As we continue to mark Inclusion Week, we spoke with Hayley Dyche, Elysium’s Head of Communications and Sponsor of the organisation’s Women’s Employee Resource Group – the Women’s Initiative Network (WIN).
She shares the important work the group has already undertaken to help shape policies within Elysium, and its plans for the future.
“Across Elysium we now have six employee resource groups (ERGs) to support inclusion. Colleagues voted for which groups they felt would be most beneficial and alongside disability, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+, working families and neuro-diversity, they opted for a women’s ERG.
“Elysium, as is the case across the health and social care sector, has a predominantly female workforce and it was important that when considering inclusion, the voice of our female colleagues was heard and represented.
“That doesn’t mean the ERG – which is called Women’s Initiative Network – is only for women. Since it was one of the first ERGs to be established 18 months ago, we have welcomed colleagues from across the organisation, and anybody is welcome. One colleague, for example, joined the group to ensure he was effectively supporting female colleagues within the service he managed.
“When we launched, we had conversations about the sorts of topics that would be helpful and discussed how we could support both those personally experiencing menopause, and those supporting women going through menopause.
“Since then we have worked reviewing key policies including the menopause policy, developing menopause resources and reviewing training for example. The development of a fertility policy, is our next challenge as that is an issue which means lots of different things to different people and as a group we want to make sure the right support is in place in a variety of different scenarios – for women, and the people around them.
“We meet monthly and we would welcome new members – everyone is welcome. We’re a very diverse group with members of different backgrounds, disciplines and from all over the country joining us regularly, We are really proud of what we have achieved so far, and we’re really looking forward to what we will achieve in the future.”