Our People
We believe our people and our culture differentiate us from our competition. We create an environment where people love to work and feel valued and included, resulting in the successful delivery of our strategy.
Diversity, equality and inclusion
Diversity, equality and inclusion is a strategic focus for us as we believe it should reflect everything we do throughout our business. We are actively driving improvements to increase the diversity of our workforce and in the last year we have improved and achieved greater diversity with more still to do. We are supported by external partners to ensure we continue to further increase the diversity of our workforce.
We have an Equal Opportunities Policy in place which sets out how we do this, and have in place forums which work to improve diversity and the working environment within the business.
We put in place measures to make a career with us and in the construction industry an attractive choice for underrepresented groups such as young people and women which research has shown do not readily look at the industry as a career choice.
We have taken actions to encourage workforce diversity via anonymised CVs for recruitment, flexible working, family friendly policies, analysis of diversity across the group for monitoring purposes, and quarterly people review.
Mental wellbeing
When our people go through rough times, we are there for them. With over 100 Mental Health First Aiders we ensure there is always someone to listen and signpost them to professional support, where needed.
We promote wellbeing every day using our wellbeing community and platform. Surveys are used to assess general mental wellbeing and to focus our mental health activities. Line managers have access to learning to identify mental health issues and we give them the skills and confidence to have mental health conversations. We have been described as “being forward-thinking and leading the way within the field of mental health” by a mental health specialist.
Attracting and rewarding talent
Providing competitive remuneration and reward is a key part of our strategy to attract and retain high calibre people. We constantly review our reward package to ensure it fits with market trends and the expectations of our people. Our reward package is centred on choice offering flexible benefits through our rewards portal.
An ethical employer
Bullying and harassment is not permitted and we have stringent policies including a Business Ethics and Code of Conduct policy and Dignity and Work policy setting out rules on behaviour and respect for each other. There is no restriction on Freedom of Association or Trade Union Membership for our staff, and a Whistleblowing policy is also in place to enable staff to report breaches in our policies and working practices.
We have no non-conformances on Equal Opportunities or Human Rights issues.
All staff receive Personal Development Reviews each year in which Personal Objectives supporting the business objectives are put in place and reviewed and at which staff can discuss career development and any concerns with Senior Management.
We engage with our staff through regular updates on the Companies progression and performance and also via an annual Staff Survey, the results of which are analysed and disseminated through the Group and targeted improvements put in place.
We support the key requirements of the Base Code of the Ethical Trading Initiative. These are:
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining is respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
We regularly participate in workshops and seminars on labour standards and legislation changes and are members of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Early careers
We operate a Graduate Scheme and Trainee Management programme. Applicants are invited to apply for places within our business to enhance their knowledge and further their development. Both programmes operate on an annual basis.
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