Balfour Beatty Group Chief Executive, Leo Quinn, reflects on National Inclusion Week 2023 and discusses the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives. Quinn met with the co-chairs from Balfour Beatty's five employee-led Affinity Networks - Ability, Gender, LGBTQ+, Multicultural, and Neurodiversity - and listened to their personal stories and experiences of working at the company. As a result of the session, Quinn plans to take firm action to embed new initiatives and promote practices that will support Balfour Beatty on its journey to becoming a truly diverse and inclusive business.
In terms of Ability, Balfour Beatty's Viking Link project, which connects the British and Danish power grids, is leading the way in providing accessible desks, automated doors, and level access for employees. Quinn plans to explore how these initiatives can be rolled out more widely across all offices and sites to ensure accessible and inclusive workplaces.
Balfour Beatty will also be looking at improving welfare facilities on its sites to ensure access to period products and sanitary bins. The company has already partnered with Hey Girls, an organization aiming to eradicate period poverty in the UK, and has introduced sanitary products for employees and visitors free of charge.
The co-chairs of Balfour Beatty's LGBTQ+ Affinity Network emphasized the importance of visible leadership in creating a psychologically safe work environment. As a result, Quinn will be wearing a rainbow lanyard and encouraging others to do the same.
Balfour Beatty aims to create a workplace that reflects the communities it serves. The company will be working closely with the Multicultural Affinity Network to improve its approach across all operations, such as establishing multifaith rooms where colleagues can pray during the day.
Lastly, Quinn highlights the importance of supporting neurodiverse colleagues and introducing small changes that can make a difference, such as reading pens and noise-canceling headphones. Balfour Beatty will prioritize making these tools more accessible.
Overall, Balfour Beatty's Affinity Networks provide an opportunity for colleagues to contribute and make the company a better place to work. During National Inclusion Week, Quinn encourages everyone at Balfour Beatty to take action and make an impact, emphasizing that what is not changed is chosen.