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

Asset Senior Maintenance Engineer (CDC)

Grade 10, £47,154 – £51,235
Do you have a positive approach to work and enjoy the challenge of a busy role? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Structures Engineer

£40,777-£45,091
We are seeking to recruit a Highway Structures Engineer - Asset Management Graded 11. The post holder will be responsible for undertaking the workloa Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Arboricultural Consultant

£36168.0000 - £42551.0000 per annum
Arboricultural ConsultantPermanentFull Time, 37 hours per week£36,168 to £42,551 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Flood Risk Engineer - Epping Forest District Council

£40.0000 - £45.0000 per hour
Flood Risk Engineer Epping, EssexFull-Time, Temporary 37 Hours per Week 3 Months Contract* £40-£45 per hour, Umbrella Closing Date
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Senior Engineer

Starting Salary from £43,545 based on skills and
Job TitleSenior Engineer (x2 v... Frogmore Complex, Wandsworth, London,
Recruiter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Electrical Design Engineer

Grade 9 £35,412 to £39,152 - Grade 10 £38,220 to £41,771 - Grade 11 £40,777 to £45,091 - Grade 12 £44,075 to £48,226 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council

Street Lighting Electrician CDC

Grade 8, £33,708 - £37,399
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2311e

£26,403 - £26,824
This is a predominantly office-based role with some site visits required. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Lawyer Planning and Highways - WMF2312e

£56,883 - £59,198
To be a success in our Legal Team you will have experience as a Planning and Highways Lawyer Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Street Cleansing Operative

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
An opportunity exists in the Council's Street Scene Services for a Street Cleansing Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Civil Engineering Technician (HDM)

Grade 4 - Grade 6
Do you want to join a team helping to shape the future of Wakefield through Highways Development Management? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management operative course Staffordshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729 (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Rothersthorpe, Northampton
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Design Services

£77,536 - £83,366
You will lead the delivery of a high-performing Technical Services Partnership (TSP). Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Ecclesfield, Sheffield
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship. Barnsley, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Highways Maintenance Operative Apprentice

£28,729.00 per annum (Subject to review)
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a Lead Traffic Management Operative level 2 apprenticeship Knottingley, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Amey

Civil Enforcement Officers x 2

£26,403.00 - £28,142.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent
Parking Services are looking to recruit 2 full time Civil Enforcement Officers to complement its existing workforce. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Highways Development Officer

£37,280 - £40,777
This is an exciting time for a talented, self-driven professional to join us in the role of Highways Development Management Co-ordinator. Gloucester
Recruiter: Gloucestershire County 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