52 | Just Group PLC | Annual Report and Accounts 2023
COLLEAGUES AND CULTURE continued
Belonging at Just Week Colleagues were invited to attend sessions with three inspirational speakers. Shola Kaye, an award-winning DEIB speaker, focused on belonging and inclusion with the perspective of empathy. Seven-time Paralympic champion, Hannah Cockcroft OBE, talked about belonging and inclusion from the perspective of living with a disability. As the culmination of the week of activities, celebrated Olympic and World Champion swimmer, Mark Foster, shared a story of inclusion from an LGBTQ+ perspective. TWO FLAGSHIP EVENTS We also had two “flagship” activities in September – our Belonging at Just Week and Just Walk. CREATING A CULTURE OF BELONGING As part of building a brilliant diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (“DEIB”) strategy and plan, we are committed to attracting and retaining diverse talent, and believe that our collective brilliance comes from our diversity of thinking and experience. We are passionate about strengthening our inclusive culture and our sense of belonging. This year we had a strong focus on belonging, and it was really positive to see that the efforts we have made resulted in a 5% increase in our Peakon score for colleagues saying that they feel a sense of belonging at Just. TAKE ACTION AND MAKE AN IMPACT Increasing diverse representation is a key part of our DEIB strategy and we’re delighted that we met our 2023 targets for: • 33% of women at senior leadership levels, as part of our commitment to the HM Treasury Women in Finance charter. • 18% Black, Asian and minority ethnic representation at senior leadership levels. In enhancing our talent acquisition strategy, we are also making progress in attracting a broad range of talent and ensuring we have inclusive practices. This has included using specialist job boards, training for people managers, diverse shortlists and interviewers, and becoming signatories to the Centre for Ageing Better Age-friendly Employers Pledge.
I feel like Just/HUB have created a great work environment that is inclusive and enables people to thrive and be themselves.” Colleague comment from October Peakon survey DEIB NETWORKS AND CHAMPIONS Each of our six diversity strands has an Executive sponsor, with DEIB networks and champions spanning our organisation. During the year we undertook a range of activities to foster this sense of inclusion and belonging, including celebrating and recognising Pride, Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Diwali, Black History Month, Neurodiversity Celebration Week, Movember, International Women’s Day and World Menopause Day. Our colleagues are also very open to sharing their own personal stories through a series of Just Perspectives pieces – from a colleague’s breast cancer journey, through to an autism diagnosis. OUR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING PROGRAMMES We have completed another year of our reciprocal mentoring programme where diverse participants are paired with senior leaders for conversations to increase allyship and mutual understanding. This programme sits alongside our Executive sponsorship programme where diverse participants meet regularly and are sponsored by our Executive leaders. We also take part in the 30% Club Mission Include cross-company mentoring for our diverse talent and the Actuarial Mentoring Programme specifically for diverse actuarial talent.
Just Walk for Hourglass We held Just Walk in London and Belfast in aid of our corporate charity partner, Hourglass, the UK’s only charity focused on ending the abuse and neglect of older people. This charity fully aligns with our purpose of helping people achieve a better later life and resonates strongly with our people. In addition, colleagues also have the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities with our partner, Volunteering Works, from outdoor projects to mentoring.
The speakers during National Inclusion Week were terrific!” Colleague comments from October Peakon survey
Just Walk was an amazing and rewarding day. And for such an incredible charity.” Colleague comments from October Peakon survey
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