerrard policy.
As flexible working patterns become the norm across many sectors, there has been a noticeably lower uptake within the property sector as many felt it unworkable with the hours required for home sales.
However the Martyn Gerrard directors believe that this will be offset by the improvement in staff welfare, morale and efficiency, as well as ensuring they recruit and retain the best talent.
Simon Gerrard, the MD of the firm and a past president of the NAEA, said:
“Our businesses success is based upon the skill and dedication of our highly experienced teams, and so ensuring they are happy, fulfilled and supported is of upmost importance.
“We want them to have the opportunity to earn well and retain a healthy work-life balance – as a family run business, we know just how important this is.
“The response from staff has been overwhelmingly positive and will ensure our reputation for having the best talent in the sector continues.
“The property sector has a reputation for long or unsociable hours, and I would encourage leaders to follow suit and consider how they can adapt their working policy to ensure customers are provided with high standards of service without compromising staff welfare and morale.
“I am delighted we’ve been able to make these changes and know they will contribute to the long-term success of Martyn Gerrard Estate Agents.”
Following the announcement, many staff expressed their thanks, including this from David Mitchell, Assistant Sales Manager:
“I just wanted to pass on my gratitude to you for implementing the 5-day week and flexible hours changes to the working week from next year.
“It will make a huge difference to me and my family. I will be able to go to my son’s sports fixtures and pick my daughter up from school which she would love.
“It means a lot and it’s great to see that we are a forward-thinking company.”
Is your estate agency considering or already implementing similar changes in working practices? Can an agency function effectively with flexible working hours? Would similar changes to your terms make you a happier and more effective worker?
We shall be interested to see your comments on this story.
I fail to see how this is bold!
We have had a 5 day week for years and open from 9am to 5:30pm. We also give all our staff an extra 4 days holiday over the Christmas period and their birthdays off. We don’t open on Sunday or Bank Holidays either.
I am however pleased for the employees of Martyn Gerrard and hope that other big city based companies follow suit too.
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Since 1 opened my office in 2004 I have operated Monday to Friday 09.00 – 17.00 and Saturday 09.00 – 12.00. Not open Saturday afternoon, Sundays, Bank Holidays and over Christmas and New Year only open for a few hours. Do I get a free editorial?
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Send in a Press Release – this ‘article’ has now surely set a precedent so EYE should therefore print yours for you!
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I think you’ll find more agents than might be expected already do this.
Our staff have family. So do we. If we work a 45 hour week then rest at the weekends (we have a wonderful Saturday viewings person), our quality of work is infinitely better. And contrary to conventional wisdom, the clients understand the logic and so do viewers. Hence no reasonable person ever complains that we’re not available 24/7.
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I think the key thing here, is whilst other people are commenting that “well we do this already”, that most larger chains do not do this. They have been opening for longer and longer and most expect 6 day weeks every other week. The long hours are especially in London where Martyn Gerrard are based. Its exhausting and I definitely agree that you don’t get the most out of people by doing this.
Give your staff flexibility and they will most likely give you flexibility. I once worked for a company where the boss used to pretty much let us do what we liked. If we were up to date, no problem with leaving the office an hour or two early. On the flip side, if we needed to do late viewings we would, we had work mobiles and would be available on those, and if we needed to talk to an overseas client on a different timezone at 9pm then we would.
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It’s a good example of what is achievable, but spare a thought for a small office with an owner and just a couple of staff.
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When I started out we worked until 5.30 during the week and 12.30 on Saturday. We sold more property then than we do now. If buyers are really keen they will fit in with your hours but if you offer them 6.30pm they will take it. It needs the people in charge to make decisions that protect thier staff. Well done Martyn Gerrard.
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40yearveteran08 – why this can’t possibly be true! Just look what we are force-fed on a daily basis to reinforce the past was ‘the bad old days’:
“Faster this… smoother that… better evrything”…
“Gone are the days of”…
“Things have moved on”…
“It’s all online, innit?”…
“TikTok sells houses”…
Okay – the last one gives away my utter disenchantment with a supposedly “improved” housing market – but you really can’t expect all these new titans of the industry… who haven’t seen a vizicard or rang out an applicant list… to believe that, pre desktops, laptops, smartphones and portals, we actually agreed more sales better than is done now.
It simply doesn’t compute!
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