The Pride Progress Flag flies on a flagpole

    Embracing Diversity: The Celebration of Pride Month

    26 Jun 2024 Our people

    We’re committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. This commitment is especially significant as we celebrate Pride Month which, as a large organisation, we value diversity in all its forms. This dedication is not just a corporate policy; it is a core part of our culture that is embedded in every aspect of our business.

    Celebrating Pride at Cadent

    Pride Month offers us an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made in creating a supportive environment for our LGBTQ+ employees and to recommit ourselves to further advancements. Throughout June, we engage in various activities and events to celebrate our LGBTQ+ colleagues and to raise awareness about the issues they face. These activities include:

    • Lunch & Learns: Our Pride at Work group hosts webinars and that educate and involve all our employees about LGBTQ+ history, rights and the challenges the community faces today.
    • Pride Events: We participate in local Pride parades and events, showing our solidarity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Most recently we attended Birmingham Pride where colleagues were invited to attend and celebrate.
    • Working with external partners: We are committed to educating our employees where we can, and we do this with the help of charities and trusts outside of Cadent. Bringing training packages accessible to all and standing with us at our Pride events. Importantly, this also helps us challenge our behaviours and policies and show where there is room for improvement.

    Matthew Burkey - Senior Engineer Asset Investment & Co-Chair of Pride at Work said:

    Pride to me is about acceptance, education and celebration. It is a privilege to co-chair this large community within Cadent, where we are able to make a real difference. Educating people on the challenges the LGBTQ+ community face daily, breaking down stereotypes, stigmas and celebrating how far we have come. I wanted to become a chair because I found it difficult to come to terms with my sexuality, especially in my background as an energy operations pressure control engineer. In such a male-dominated industry, it's hard to be yourself without worrying about how people may perceive you. I wanted to help change this and, along with my other chairs, we have really focused on education this year to help break down those walls.

    Our Inclusive Community Groups

    We recognise that diversity goes beyond sexual orientation and gender identity. Our commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the wide range of community groups that our colleagues can get involved with. Each of our groups are dedicated to promoting diversity and providing support for different aspects of our own identities and experiences.

    • Women in Cadent: Raising awareness and striving for equality and supporting women's professional and personal development.
    • Thrive: Raising awareness of and supporting visible and invisible disabilities, making our workplace accessible and supportive to all.
    • Embrace: Promoting and championing awareness and inclusivity for all religions and faiths, discussing issues faced by ethnic minority backgrounds.
    • Cadent Military Community: Bringing together and supporting veterans and reservists, family and friends.
    • Grief Awareness Community: Ensuring that nobody goes through grief alone.
    • Men’s Engagement Network: Focusing on men's physical health, mental health, and topics contributing to the discussion around masculinity.
    A Culture of Inclusion

    Our community groups are just one aspect of our efforts to build an inclusive culture. We have implemented comprehensive diversity and inclusion training programs for everyone, ensuring that everyone understands the importance of these values and how to embed them in their daily work. Also, our recruitment practices are designed to attract a diverse pool of talent and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for advancement within our company.

    By celebrating Pride Month and supporting our various community groups, we demonstrate our unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion. At Cadent, we believe that a diverse workforce drives innovation and success. We are proud to create an environment where everyone can thrive.

    As we continue to celebrate Pride Month, we encourage everyone to participate in the events and activities, to learn from one another and to celebrate the diversity that makes Cadent a truly exceptional place to work. Together, we can build a more inclusive future for all.

    Want to find out more about our culture? Click here

    Interested in a career with us? Click here

    Cadent

    Cadent is the UK’s largest gas distribution network with a 200-year legacy. We are in a unique position to build on strong foundations whilst encouraging the curiosity to think differently and the courage to embrace change. Day to day we continue to operate, maintain and innovate the UK’s largest gas network, transporting gas safely and protecting people in an emergency. Our skilled engineers and specialists remain committed to the communities we serve, working day and night to ensure gas reaches 11 million homes from Cumbria to North London and the Welsh Borders to East Anglia, to keep your energy flowing.

    Future of Gas:

    Here at Cadent we support the Government’s plans to reach Net Zero by 2050. That means we’re backing the introduction of hydrogen as a low carbon alternative to natural gas for the future. We know people love the controllability of gas and, with our network already in place, it makes sense to switch to the lower carbon alternative offered by hydrogen, which we believe can keep homes and businesses warm for generations to come.

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