Inclusivity in action at Tarmac
Company hosts series of employee events and activities in support of National Inclusion Week
AS an inclusive employer in the construction and sustainable materials industry, Tarmac say they were proud to support National Inclusion Week (26 September to 2 October), which was created by Inclusive Employers, the UK’s first diversity and inclusion membership organization.
National Inclusion Week aims to raise awareness of inclusion in the workplace and bring organizations together to celebrate and share inclusion best practice. Now in its tenth year, the 2022 theme, ‘Time to Act: The Power of Now’, focused on the actions needed to bring about impactful change.
Throughout the week Tarmac have held a series of events and activities for employees, including the launch of an ‘invest in you’ workshop on Wednesday 28 September.
In collaboration with Tarmac’s REACH (Religious, Ethnic, and Cultural Heritage) employee community and Nicola Wood, a guest facilitator, the session took place at Alrewas Quarry, near Burton-on-Trent. Participants were taught techniques to build resilience and confidence, and on how to overcome workplace challenges.
The workshop was specifically designed to connect and support employees from various backgrounds – with delegates participating in activities, including exercises analysing emotions and positive mindsets, as well as sharing their experiences from within the industry and beyond.
Friday 30 September saw the business host a ‘belonging breakfast’, with both operational and office-based colleagues UK wide encouraged to take time out to reconnect personally with workmates.
Helping to shape and facilitate the week’s events were members of Tarmac’s dedicated employee community networks. Established in 2021, these networks are open to both members and allies, providing safe spaces to find support and share lived experiences.
The communities also aim to connect colleagues and encourage social inclusion, as well as offering personal and professional development and ensuring visibility for all groups within Tarmac. Community members have shaped real change at Tarmac, providing feedback, perspectives, and challenge to senior leaders.
They include the REACH (Religious, Ethnic, and Cultural Heritage) community, Female Voice community, Parents and Carers community, Mental Health and Wellbeing community, LGBTQ+ community, Menopause Support community, Ability community, and Sustainability community.
Louise Houston, head of inclusion and diversity at Tarmac, said: ‘As a business, we want everyone to feel welcome and that they belong here. We’re committed to doing all we can to make Tarmac a more understanding and enjoyable place to work for everyone.
