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Our approach to diversity
Our Board-level Diversity Steering Group and Employee Diversity Forum set strategy, educate colleagues and drive a number of initiatives linked to corporate social responsibility.
We respect our employees’ religious beliefs by allowing them to swap one Bank Holiday for another day off for their own religious festival celebrations.
We’re members of Race for Opportunity (RFO), a government backed initiative that benchmarks the diversity of 180 organisations across the UK. In 2004 we were listed as one of the top five most improved organisations in the public and private sector. With an overall score of 68%, compared to the sector average of 49%, we’re now the proud owners of a bronze certificate to mark our achievement. The initiative looks at all areas of our business including leadership, recruitment & training, policy & planning, marketing and community involvement.
And finally we’re members of Opportunity Now, a business-led campaign that works with employers to realise the economic potential and business benefits that women at all levels contribute to the workforce. As first-time participants in gender-related benchmarking, we last year achieved an impressive gold certificate and a score of 80%, well ahead of the sector norm of 65%.