Ethical employment at Pebbles provides local job security during pandemic

Salcombe-based company, Pebbles’ commitment to having a fully employed housekeeping staff has enabled them to provide greater job security and social benefits during and beyond the pandemic.

For nearly two decades, the local property management and services industry leader has always employed its day-to-day team members, including cleaners, instead of paying an hourly rate to external contractors. This has been an unusual approach in the industry and not a very commercial one, however, they felt strongly that it should be a cornerstone to the continuity and quality of the service they provide, as well as being the right and ethical way to engage valued employees. 

The intangible benefit of this approach has been evident to both the company and our clients for years. The dedication that the employed members of the team show, and the attention to detail that they’re able to contribute and develop, is thanks to their regular training, on-going management support and repeat attendance at properties that the company cares for.

Meanwhile, for team members, it has ensured a sense of ownership in their roles, pride in their work and access to the benefits of full-time employment including greater job security, maternity pay, sick pay and holiday pay - all the things that help individuals to feel safer and happier in their day-to-day lives.

While these benefits have been felt consistently over the years, they have never been as acute as they have throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. That’s on behalf of clients, their guests and the business as a whole. This was because Pebbles was able to place employees on furlough leave when they may otherwise have been left without an income for an extended period if different employment practices had been adopted.

Pebbles has reported that the team have returned that sense of loyalty, demonstrating an admirable commitment to their work, recommending the company as an employer and allowing them to offer continuity in their service. Furthermore, Pebbles has been able to grow the business and provide new opportunities through 2020 and into 2021, including giving a young person an opportunity through the Kickstart Scheme for Employers.

James Spencer, Managing Director of Pebbles said: “At Pebbles we have made no secret of how much we value our team, many of whom have been with us for years, and whom we have had the privilege of watching and supporting as they grow in their roles and up through the company.

"Thankfully, there has been less need for us to take up the furlough scheme since the first lockdown, as we have been able to help holiday homeowners to maintain their properties, safely, while they cannot visit, and prepare those holiday homes for when they can receive visitors again next month.”