At South East Water, we are a company with over 1000 employees, and we're committed to a thriving, resilient and inclusive environment with respect at its core and where diversity of thinking and being is valued.
Our work to increase diversity and promote equality has seen us take big strides over recent years. Yet, we also recognise there remain challenges that need to be overcome to continue to improve our diversity performance within certain areas of our business, and we’re fully dedicated to effecting that change.
Our recruitment gives us a platform to address imbalances as we strive to attract talented candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds.
To ensure inclusivity and foster a sense of belonging, we actively participate in various networks and cultivate our own initiatives. Our business thrives on a multitude of skills and expertise, and we wholeheartedly embrace the uniqueness of individuals, their ideas, and the passions you bring to our organisation.
Take a look at the different ways we’re working to improve and hear from some of our people about why diversity matters within our recruitment process, our business, our colleagues and our customers.
Womans Utility Network
The Women’s Utility Network WUN was created by a group of successful women in the energy and water industries to empower other women in the utility sector.
Our excellent internal network allows us to support and promote activities like mentoring, attending conferences, and sharing experiences. It is a valuable platform for sharing achievements and receiving guidance at all levels of our organisation.
Safe spaces
In 2021, we became a safe spaces employer to demonstrate our commitment to stand with other employers and organisations in the UK against domestic abuse and sexual violence, providing a safe and discreet way to access specialist support services.
Mental Health First Aiders
We have introduced Mental health first aiders for staff to approach for support. Trained to signpost employees to our external and internal support, the mental health first aiders also attend external courses to give the best support possible.
recruitment process
If you require assistance/adjustments to engage with our recruitment process and to ensure you're able to compete on equal terms, don't hesitate to get in touch with the recruitment team via recruitment.jobs@southeastwater.co.uk(opens in a new tab)
Change 100
We are proud to work with Change 100, an award-winning programme of paid summer work placements and mentoring for disabled students and recent graduates through the Leonard Cheshire Foundation.
This follows a successful trial when four interns joined us the previous summer through the programme, and one of our previous interns received a two-year fixed-term contract with our strategy and regulation department. We have run two separate intakes since working with them in 2022.
Supporting you through menopause
We successfully launched our menopause policy in 2022 to create a welcoming and supportive work environment for all employees. We acknowledge that menopause can present challenges to some employees' work lives, and we want to raise awareness and provide information about it. We encourage open conversations between managers and employees without any discomfort and ensure employees can access support by offering information and assistance as needed.
Key facts about inclusivity and diversion
- 83% of employees believed South East Water respected and valued their differences.
- Across the business, we now have 29 Wellbeing Champions who have all undertaken level two Understanding Health Improvement training to complement our 46 Mental Health First Aiders who support employees and signpost to our other internal and external help.
- 90% believed they could be their authentic selves at work.
- Last year, 57 per cent of our recruits were women, and 66 per cent of our new apprentices in the company were women. Overall, we have increased the number of women at our entry grades by 12 per cent during the last two years.
Introducing Carl
Introducing our HR Resourcing manager, Carl Cameron. Carl joined South East Water in 2021 and oversees permanent and contractor recruitment across the business.
He comes from a background in improving recruitment methods, implementing best practices and managing change.
Carl said:
It’s my view that recruitment is more than just a business process.
It helps individuals achieve long-term goals and find a sense of achievement and purpose.
I understand that as people, who we work for and the job we do, can greatly influence how people see themselves and how they’re perceived by others. That’s why Diversity, Equality, and Inclusivity is important. When someone includes us as part of their identity, we should give back in return.
By natural design, humans are meant to be part of a larger community or purpose. Welcoming the differences in individuals, their backgrounds, ways of life, thoughts, and past encounters significantly improves our company and makes us more adaptable.
At South East Water, we’re committed to change, and I know that I’m in a fortunate position to make an impact.
Introducing Saira
Meet our HR Resourcing Advisor, Saira Khaliq. Saira joined us in July 2023 and works with hiring managers to deliver recruitment across the business.
She also engages with people looking to join us, giving them the best possible recruitment experience.
Saira said:
I am neurodivergent, which means that I struggle with attention, mental processing and social skills.
At South East Water, however, I am encouraged just to be myself, which means I can focus on getting the important stuff done, as none of my energy is lost on masking my neurodivergent traits.
I am also offered resources and adjustments that allow me to work comfortably.
Thanks to the inclusive culture at South East Water, the company welcomes my contributions, and I feel respected and appreciated for who I am rather than who I should be.
I am aware of how challenging it can be to talk openly about mental health issues and potential challenges at work.
That’s why I want to use my positive experience at South East Water to encourage other employees and those who would like to work here to be open about discussing their struggles so that we can all find ways to support each other.
Our apprenticeship scheme
We have created a significant number of new apprenticeship roles as we seek to encourage more women to join our industry, improve social mobility, invest in young people and future-proof our business.