National Inclusion Week: inclusivity in action at Tarmac

September 30, 2022

As an inclusive employer in the construction and sustainable materials industry, Tarmac is proud to support National Inclusion Week.

National Inclusion Week runs from 26 September to 2 October and was created by Inclusive Employers, the UK’s first diversity and inclusion membership organisation. It aims to raise awareness of inclusion in the workplace and brings organisations together to celebrate and share inclusion best practice.

Now in its tenth year, the 2022 theme is Time to Act: The Power of Now and focuses on the actions needed to bring about impactful change.

Tarmac held a series of events and activities for employees throughout the week, 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, in Burton-on-Trent. Participants were taught techniques to build resilience, confidence, and 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, and 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. These networks, established in 2021, are open to both members and allies, providing safe spaces to find support and share lived experiences.

Colleagues may identify as part of the group or look to provide support as an ally, such as offering skills and sponsorship, or simply to increase their own knowledge.

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:

  • 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
  • Sustainability community

Louise Houston, head of inclusion and diversity for 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.

“National Inclusion Week is a chance to recognise this – to start new conversations, encourage allyship and to celebrate all the work we’ve done so far together to create an inclusive environment for all.”