Diversity and Inclusion
We’re aiming to create a truly diverse and inclusive business here at FCDO Services – and we recognise our part to play in helping change in the technology and construction industries too.
We’re aiming to create a truly diverse and inclusive business here at FCDO Services – and we recognise our part to play in helping change in the technology and construction industries too.
What does a truly diverse and inclusive business feel like? It’s where you can be yourself, no holding back. Where you can be appreciated for who you really are and recognised for the contribution you make.
It’s where the whole team makes a conscious effort to understand and support each other’s cultures, backgrounds, experiences. Where training is given across the business to help us all do that better.
It’s where you’re supported to do your best work. Where your managers care about meeting your needs, from the right working conditions and tools, to the right work patterns.
That’s the environment we want for everyone at FCDO Services – and we work hard every day to achieve it.
Our vision is to be a diverse and inclusive organisation that looks after the wellbeing of all of our people.
To enable us to achieve this we are focused on four areas: Inclusion, Respect at Work, Attracting and Promoting Talent; and Wellbeing.
Each area is championed by a member of our Executive board.
Creating a consciously inclusive environment takes constant work from all of us together. So, what have we been up to recently? Explore our efforts here:
Mental health is a sensitive topic. FCDO Services are committed to supporting our staff’s well-being and during the pandemic we knew it was more important than ever to keep reaching out. To make sure that everyone felt comfortable to talk about their mental health. One way we did that is through a talk on suicide prevention with radio and TV host, Roman Kemp. You can read more about that on our corporate site here.
For the second year running, we were proud to partner with the Women’s Engineering Society for a work shadowing event. Aimed to help bring more women into engineering, the event showed female students what it’s like to be part of FCDO Services, hearing from senior female leaders and finding role models within our inclusive organisation. Find out what they learned here.
Supporting flourishing tech talent in our local area, one of our Lead Technical Architects ran a real life coding project with MK College students. The team learned about the practical skills we look for; what a technology career really looks like; and what their impact could be at FCDO Services. Find out more about the project.
Writing your CV can be a huge barrier to entry for students joining the workforce. What are you supposed to write? What’s the best way to present your skills? How do you tailor it for the career you want? We talked about all that and more with local college students in our CV Workshops. Read more here.
Milton Keynes charity Worktree aims to create a community where people of all backgrounds have the knowledge, training and support to make great career choices. Throughout the last year, colleagues from across the organisation have helped with that goal, meeting students virtually to give an insight into their role, their path, even their salary. It’s all about providing as much information as possible, to show students different career options and to help them make informed decisions about their career choices.
No industry should be closed to you because of your gender identity. From Engineering to IT to Construction, we strive for equality both here and in the wider industry. Here’s a podcast with just some of our female-identifying Engineers, talking about their experience.
We’re proud signatories of the Race at Work Charter
Our anonymised recruitment means a fairer application experience
We aim for a workplace that’s supportive and free from bullying and discrimination. We make sure every colleague is equipped to support one another through our training, including:
This mandatory course trains colleagues in equality legislation and how to tackle inappropriate behaviour.
This course gives colleagues the understanding and confidence to help colleagues in distress.
With video and digital learning, this training helps us support each other’s mental health, as well as our own.
Essential for managers, this course tackles how to spot and stop bullying, harassment and discrimination.
Delivered to 117 leaders so far across the business, this course helps managers train to support and improve the wellbeing of their team.
If you’re transitioning from the armed forces into FCDO Services, you’ll be in very good company. We’re experienced employers for ex-forces colleagues, working with CTP among other organisations, and we need people with skillsets just like yours. Because of that, there are ex-forces personnel across our organisation, so you’ll always have people you can turn to for advice and support – as well as a team around you who’ll help you adjust.
Our Executive Diversity Champions help drive inclusion at every level
Our objectives are in line with a wider D&I strategy for the whole Civil Service
Every colleague should have a workplace and a working pattern that meets their needs and enables their best work. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer and make adjustments for anyone who needs it.
That could include:
We also make reasonable adjustments in our application and interview process, find out more on our How to apply page.
For more on how Workplace Adjustment Passports can help, you can find out about the experiences of colleagues across the Civil Service here.
Mind, the mental health charity, estimates that every year, 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health issue. We’re making sure that our colleagues are supported, and that they know how to support each other. That includes: