Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award Shortlist
Arcadis

Gender diversity is an issue that has faced not only the Rail sector, but the wider industry for far too long. The lack of diversity is stifling innovation, limiting much needed change, and reducing opportunities to drive efficiencies. Despite research proving the benefits of a more diverse workforce and numerous efforts to address the gender imbalance, only 15% of the construction workforce is female, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). With eight out of ten firms still paying their male employees more than women, it’s not surprising that little progress has been made. At Aracdis, we have committed to make a difference and in June 2022 we introduced the PARRR Programme, which focuses on Parity, Awareness, Recruitment, Retention & Returners. PARRR takes a programmatic approach to diversity, aimed around increasing representation of women, reducing gender pay gaps and ultimately achieving gender equity. The programme consists of six active workstreams, each with Senior Leader sponsorship driving accountability, and delivery teams consisting of a diverse mix of Arcadians. Through PARRR we’re turning our ambitions into strategy, sharing our intentions and delivering against our commitments.

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Atkins

Recognising menopause symptoms can negatively impact employee’s wellbeing and work and committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone belongs, can be their true self and reach their full potential, Atkins launched the Menopause at Work Network. Championed by senior leaders, the network's 315+ membership is supported by 30 trained female and male Menopause Advocates (MA) providing employees and their families one-toone support and guidance for line managers. MAs share their personal stories, facilitate monthly Coffee Stops and regular Lunch and Learn webinars, open to all employees, and awareness-raising networking sessions. Atkins is cultivating an inclusive and safe environment through initiatives including: • Dedicated menopause pages on the Online Wellbeing Hub • Private women-only Yammer group • Yammer Group open to all employees • Offering menopausal women/partners reasonable adjustments and sick leave Normalising conversations around menopause, challenging the stigma surrounding it and raising awareness, Atkins is making long-term sustainable change to create better outcomes for individuals, their families, the organisation and rail industry as a whole, ultimately helping retain women in the workplace.

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Goodmaps

Established in 2019 at the American Printing House for the Blind, GoodMaps has since evolved into an international, all-access mapping company. After realizing the necessity for an intuitive indoor navigation system – that could aid not just the blind and visually impaired community but also those with a variety of requirements – they developed a service that was highly accurate and adaptive, as well as multimodal. GoodMaps believes the world can be transformed (and is a lot more interesting) when everyone feels they belong and are encouraged to take part, and ease of movement – of access – is only the first step in this pursuit.

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Kier

Kier Infrastructure & Overseas Ltd is proud of its inclusive workplace policies, where all aspects of diversity are valued and a respectful, fair and consistent working environment is developed. Through our Empower Programme we nurture emerging talent and support underrepresented groups to achieve their career goals by addressing the specific challenges and barriers to progression. We have introduced Expect Respect, a campaign educating employees on inclusive language and communicating Kier’s zero tolerance approach to bullying, harassment and stopping micro-aggressions. We demonstrate our commitment to being a Real Living Wage employer with an agile working programme that complements modern family life. Our pioneering policies include paid leave for pregnancy loss, maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and guidance on the menopause. The submission also details our social value initiative, Building Better; an environmental and sustainability framework used to improve efficiencies and help us deliver annual carbon reductions. Successes include a transition to increased working from home, resulting in significantly reduced cost and carbon. Other successes on individual projects include reducing waste, carbon, pollution risk and impacts on ecology.

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LB Foster

There are 151,000 people who use sign language in the UK and 87,000 of them use sign language as their main, or preferred method of communication. Educators and psychologists alike have long debated the reasons why the vast majority of deaf children struggle with reading. There is, however, one very obvious — though often overlooked — the reason why deaf individuals so frequently struggle with reading (Phonology). Network Rail engaged with LB Foster and have successfully developed the ‘British Sign Language (BSL) Departures & Messaging’ solution which translates live journey information into BSL, which is displayed on digital screens. On 28 April 2022 The British Sign Language Bill, a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Rosie Cooper MP and backed by the government, passes into law following Royal Assent. The BSL Departures & Messages dramatically increase the Deaf passengers’ peace of mind about being on the correct train & route. Keeping the railways inclusive & bring us 1-step closer to true equality.

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WSP

 A more equitable workplace, where diverse, inclusive teams flourish, performs better. WSP strives to be a place where everyone feels respected, valued and accepted. Somewhere everyone can reach their full potential and bring their true selves to work. Driven by our WSP UK Inclusion & Diversity strategy (2021-2024) we are making demonstrable progress, including greater female and ethnic minority representation, and a narrowing of the gender and ethnicity pay gap. With innovative awareness-raising campaigns, I&D-related training and EDI policies/actions informed by robust data, we are inspiring conversations that matter and empowering colleagues to be part of a more inclusive environment.

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