Celebrating National Inclusion Week

For me, celebrating National Inclusion Week is one of the highlights of my year – it’s great to see how many people are passionate about inclusion from across our organisation, from getting involved in organising the week, hosting a session or just making the time to join the conversations and share their stories, experiences and advice.

Over the past few years, the number of colleagues involved in National Inclusion Week has grown significantly, which shows to me that we really value inclusion as an organisation and more and more people want to know how they can help to positively impact our culture.

At NATS, our Employee Networks promote diversity within our organisation and help create a culture where everyone is included, business challenges are addressed, and support and advice can be shared. These networks are run by colleagues for colleagues, who come together in their workplace based on shared characteristics and life experiences to influence, shape and foster a diverse and inclusive workplace.

This week we want to highlight the work that our Employee Networks do across the business for National Inclusion Week and beyond, as well as hear from them what the week means to their networks.

GlobeAll

GlobeAll represents our ethnic and cultural minority employees with the aim of providing networking opportunities within the community and a space to celebrate our cultural heritage and differences.

We provide resources and communications to foster wider understanding of the challenges faced by minority employees and to create an inclusive and equitable culture across the business.

SkyPride

SkyPride is our LGBTQ+ Employee Network, a network designed to provide a forum for networking and a means of peer support between LGBTQ+ colleagues.

The network raises visibility of the LGBTQ+ community and provides the ED&I function with advice and guidance on related matters and policy. SkyPride is based around the four pillars of wellbeing, education, community and allyship.

Women’s Network

The core purpose of our Women’s Network is to connect, support and empower women across the organisation. We’re committed to providing a collective voice for our members, raising awareness of gender issues and working with our allies to advocate on our behalf when we’re not in the room.

In the same spirit as National Inclusion Week, our network has a focus on taking action to create a workplace that feels inclusive for all. Ultimately, we want to help create an environment where all women can bring their whole selves to work and realise their full potential.

Faith Network

Our Faith Network is a group for networking, peer support, encouragement and education among colleagues of same faiths and between faith or no faith, to raise the visibility of faith communities at work, and to provide colleagues and the organisation with advice, guidance and expertise on faith and inter-faith matters, policy and sharing your faith sensitively in the workplace.

We provide education material for allies and all our colleagues to dispel stereotypes, to ask questions, get involved and speak up for a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Young Professionals’ Network

Our Young Professionals’ Network supports our inclusion mission by aligning ourselves to our three key pillars: Voice & Influence, Learning & Development, and Networking. We champion inclusivity by creating a supportive environment where all voices are valued, and emerging talent is empowered to thrive.

Through informative sessions, networking events, and opportunities for cross-business connections, we aim to build a forward-looking and diverse team that will make aviation an inviting environment for everyone regardless of age.

Disability Network

Our Disability Network provides a forum for employees interested in equality and inclusion and a means of peer support for those affected by impairments and disabilities. The Disability Network ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents in the workplace.

The network provides an opportunity to exchange information and ideas for improvement and raise awareness about employees’ experiences with impairments and disabilities in a confidential and safe space and contribute to improving our progress towards being an all-inclusive organisation.