Kier Highways rises to diversity challenge

18/11/2019 | CHRIS AMES

Kier Highways has achieved the Leaders in Diversity accreditation from the National Centre for Diversity for its commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace.

The accolade is one up from the Investors in Diversity level, which the business unit has held for the last four years. The top level is Masters in Diversity.

Kier Highways said that to achieve the leaders certification, it revamped its approach to equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I).

Tracey Collins, talent, development and inclusion manager at Kier Highways, said: ‘Leaders in Diversity really challenged us to look at our ED&I journey. The National Centre of Diversity has been excellent and supportive as our critical friend. It’s useful to have an external body assess what we do and help us to form our action plan.

‘We will continue to be committed to ED&I growth; this is only the beginning of the journey for us.’

Kier Highways operates a dedicated ED&I steering group with senior leaders’ sponsorship and 55 representatives from across the business.

It has launched a new strategy and accompanying action plan, which focuses on three key areas:

  • Employees – the plan commits to communicate, develop and coach employees on ED&I to ensure  shared responsibility
  • Customers and communities – the business aims to ‘put people at the heart of everything it does’ by understanding the different needs of its customers and communities
  • Supply chain partners – Kier Highways aims to be connected to its supply chain to help make wider change and improve overall industry performance

Kier Highways said a key focus for it in the last year has been to promote the business to women. In 2019, women working in operations for Kier Highways increased by 1.5% and the business will be continuing to encourage this growth in the coming years.

It added that it has worked hard to make everyone feel comfortable at work with campaigns such as ‘bringing my whole self to work’ and through supporting National Inclusion Week.

These campaigns have helped to educate employees on areas such as unconscious bias and encourage teams to get to know each other, celebrating differences and similarities to recognise the benefits of diverse teams, the firm said.

As a result, an annual anonymous survey for employees showed an increase in employees feeling more comfortable declaring their sexual orientation and any disabilities they have.

Kier Highways was recently listed in the National Centre for Diversity’s Top 100 Champions of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, which celebrates the UK’s top 100 companies that make a difference in the workplace and ‘set the bar high’ for fairness.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Head of Highways Operations

Salary
Somerset Council
Recruiter: Somerset Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW