CHOOSING TO CHALLENGE TO EMBRACE DIVERSITY & INCLUSION IN OUR BUSINESS

2021-10-25 09:51:48.0

We believe in the power of difference and that creating a diverse, sustainable, fair, and inclusive workplace, which reflects the communities we serve, makes for a stronger team.

 

We recently hosted our Diversity & Inclusion Week which ran 11 – 15 October. This provided a brilliant focus to showcase how we have been making this happen at BNP Paribas Personal Finance and our fantastic people that are helping to create opportunities for others by acting as incredible role models.

 

At the heart of our diversity approach is the establishment of our seven diversity and inclusion networks; disability, mental health and wellbeing, women in business, multicultural empowerment, pride, helping hands and our newly launched early careers network. These reflect the inclusive environment we nurture at BNP Paribas Personal Finance, which we are dedicated to building on all year round.

 

Diversity & Inclusion Week has created a great opportunity to reflect on how together, through the work of our diversity & inclusion networks, we are helping to drive further positive change. This year’s theme was ‘Choose to Challenge’, as we know that through challenge comes positive change.

 

 Disability

At the start of this year, we were recognised as one of the top employers in the UK for 2021 by the Top Employers Institute. Being a Top Employer not only highlights our dedication to a better world of work but also reinforces our commitment to being a role model business and employer. We’re so proud to be a Disability Confident Level 2 Employer allowing employees to be themselves and celebrate what makes us different.

 

 Mental Health and Wellbeing

We recognise that mental health and wellbeing is as important as physical and medical health concerns, and we understand how, if not supported, the impact to colleagues across all aspects of their lives can create a chain reaction of ramifications. That’s why we’ve introduced Mental Health First Aiders, one of the many resources at our company that we offer to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues.

  

Women in Business

As a company, we’re committed to creating a level playing field for all and championing equality, which includes setting up our Women in Business colleague networks. This has enabled a platform for women to be encouraged to take advantage of the professional development opportunities available to them and to support females in achieving senior management positions as we aim to create a 50/50 gender split by 2025.

 

Multicultural Empowerment

We believe that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background or religious beliefs. That’s why we want our business to be representative of British society today so we have a skilled and inclusive workforce for today and tomorrow. To set this in motion our Multicultural Empowerment Committee is driving positive change within our business and we are a signatory of the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.

 

Pride

More than anything we want our colleagues to be themselves at work and in life so we are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for all, irrespective of their sexual orientation. Attending Pride every year is just one way we signal our commitment to being an inclusive workplace and to LGBTQ+ equality. Find out more about Michael’s journey at BNP Paribas Personal Finance.

 

Supporting those with family and caring responsibilities

In the workplace colleagues juggling family and caring responsibilities can be challenging, so to maximise inclusion and to provide support we’ve created the Helping Hands network.  This network highlights the services available through our colleague benefits’ packages to parents and carers and offers them extra support when they need it most.   

 

Early Careers Network

Our commitment to helping young people and provide opportunities has been further developed with the launch of our Early Careers Network. Learning that 30% of BNP Paribas Personal Finance UK colleagues are under 30, we’re committed to creating a forum to enable those at the early stage of their career to have a voice and access to our corporate leaders. 

 

Although Diversity & Inclusion Week has been a great moment to shine the spotlight on our commitment, fundamentally it’s a 365 day a year focus for colleagues at BNP Paribas Personal Finance. We’ve big ambitions as we continue our journey and we are committed to creating a level playing field.

 

We’d welcome new colleagues to join us to develop their career with us – maybe next year for Diversity & Inclusion Week you could be part of our story?

 

Read our latest report for more on why we’re a role model employer: https://www.bnpparibas-pf.co.uk/csr/