EMR first train operator to be awarded Diversity and Inclusion Gold Standard
• EMR awarded Gold Standard accreditation for Diversity and Inclusion
• First train company in the country to achieve Gold Standard
• EMR praised for its employee run Network Groups, use of data and strong Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) strategy
East Midlands Railway (EMR) is leading the rail industry after achieving an accreditation which confirms it is embedding diversity and inclusion best practices into all aspects of its work.
The train operator is the first in the country to achieve the Inclusive Employers Gold standard accreditation. The Gold Standard is awarded to organisations that can provide evidence of fully integrating diversity and inclusion into everything they do, with all policies and practices reflecting and reinforcing its strategy.
EMR's work to create 'empowered' employee led Network Groups with senior support has garnered considerable praise. These groups are important in helping EMR amplify the voices of underrepresented employees and use their experiences to develop a more inclusive work place.
Hannah Cotton-Diederich is part of EMR's Stronger Together Network - it works to represent LGBTQ+ employees and helps to understand the needs and experiences of these employees so they can be fed into the development of employment policy and practice.
She said: "It is great news that EMR has been recognised for the work that has gone into the employee Network Groups. These groups provide a place for colleagues to not only get involved in the promotion of inclusivity at work but also to give and receive support to be themselves at work.
"The LGBTQ+ Network has helped me to be confident in sharing who I am at work, and allowed me to share my story to help others at work and in their personal life."
EMR was also praised for fostering an inclusive culture and excelling not only in collecting and acting on diversity data but also in linking it to its wider D&I strategy.
John Sturgeon, Finance Director and Exec Champion for Diversity & Inclusion said “EMR’s role is about connecting people, understanding their differences and needs, and ensuring that when they travel with us that they feel safe and supported.
"It’s fantastic to receive recognition that we are leading the industry in our approach to Diversity and Inclusion by challenging and embedding D&I, and continually raising the profile of Health, Safety and Wellbeing best practice across EMR.”
Kate Holden, HR Director for East Midlands Railway, said: "To receive this accreditation is testament to the D&I strategy we have put in place to promote a positive working environment for all current and potential colleagues, enabling them to enjoy equality of opportunity in the workplace.
"We are particularly proud of the recognition our employee-led networks have received; their work is vital and helps us focus on the diversity and inclusion issues our staff are really passionate about."
Dr. Emily Pattinson, Inclusive Employers Standard (IES) Programme Lead, said: "We would like to congratulate EMR for achieving an Inclusive Employers Standard Gold award.
"It is clear that EMR has done a lot of work to establish a very strong inclusion approach and develop some innovative solutions to the challenges it faces.”
"Of particular note is the way in which EMR uses data to inform and guide its strategy and its implementation, ensuring that everything it does has an evidence base.
"The evolution of the Network Groups and the senior support that is in place supporting those groups is also wonderful to see.
“Overall, it's clear that EMR uses a range of ways to involve staff in wider organisational decision-making. It listens, and changes are fed back."