We value our team members and support associates, striving to help, teach, and mentor them, providing the opportunity to qualify for higher-level positions and pursue new opportunities. Our learning and development programs include:

• Onboarding programs
• Leadership training
• Communication training
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training
• Individual learning plans
• Team building services
• Community Manager and Maintenance Manager training
• Mentorship Program
• Emerging Leaders Program

Over 36,000 hours of training and development programs were provided to associates, totaling investment in human capital of $375,000 in 2021.

Essex has offered a Wellness program to employees for over ten years. In 2018, the Company expanded the program offering and launched Vitality, a comprehensive and interactive wellness platform that tracks and records healthy behavior. Vitality allows users to earn reward points and credit toward lowering their individual medical premiums. In 2021, 69% of associates registered in our wellness platform, encouraging healthier lifestyles.

We advocate full inclusion and fair treatment of all individuals. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee monitors activities and promotes diversity, equal opportunity, and fair treatment for all those working at Essex.

In 2021, 42% of our total workforce, 65% of associates in managerial positions or higher, 50% of named executive officers, and 50% of senior management within the Company were female. During the same year, the Company provided 2,878 hours of training focused on DEI and awareness of unconscious bias in the workplace. Our associates have also formed voluntary, employee-led affinity groups including Women at Essex and Rainbow Alliance.

The Company is committed to paying employees equally and conducts an equal pay analysis on an annual basis. Our pay equity analysis for 2021 indicated a zero percent (0%) pay gap between men and women.

We strive to offer a positive workplace environment in which every employee feels they can provide a meaningful contribution to our Company’s mission. Measuring employee engagement is key to achieving that, as it allows us to better understand our associates’ wants and needs.

We strive to offer a positive workplace environment in which every employee feels they can provide a meaningful contribution to our Company’s mission. Measuring employee engagement is key to achieving that, as it allows us to better understand our associates’ wants and needs. The results of the 2021 employee engagement surveys indicate that 94% of surveyed associates consider that their day-to-day work directly impacts the Company’s mission and vision, 94% believe that their opinions and ideas matter at Essex, and 94% feel that the Company supports DEI in the workplace.