Mission: The pillars of success at Equity are the right apartments in the right markets, operational excellence, building relationships that create loyal residents, and having the best people in place to get it all done.
Best Places to Work: 2019 (#43)
At Equity Residential, the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees is our top priority. We recognize these are challenging times for all of us, and we're doing our part to maintain a healthy community. We continue to address concerns about Coronavirus by implementing preventive practices at our properties and offices, working as a united team to keep our properties as clean and safe as possible. We appreciate everything our teams and residents are doing to look out for each other in these unprecedented times, which call for extra discipline, patience, consideration and restraint. We want to extend a special shout-out to our teams who are working hard to ensure our residents have their essential needs met and feel supported during these uncertain times. Words cannot express the appreciation we have for our teams and how we've all come together to get through this. View our latest press release to learn more about how we are supporting our teams and residents. Stay well! http://investors.equityapartments.com/file/Index?KeyFile=403391068
Our Chicago Operations Team recently visited Care For Friends where we donated more than 700 self care items to the organization, and also had the opportunity to prep meals for 65 guests. Care For Friends builds pathways out of homelessness to support Chicago’s most vulnerable. #morethanahandout ✨Thank you for having us! ✨
Listen to our employees tell their own stories about life at Equity Residential.
LIKE WHAT YOU DO | HANDS-ON MAINTENANCE |
CUSTOMERS COME FIRST | What we’re made of...The bricks of our company are the right apartments in the right markets, operational excellence, building relationships that create loyal residents, and having the best people in place to get it all done. |
Build Equity Into Your FutureWho works at Equity Residential? People who are really good at what they do, who work hard and play nice, who appreciate the community at large and who value the contributions of others.That’s our culture.
In the early 1960s, two guys at the University of Michigan – Sam Zell and Bob Lurie – started managing student apartment buildings. Over the next five decades, the buildings would change but the basic philosophy would remain the same: invest in properties at the right price and hire the best people to manage them well.
 Founders Bob Lurie and Sam Zell | It’s Been Quite a RideFrom that modest beginning rose an industry leader, one that joined the NYSE in 1993 and was the first apartment company in the S&P 500 in 2001. Today, our portfolio of high-quality properties in growth markets – New York City, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles, to name a few – provides homes where people most want to live. We still buy, build, rehab and manage our apartment communities, but along the way, we didn’t just grow; we transformed how business is done. From our state-of-the-art operating system to the way we develop our people, cultivate our culture and connect with our residents, Equity Residential is leading the way. |
We've got the best people in the business, and our experience shows in our dedication to residents and in how much we value each other as colleagues. That’s why our employees say they are proud to work at Equity, a company that knows how home should feel.
Being successful in life has many factors. Total wellbeing promotes the sense of belonging by encouraging more professional and personal connections, provides optimism, goals and meaning in one’s job, reduces distractions and fosters mindfulness, and enhances vitality and overall health. These in turn create engagement, productivity, satisfaction and the ability to thrive
Here’s how we support the foundation for total wellbeing:
 | CAREER WELLBEINGWe’re proud that 90% of our employees say that they know what’s expected of them on the job and even more feel their skills are a good fit for what they do. FINANCIAL WELLBEINGOur philosophy is to provide highly competitive compensation, to recognize top performers and to help provide for the future.
| PHYSICAL WELLBEINGOur focus on wellness helps keep small problems from turning into life-changing events. COMMUNITY WELLBEINGWe give employees time off to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand in the communities where they live and work. SOCIAL WELLBEINGCreating connections is the key to our culture and our company – 82% of our employees report that they have at least one good friend at work.
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Equity understands that our people are the real bricks and mortar of the company. We've developed a comprehensive, highly flexible benefits program with a multitude of options to suit your particular needs and interests — today and in the future.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage Comprehensive wellbeing program Life and accident insurance Supplemental life insurance Short- and long-term disability insurance Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
| ALL IN THE FAMILYEquity offers a progressive New Parent Leave benefit (for both primary and secondary caregivers) as well as adoption assistance for employees who want to expand their families. NO PLACE LIKE HOMEEmployees are eligible for discounts on Equity apartments of upwards of 20% (depending on market and role). KICK BUTT!The only safer cigarette is your last one, and Equity offers a choice of tobacco-cessation programs for employees ready to kick the habit. A REASON TO SMILEEquity provides enhanced dental coverage to help with certain health conditions at no additional cost to employees. BOW WOWEquity offers pet insurance so that your best friend can live a healthier life, too. | GOOD ADVICEFrom relationship issues to debt management, our 24-7 employee assistance program, LifeWorks, can help free of charge. WHERE THERE’S A WILL…The MetLaw program provides employees with experienced attorneys that can provide help with estate planning, mortgage refinancing and other legal matters at less than $10 per paycheck. MATCH GAMEEquity’s offers a company match of 4% on contributions to the Advantage 401(k) program for employees. GIVING BACKEach year full-time employees get up to 8 hours of paid time off to participate in community service projects.
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Inclusion transcends recognition and understanding - beyond tolerance - to the exploration and celebration of those differences in a safe, positive and nurturing environment. It puts the concept of diversity into action by creating a culture of involvement, respect, and connection where all employees’ voices are heard.
Equity has a strong, rich culture and this is reflected in how each employee shows up in work and in life - our shared, core values. These values enforce and enrich our culture while providing the principles we need to thrive.
We actively elevate and support these values when employees’ voices are heard and we embrace each other regardless of our differences; when we give back to the communities; when we care for and preserve our environment; and when we encourage and enable our employees and their families to thrive in all areas of wellbeing.
That’s why we’re excited about The Equity Values Council, a group comprised of representatives from every market where we do business. Each council member serves as a spokesperson and change agent for Equity Values initiatives, shares information, encourage colleagues to participate in programs, and creates excitement around Diversity & Inclusion, Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Total Wellbeing.
At Equity Residential, our Sustainability program is helping weave environmental thinking throughout our business. From raising awareness of everyday things we can all be doing, to utilizing new technologies, we are committed to improving the environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” For example, when we choose to install more efficient lighting at our properties, we reduce pollution and preserve our natural resources.
 | APPLIANCES Equity’s Pretty Smart® program saves energy with good-looking Energy Star refrigerators and dishwashers, while donating the used appliances to groups like Habitat for Humanity makes our neighborhoods stronger. | WATER CONSERVATION Our properties have installed dual flush toilets in our bathrooms and smart watering systems on property grounds. This saves plenty of water for our finned friends.
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 | LIGHTING From apartments with CFL bulbs to entire communities retrofitted with thousands of efficient LED lights, we shine bright by keeping lighting use (and costs) at a minimum. | ENERGY Big projects, like energy-generating solar panels, put us at the cutting edge of conservation. And small fixes that save residents money like programmable thermostats.
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 | RECYCLING Our communities and offices recycle everything from paper to plastic to boxes and bottles – we’ve even got high-rises that mulch! | ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS Our wood floors and carpets combine sit-on-the-floor comfort with 100% recyclability.
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 | TRANSPORTATION Our focus on urban locations means that public transportation is our residents’ first choice, complemented by on-site Zipcars and charging stations for electric vehicles. | AIR QUALITY Our low-emission paint and window glass meet the highest air-quality standards in the country, and Equity’s smoke-free communities make it easy for residents to Just Breathe® in comfort and style.
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| GREENWORKS Our in-house green/sustainability initiative sees the big picture, allowing us to weave sustainable and green practices into our everyday solutions. |  |
Helpful (2)
I have been working at Equity Residential full-time (More than 8 years)
Pros
Your coworkers and teams tend to become family. Equity hires smart, talented, enthusiastic people. The people that work here have kept me at Equity over the years. Your experience with Equity will depend on your manager, this is true for both CMs and LCs. I've been lucky enough to have amazing mentors throughout my time at Equity, people that truly care about my development and goals. If you work hard (and by working hard I mean consistently going above and beyond) you will be rewarded. Promotions from within are common and goals are attainable. Equity's training and development workshops and their new hire programs set the company apart from others. I am so happy that I "fell" into this industry years ago. I can say that I have enjoyed the ride!
Cons
Sometimes the residents can be downright mean and disrespectful. It takes a certain type of person to work in this industry. Equity should continue to look into stress management opportunities for employees because the on site teams are consistently talking about the stress that their job causes. PTO should be revisited as the vacation offered is not comparable to its competitors. Work life balance continues to be a struggle. Not allowing access to systems from home can cause some managers to work late hours in the office. There is a need to revisit flexible hours and office hours with the ever-changing workforce.
Advice to Management
Listen to your on-site teams! Engage with leasing consultants, these are the most important people in the industry as they are the face of Equity.
Application
I applied online. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at Equity Residential.
Interview
Process felt professional and organized. I was screened through the phone first, and immediately set up with an in person interview. Met with the Regional Manager and shortly had a call for the offer (within a week). I also had a second phone interview with the recruiter.
Interview Questions
Veteran Hiring Commitment
Committed to helping America's military veterans find work
Pay Equality Pledge
Committed to paying equitably for equal work & experience
Career Advancement Program
Helping employees "upskill" into higher-paying positions
Diversity Commitment
Has programs that support a diverse and inclusive workforce
Pledge to Thrive
Taking steps to prioritize employee well-being
Social Responsibility Pledge
Formal programs or foundation to give back to communities
First Job Programs
Maintain entry-level hiring and career development programs to give people career starts
