Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR)
VolkerFitzpatrick is determined that everyone feels included, valued and free to be their authentic selves at work. Respect for each other underpins our approach to ensuring our business is an attractive and comfortable place to work, and a workplace where everyone strives for, and achieves their highest potential.
For us, being fair, inclusive and respectful means
• Treating people as individuals, without bias and in a way that meets their needs
• Making sure everyone feels part of the team
• Accepting someone for who they are, even if they are different to you
Since the launch of the VolkerWessels UK Fairness, Inclusion and Respect 2022-2025 strategy, the group have made some excellent progress in raising awareness, taking positive action to address areas of underrepresentation in our business and building an engaged group of FIR Champions. The group also have excellent network groups, formed by passionate people in our business to support others and raise awareness. You can read the full Fairness, Inclusion and Respect strategy document here.
The RESPECT programme
When VolkerWessels UK launched the RESPECT programme in 2023, it had a simple message - to respect our colleagues, even if they are different to you, and to treat everyone in a way that you would like to be treated.
On our projects, a key piece of training has been rolled out on ‘banter’, highlighting the need to keep conversations friendly and ensuring banter doesn’t tip over to being either ‘ignorant’ or ‘malicious’.
Taking positive action to attract and retain women in the business
We are passionate about the benefits a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture can bring to the business. We want to inspire women to come to work with us, stay with us for their careers and support them when they need us most.
• A ‘Women in Construction’ working group has been set up to identify and promote initiatives which help to attract and retain females in the business.
• Eleven females attended a trial of the ‘EMPOWER career development programme’ in 2023 designed to support women take the next step in their career. This programme is now in further development.
• We have a female mentoring programme, and are taking actions to roll this out
• Our Maternity, Adoption and Paternity leave policies have recently been enhanced
• Gender decoding technology is used in job adverts to detect and remove unintentional bias in the language used
A network of Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Champions
There are over 120 FIR Champions in the VolkerWessels UK group. They are a group of volunteers from around the business who promote FIR principles with their colleagues through information and sharing, and acting as a ‘safe person’ to support and guide others.
Our partners
Our partners help us meet our fairness, inclusion and respect goals.