Celebrating National Inclusion Week

Today sees the start of National Inclusion Week, providing us all with an opportunity to reflect on what we can do to be more inclusive.

At Sir Robert McAlpine, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves, because we want our people to feel happy and realise their full potential. 

During National Inclusion Week, we will be celebrating our inclusion journey to date, sharing a wealth of resources and information with our people, and giving them the chance to get involved in some thought provoking sessions.

This includes a key note virtual session on the topic of 'workplace banter' by comedian, writer, campaigner and inclusion expert, Simon Fanshawe. 

We have also lined up a series of drop-in sessions for our people with our seven Affinity Networks. Made up of people from across the business, the networks exist to ensure everyone has a voice and feels represented. They have played a key role in our inclusion journey to date, helping to shape strategy, policy and training across the business:

• The Ability Network works to raise awareness of disabilities and breaking down social barriers. The network is supporting our partnership with ParalympicsGB as they prepare for Paris 2024. On Tuesday, the Ability Network will host a session with our greatest winter Paralympian ever, Jade Etherington, who will be talking about the importance of inclusion in the workplace, from her experience as a teacher.  Alpine skier Jade was a four times Paralympic medallist at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games.
  
  
• The Stages Network aims to assist us in becoming an age friendly employer, helping to create a workplace where age does not limit your success.  In a competitive industry like ours, there are massive benefits to having a multi-generational workforce with a diverse and valuable range of talents and skills. 
  
  
• The Gender Equality Network operates as a grass roots group working in smaller subgroups on a wide range of issues. In conjunction with the Stages Network, they have recently seen the successful launch of the company-wide menopause policy and associated training.   
  
  
• The Working Families Network engages in conversations around our family values and promoting a healthy work life balance. Its work is based around helping to create a workplace where family circumstances do not limit success. 
  
  
• The Cultural Diversity Network helps to foster a culture that improves the career prospects and opportunities for employees from ethnic minority groups.
  
  
• The LGBT+ Network aims to provide safety, understanding and support for LGBT+ people in the company. The group has been educating the workforce, notably around the use of pronouns and inclusive language, and welcomes allies and anyone who wants to help promote inclusion.​
  
  
• The Social Mobility Network reaches out to the most disadvantaged members of society and helps make them feel welcome at Sir Robert MᶜAlpine and able to progress and develop their career.

Finally, our partners at Maggie's will host a session on how we can support our friends and colleagues who are affected by cancer. 

This week is an opportunity for us to celebrate the significant strides we have made in recent years in ensuring that we are an inclusive place to work. 

Everyone is welcome at Sir Robert McAlpine!