Why is Diversity and Inclusion So Important?
Every individual has the right to feel like they have equal opportunities within their organisation. Since 2016, the number of female employees has increased year on year across the rail industry.
In many trade environments, there has been a similar increase in the diversity of the workforce.
This means there has never been a more important time to cater for the individual needs of every employee – regardless of their gender, race, age or religion.
How Does the MEWU promote Diversity and Inclusion?
- Female-specific welfare facilities encourage greater diversity in the workplace
- Discreet, hygienic sanitary facilities help to maximise female dignity
- Designated male and female site facilities – all individuals feel like their respective needs are catered to
- Universal unit with rotating male/female/blank ID window – welfare for all, regardless of gender identity
Diversity
According to a recent survey by the RMT, 77% of female members do not have any access to sanitary products at work.
This is why we have built the MEWU with full sanitary ware and disposal facilities – as standard.
Inclusion
Each MEWU is crafted with a rotating male/female ID window, with a blank window in between that allows for self-definition.
This means that the MEWU is built for all binary and non-binary genders, so everyone on site has equal access to welfare at the point of work.
Opportunity
As of January 2020, there are 18.3% female employees at Network Rail, and this figure is rising month-on-month.
By providing designated female welfare at the point of work, Selectequip is proud to support Network Rail’s campaign to diversify the workforce and encourage more females to pursue careers in STEM.
Equality
The MEWU collapses to a 4ft cube, which fits onto a standard rail trolley. Coupled with the secure footed base, this allows the MEWU to be deployed in any remote, trackside location.
Such features ensure that all employees on transient worksites have equal access to welfare at the point of work, just like their office or depot-based colleagues.
What The MEWU Means To Me - Jen Sowter
“I’ve worked on the Rail Infrastructure for over 15 years and whilst welfare at Site Access points has improved, many Site Access points are over 20 minutes from a worksite.
Being a female, it wasn’t easy for me to go to the toilet. Going to the toilet meant finding a hedge or a field – somewhere the lads on site (or passing members of public) couldn’t see me. I’ve even had to urinate in an old hard hat in the back of a van, as that was the only solution with no toilet around.
As there were no welfare facilities in a walking distance, there were times that I couldn’t go to work at all. This was particularly true when I had my period, as periods don’t start at a certain time on a certain day. In fact, I would say that my hysterectomy was necessary for me to continue my working life.
Having a directly accessible MEWU on site will make worksites more appealing to all staff, both female and male. The MEWU also incorporates full sanitary ware and disposal facilities and I believe that this will help to support female employees who already work on track and encourage more females to different roles on transient worksites.”
What The MEWU Means To Me - Keith Gibbs
“It was absolutely fantastic to see, touch and move the world’s first Mobile Expandable Wellbeing Unit.
The MEWU has brought 3 years of collaborative working to life, to make a difference for the workforce of today and to set a new welfare standard for the workforce of tomorrow. I am really pleased that Network Rail has been able to lead the way with the MEWU, but none of this would have been possible without the commitment and drive from Selectequip.
The MEWU truly does fill a gap in the welfare provision, by ensuring our site-based workers have easy access to all necessary facilities.
I previously told my 15-year-old daughter that I would like her to work in the rail, but not on track, due to the lack of welfare facilities. Now, the MEWU has completely changed things and I would absolutely love her to work in any role in our industry, even on track.”