UDR's Blueprint for Talent: How a REIT Became a Two-Time Top Workplace

DENVER, CO – April 09, 2026 – For the second consecutive year, UDR, Inc., a leading multifamily real estate investment trust (REIT), has secured a coveted spot on the USA Today Top Workplaces list for 2026. The national recognition, based on a rigorous, confidential survey of employees administered by research firm Energage, highlights the company's sustained commitment to fostering a culture of high engagement and employee satisfaction.

The award places the Denver-based S&P 500 company in an elite group of organizations celebrated for their people-first approach. The selection process is driven entirely by employee feedback, measuring 15 key culture drivers such as alignment, execution, and connection. This methodology ensures the accolade is a genuine reflection of the internal work environment rather than a corporate vanity project.

“This recognition belongs to our more than 1,400 associates who bring our culture to life every day,” said Tom Toomey, UDR’s Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, in a statement. “At UDR, we have built a culture where people feel welcomed, valued, and empowered to explore, grow, and thrive. Being named a USA Today Top Workplace for the second consecutive year is a reflection of the pride our teams have in what we are building and the meaningful experiences they create for one another and our residents.”

A Competitive Edge in a High-Turnover Industry

UDR's achievement is particularly noteworthy within the context of the broader real estate sector, an industry often plagued by high employee turnover. Data consistently shows that property management, a core function of multifamily REITs, faces significant retention challenges. Some industry reports indicate that the annual turnover rate for on-site property staff can exceed 30%, a figure substantially higher than the national average across all industries. This constant churn incurs significant costs related to recruitment, training, and lost productivity, ultimately impacting operational consistency and resident satisfaction.

Against this backdrop, UDR's claim of achieving “associate retention rates that are superior to industry standards” is more than just a talking point; it represents a significant competitive advantage. By successfully cultivating an environment where employees choose to stay and build careers, the company can ensure a more experienced, knowledgeable, and stable workforce. This stability directly translates to better service for its residents across a portfolio of nearly 61,000 apartment homes.

The Top Workplace award, rooted in direct employee feedback on engagement, serves as external validation of this claim. High engagement scores are a leading indicator of employee satisfaction and a strong predictor of lower turnover, suggesting UDR's strategy is yielding tangible results in a challenging labor market.

The Anatomy of an Award-Winning Culture

According to the company, its recent accolades are the result of deliberate and meaningful investments designed to elevate the employee experience. Over the past year, UDR has focused on three core pillars: growth, teamwork, and ownership. These initiatives provide a clear blueprint for how the organization has systematically built its award-winning culture.

First, the Growth pillar was brought to life through the launch of Learning@UDR, a unified learning strategy. This program is designed to build leadership capabilities and support professional development across the entire employee lifecycle. By creating clear pathways for associates to build skills and grow their careers, the company directly addresses a key driver of employee retention. Research from HR experts consistently shows that employees who see opportunities for advancement and feel their employer is invested in their development are significantly more likely to remain with the company long-term.

Second, UDR strengthened Teamwork and connection through its Life@UDR program and enhanced internal communication efforts. In a geographically dispersed company with properties across the country, fostering a sense of alignment and shared purpose is critical. These efforts aim to break down silos and ensure that associates feel connected to the company's mission and to each other, boosting morale and collaborative efficiency.

Finally, the company bolstered the sense of Ownership by enhancing its Total Rewards package. This included improving health plan options, introducing employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions, and expanding family planning benefits. Such comprehensive benefits signal to employees that the company is invested not just in their professional performance, but also in their personal well-being. In a competitive talent market, a robust benefits package is a powerful tool for both attracting and retaining top-tier professionals.

Culture as a Cornerstone of Business Strategy

The focus on workplace excellence is an accelerating trend within the real estate investment space. UDR's top competitors, including major REITs like AvalonBay Communities and Essex Property Trust, have also earned accolades for their workplace environments, signaling a sector-wide recognition that human capital is a key asset. This competitive landscape makes UDR's back-to-back national wins from a prominent, data-driven program all the more significant, positioning it as a standard-bearer for employee-centric strategy.

The connection between a positive internal culture and external business success is becoming increasingly clear. For a multifamily REIT, engaged and satisfied employees lead directly to improved resident services, higher tenant satisfaction, and better resident retention. This operational excellence creates a stable and predictable revenue stream, which is fundamental to delivering the “superior and dependable returns” UDR promises its shareholders.

Studies have shown that highly engaged teams can result in over 20% higher profitability compared to their disengaged counterparts. By investing in its 1,400 associates, UDR is not just building a great place to work; it is building a more resilient and successful business. This strategic alignment of human capital with financial objectives demonstrates how investing in a positive workplace culture is no longer just an HR initiative, but a core component of long-term business strategy and a key driver of value in the competitive real estate market.