National Inclusion Week is a time to celebrate and promote the importance of inclusion in the workplace, ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected. At FocalPoint, we are excited to celebrate and reflect on our commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This week, we take the opportunity to affirm our dedication to creating an environment where every individual feels empowered.

Inclusion is at the heart of our company values. We believe that embracing diversity enriches our work culture and drives our success. It has been well-documented that when people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together, we open up new ways of thinking and solving problems, which drives better decision-making and more creative solutions. And the numbers back this up: the recent McKinsey Diversity Matters report states that companies in the top quartile of ethnic diversity are 27% more likely to achieve financial outperformance versus companies in the bottom quartile.

However, inclusion isn’t just a policy that we implement to boost financial success. It’s a practice that informs how we work, collaborate and grow as humans and as individuals. Becky Read, VP of People at FocalPoint, comments: “FocalPoint’s progress in inclusion is reflected in the diversity of voices shaping our decisions, the openness of our culture, and the opportunities we create for every individual to thrive. As we grow, we remain committed to building a workplace where everyone feels seen, heard, and empowered to succeed.”

We recognise the psychological safety that a diverse workplace can offer and the role our daily interactions play in ensuring the mental well-being of our colleagues. By practising empathy, listening actively, and observing our own biases, we can contribute to building an environment of mutual trust and respect.

We asked our team at FPP what inclusion meant to them and why it matters, and we received a range of responses that we think are worth sharing:

• “Inclusion means being part of the bigger picture”

• “It matters because everyone can provide value and should be taken seriously”

• “It’s about ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and be heard in the workplace.”

• “Inclusion is equal access and accommodation on a case-by-case basis”

“Inclusion means being part of the bigger picture”

“It matters because everyone can provide value and should be taken seriously”

“It’s about ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to participate, contribute, and be heard in the workplace.”

“Inclusion is equal access and accommodation on a case-by-case basis”

Dominique Campbell, Senior Project Manager at FocalPoint, speaks about what inclusion means to her: “It means being included, thought of, or making a decision with your best interest considered. An offer extended–and it’s down to the individual to accept the offer or not. Avoids people being/feeling isolated, increases morale and buy-in from team members, and ensures people feel valued and respected.”

Our policies are designed to support and promote diversity at every level of the organisation. As a company with 13 different nationalities from 5 different continents, we are continuously evolving our diversity strategy and training programs to provide the level of support our teams need. We frequently review our hiring practices to make sure they are equitable and inclusive. We provide visa sponsorships to talented individuals from across the world, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.

We also proactively seek feedback from our team to refine and improve our policies. In a recent anonymous survey, we found that 87% of people believe FocalPoint fosters an inclusive environment where all employees feel respected and valued.

Here are some of the policies that we’re particularly proud of having evolved over time.

Flexible working:

Our flexible working policies accommodate the varying needs and preferences of employees, including individuals with disabilities, caregivers, parents, and those with different workstyle preferences. Employees can choose if and when they want to come into our offices in Cambridge and Bristol. Some of our employees work entirely remotely from the US and Spain. Our flexible work practices have allowed employees to tailor their work schedules around family, health and personal interests and hobbies. This approach has also helped us attract a more diverse talent pool and reduce bias related to physical presence in the workplace.

Holidays:

At the end of each year, our office closes to give employees precious time to spend with family, relax, and recharge for the new year. We understand the importance of inclusive language, so we renamed our “Christmas closure” to “end-of-year closure” to ensure all employees feel included, regardless of whether they celebrate Christmas. Additionally, employees have the option to swap bank holidays for religious or cultural holidays—such as swapping Easter for Eid—allowing for greater flexibility and respect for individual beliefs.

Mental health support:

A strong mental health policy and comprehensive insurance are crucial for DEI because they ensure all employees, regardless of background, have access to the support they need. Our Vitality Health Insurance now offers the highest level of mental health cover, which includes an Employee Assistance Programme to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health and wellbeing. This covers assessment, short-term counselling and referral services for employees and their immediate family – wherever they are in the world.

To give you a glimpse of the impact of our inclusion efforts, here are a few words from our team members:

“Overall, I feel really included in FocalPoint and I found a very diverse, open, and friendly environment.” – Simone Tanzarella, Machine Learning Engineer

“Simple things like having a vegan or halal option for food or the option to swap out a bank holiday for another day of cultural/religious significance makes a difference. I love that we have just one big lunch table around which everyone sits. 🙂 I go into work knowing I can just be myself and that eases my mental load significantly.” – Ramya Sriram, Digital Marketing Specialist

“On the whole it has been positive, there’s an open culture in engineering that promotes collaboration, which comes from the tech leads.” – Employee who chose to remain anonymous

Despite our progress, we recognise that there are still challenges to address such as unconscious bias or systemic barriers. However, these challenges also present opportunities for us to innovate and grow. By continuing to engage in open dialogues and regularly assessing our policies, we can overcome these obstacles and drive meaningful change.

Some of the feedback we’ve received in our survey has included suggestions to conduct interactive workshops for training and increase awareness about cultural celebrations and their significance. We look forward to incorporating these ideas into our upcoming DEI initiatives.

As we celebrate National Inclusion Week, we encourage everyone to reflect on their role in promoting a more inclusive workplace. Engage with our diversity initiatives and participate in discussions, and continue to champion inclusivity in their day-to-day interactions. Inclusion at an individual level can simply mean creating a safe space for your colleagues. When people feel secure and supported, it can go a long way in helping authentic and diverse voices be heard.