National Inclusion Week: An update from our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

This year's National Inclusion Week theme, 'Build Trust. Navigate Change', is a reminder that inclusion isn't something we achieve and then move on from, but an ongoing commitment to listening, learning and taking action.

Over the past year, we've continued to build on that commitment across Nexer Digital. Alongside the work of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), we've taken time to listen to colleagues through initiatives such as our employee survey with Honey Badger, helping us better understand people's experiences and identify opportunities to improve. We've also continued to focus on creating a workplace where people feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

Our ERGs remain an important part of that journey. They create spaces for connection, support and learning, while helping us better understand the diverse experiences of people across our business. To mark National Inclusion Week, we asked each group to share a quick update on what they've been working on and what's coming next.

Reproductive Health

The Reproductive Health ERG creates a safe and supportive space for conversations around reproductive health, helping to raise awareness, share experiences and ensure colleagues feel supported both at work and beyond.

This year, they've continued supporting colleagues through conversations about reproductive health, while also working closely with HR to strengthen our period and menopause policy through open and honest discussions about what works, what doesn't, and how we can better support people.

The group has shared resources and learning opportunities, including a webinar on PMDD, held workshops to shape the future direction of the ERG, and gathered feedback through an internal survey to better understand what colleagues value and where more support may be needed. Members have also helped raise awareness of reproductive health topics across the business, while outside of Nexer, Jade's incredible fundraising efforts raised more than £1,000 for Endometriosis UK.

The group is currently reviewing survey feedback to better understand barriers to participation and identify opportunities to increase awareness and education around reproductive health across the organisation.

Future plans include creating a reproductive health resource box for the office, welcoming guest speakers to discuss topics such as menopause in the workplace and exploring new learning opportunities for colleagues.

Access at Nexer

Access at Nexer champions accessibility and inclusion across the business, helping to ensure everyone can participate fully and thrive at work.

Much of the group's focus this year has been on adapting to change while keeping accessibility front of mind. Following organisational and team changes, members have reviewed priorities and considered how best to support colleagues through everything from office refurbishments and laptop migrations to travel profiles and workplace processes.

They've also continued to reinforce established initiatives such as our Inclusive Meetings Guidelines and in-person meeting standards, helping to ensure they remain visible, relevant and effective. A key focus has been recognising that inclusive practices require ongoing attention, with regular reviews and feedback helping to keep accessibility embedded in everyday working life.

Going forward, Access at Nexer is focused on increasing visibility and encouraging more colleagues to get involved. Plans include exploring opportunities through newsletters, Viva Engage and internal communications, alongside continuing to champion accessibility through company meetings, events and wider conversations across the business.

C.A.R.I.N.G

C.A.R.I.N.G provides a space for colleagues to connect, share perspectives and contribute to conversations that help shape our culture and employee experience.

This year, Sam Belola represented the ERG in the development and internal approach to Nexer Digital's inaugural culture survey, helping to ensure colleague perspectives were part of the process. The survey has given us valuable insights into colleagues' experiences and opportunities to continue building a more inclusive workplace.

The group looks forward to continuing to represent colleague voices and contribute to conversations about culture, inclusion and employee experience across Nexer Digital.

Still Proud

Still Proud provides a space for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to connect, support one another and help foster an inclusive culture where everyone feels able to be themselves. This year, our work has been community focused and practical, to help understand how changes in the law and supporting guidance might impact us as an employer, occasional event host and inclusion advocate.

Specifically, we hosted a community engagement with Macclesfield Pride, Geeks for Social Change and Not in Our Name to look at how community platforms can be used for inclusion, how social media can be a force for good and how you can take an intersectional approach as a business. This collaboration culminated in Nexer speaking at Macclesfield Pride about the value of inclusion to business. We also managed to decorate the office to show the passing Pride parade that Nexer is Still Proud. The work to re-draft our bathroom policy for staff and visitors continues, and dovetails nicely with some of our Reproductive Health group's work on inclusive language and gender.

Looking ahead

The work of our ERGs gives us a way to listen to people's experiences, learn from them and turn those conversations into practical changes across Nexer. Whether that's reviewing our policies, improving accessibility in our workplaces, or creating more opportunities for people to connect and share their experiences, the work is ongoing.

As we navigate change, we'll continue to make space for those conversations and look at what we can do differently. That means being open to feedback, recognising where things aren't working as well as they could, and making changes where we can.

Thank you to everyone who contributes to our ERGs, whether as organisers, members, allies or supporters. The time, ideas and conversations you bring help us understand what inclusion looks like in practice and where we still have work to do.