Welsh Water celebrates National Inclusion Week 2022

As a positive inclusive employer, Welsh Water  encouraged participation in National Inclusion Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting the importance of equality in the workplace. This year’s event ran from 26^th September to 2^nd October with the theme “Time to Act: The Power of Now”.

Welsh Water celebrates National Inclusion Week 2022

Welsh Water colleagues took part in National Inclusion Week 2022, with a series of topical workshops and training sessions on diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

As a positive inclusive employer, the company encouraged participation in National Inclusion Week, an annual event dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting the importance of equality in the workplace. This year’s event ran from 26^th September to 2^nd October with the theme “Time to Act: The Power of Now”.

At Welsh Water, National Inclusion week was led from the top with our Chief Executive, Peter Perry, delivering a companywide call for all colleagues, focusing on the promotion of National Inclusion Week activities, and highlighting the importance of being a diverse and inclusive workplace every day.

He urged everyone to act today to make inclusion an everyday reality encouraging colleagues to take the opportunity to attend a series of workshops delivered during inclusion week covering Allyship, Inclusive Language and how we can better support each other.

Pete Perry, CEO said, “We are one of the biggest businesses in Wales and must have a business that is reflective of the communities we serve.  We all must have a 21^st century outlook on everything we do to create an inclusive culture, making sure we welcome all people into our organisation irrespective of their ethnic background, sexuality, race, or religion.” 

“We should embrace diversity and inclusion and I encourage colleagues to make a difference in our organisation by being an ally and helping colleagues feel comfortable and supported so they can be themselves when they come to work.”

The inclusive interactive language session was attended by colleagues from all over the organisation, and two of our non-exec directors.

Equally Yours is another initiative that provides training in a safe environment using a fun, interactive and challenging boardgame. Welsh Water promote this at inclusion week and training sessions take place throughout the year ensuring they provide opportunities for all staff to participate.

Welsh Water is fully committed to being an inclusive employer all year round, with National Inclusion Week highlighting their commitment to inclusivity and promoting their Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Strategy which supports the company’s vision and is guided by its values and setting out their proposals to promote a culture where diversity of our customers and employees is positively valued.

In the last year to further support the work on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Stephne Puddy was appointed as the designated lead for inclusion. The role was created to help drive forward Welsh Water’s action plan and shared vision.

Stephne said, “I was delighted when my role changed to be the Inclusivity Lead for Welsh Water. We have been making great strides in making Welsh Water a better place, but we know we have more to do. National Inclusion Weeks provides us with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved so far and highlight the areas we can focus on moving forward, and knowing we work in an organisation where we have the support of all the executive team means so much.”

At Welsh Water there are a variety of employee-led networks including:

• Embrace (Race network)
• Christians at Welsh Water
• ABLE (Chronic Illness and Long Term Health Condition network)
• LGBT+ Allies Network
• Women’s Network

These groups are open for all to attend and are safe spaces for colleagues to share experiences, identify barriers, and challenges and share best practice. Some Network groups have been nominated this year for external rewards in recognition of their work on inclusivity.

Welsh Water encourages anyone looking to work for an inclusive employer where they can be themselves everyday to look at the vacancies on their careers page https://jobs.dwrcymru.com/content/Life-at-Welsh-Water/?locale=en_GB.