Stonewall
Cymru has named Environment Agency Wales
as the top employer in Wales. This ranking
has been published in Stonewall’s annual
Workplace Equality Index, showcasing the
UK's top 100 employers for lesbian, gay
and bisexual people.
Environment Agency Wales
Director, Chris Mills said: “I am delighted
to hear that Environment Agency Wales is
now first amongst Welsh employers in the
Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. This
achievement demonstrates the value we place
on working together with our staff to create
a better workplace.
“Environment Agency
Wales has been in the index for three years.
In that time, staff members have helped
us to shape sensible and inclusive work
policies and equality and diversity have
become a natural part of how we operate.
Everyday, our staff
show their high standard of commitment to
providing a better, cleaner healthier Wales
for future generations. Providing an ethical
and supportive workplace is an active part
of our commitment to their personal and
professional development.”
The title of the Environment
Agency’s application to Stonewall: “To truly
make a difference to the environment we
need to be as diverse as the habitats we
protect" demonstrates the Environment
Agency’s commitment to a diverse workplace.
Staff at Environment Agency Wales are proud
of this achievement. We will continue to
work hard to improve diversity and the environment
for all the communities of Wales.
The Environment Agency
has a very active internal staff network.
In addition to their own roles, network
members work with diversity advisors to
improve equal opportunities policies and
support for our lesbian, gay and bisexual
colleagues is a benchmark for good practice,
but there’s more work to do.
By opening the staff
network to include colleagues who are friends
and family members of lesbian, gay and bisexual
people, we can provide support for even
more individuals to make a difference in
their professional and personal lives.
External activities
including attending Pride events across
the UK also shows an understanding that
communities and communities of interest
all have an important role to play in protecting
and improving the environment.
Environment Agency Wales
, Team Leader, Matthew Ross said: "I
work for Environment Agency Wales because
I care about the environment. Being open
as myself at work means I can do my best
for the environment without holding back.
I am proud to work for an organisation that
values me as a whole person. It really is
ok to be different and work for us."
Employers in the Workplace
Equality index were ranked according to
criteria ranging from implementation of
an effective equality policy to demonstrating
how they engage with their lesbian and gay
staff and customers and service users. The
Index assesses actual practice, such as
recruitment and mentoring activity, as well
as policy.
Stonewall Cymru is an
all-Wales charity that aims to achieve legal
equality and social justice for Lesbian,
Gay and Bisexual people in Wales. Through
the Diversity Champions Cymru programme
employers in Wales can work with Stonewall
Cymru to promote diversity in the workplace.
Stonewall Cymru Director,
Liz Morgan said: “I am delighted that Environment
Agency Wales has been named the Top Welsh
Employer in Stonewall’s 2009 Workplace Equality
Index. The 2009 Index is the most competitive
yet so this is a great achievement. I hope
other organisations in Wales will follow
Environment Agency Wales’ example in working
with Stonewall Cymru and the Diversity Champions
programme.”
Living Waters for Wales
Environment Agency Wales is asking people
and businesses to give their views on how
to improve waters across Wales as part of
the Living Waters for Wales, a sixmonth
consultation to find out the best ways to
create an even better natu
For the first time ever,
all issues affecting water can be addressed
together to find shared solutions to improving
water quality, supply, flood risk and to
reducing pollution.
Water quality in Wales
has improved considerably over the past
twenty years. This is a great opportunity
to ensure that our water environment reaches
an even higher standard.
We have opened the consultation
to everyone and are particularly keen to
hear from farmers, water companies, anglers,
industry and those involved in mining, quarrying
and navigation. Information sharing sessions
will be held locally by the Agency and other
organisations between now and 22nd June
to develop a final plan that sets out an
agreed way of improving Wales’ waters for
everybody.
Chris Mills, Director
Environment Agency Wales says: ‘Wales’ waters
are there for us all. We use and enjoy them
in very many different ways and we all need
to look after them.
We’re wise enough to
know that solutions aren’t instant or simple.
We now have the opportunity of a lifetime
to collectively set out the next steps for
improving things for the future.
We will work on a long
term programme of environmental improvements
to make local rivers a better place for
wildlife and all water users. We need help
from people who know about their local area.
We ask anybody who has an interest in the
health of our waters to take a look at our
website or come to one of the local discussion
sessions being run over the next six months.’
Jane Davidson, Minister
for the Environment, Sustainability and
Housing says: ‘The quality of Wales’ water
environment affects us all and the Welsh
Assembly Government is determined to protect
our rivers, lakes and coastal waters for
future generations.
‘This is an opportunity
for the people of Wales to have their say
on how we defend and improve our waterways
to make sure they are a healthy, thriving
environment for both mankind and wildlife.’
