Inclusivity at West Yorkshire Combined Authority

The Combined Authority was shortlisted by Vercida Group for their 2023/24 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Employer of Choice award.

The Vercida Inclusive Employer Awards 23/24 are a celebration of achievement by organisations putting in the effort to demonstrate they are going the extra mile to create workplace environments fit for all.

Throughout the year, the Vercida website captures data from millions of interactions by the job-seeking public to form the UK Jobseeker Diversity Index. Examining this data further, we see exactly which employers are favoured by the jobseekers.

The awards are very much the people's choice and employers who earn the winning prize will have done so through their own internal efforts to create harmonious and inclusive workplace cultures.

The Combined Authority is passionate to be a diverse, inclusive and innovative organisation, celebrating the difference of all the people we serve, work with and employ. We know through evidence that diverse experience, ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better outcomes. 

We are working together for an inclusive West Yorkshire, and we’re committed to achieving our vision to be a leader recognised nationally for our focus and commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

By understanding more about our inclusive workplace culture and the diversity of our workforce, we can create changes and strengthen the organisation to better support the people we work with and serve. As such our employees are asked to undertake activities, including training, to support us all in bringing our whole selves to work.

We recognise that we have under-representation across the organisation, particularly at senior level. We therefore encourage and welcome applications irrespective of people's age, disability, gender identity and gender expression, neuro-divergence, pregnancy or maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief (or no belief), sex, sex characteristics, sexual orientation,  or other characteristics that shape our whole selves. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including due consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability and/or who are neuro-divergent. By ensuring that equity, diversity and inclusion are central to our recruitment principles and processes, we can continue developing a diverse and inclusive workplace that benefits our people, place and region. This is why we are a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Employer organisation.

Embrace was established in 2020 and is the Staff Network Group for Combined Authority Colleagues who define themselves as belonging to a minority ethnic group.  Membership of this group aims to reflect the diversity of Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff at the Combined Authority. The group strive to provide an effective voice for ethnically diverse staff to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the Combined Authority.

Gender Equality Group was established in late 2020. The group meets regularly to shine a spotlight on gender inequality and help the organisation to address these inequalities. It is a problem-solving, action-oriented group.  Some of the achievements since the group was established include:

• Established a wellbeing room which will have books and resources
• Involved in developing the Breastfeeding in the Workplace guidance
• Provision of free menstrual products in staff toilets
• Supported those with increased childcare, home schooling and other caring responsibilities

The group put together a range of activities for the week of International Women's Day.  These included talks, health & well-being events, an inspiration wall, further recommended reading, and case studies. 

Proud was established in 2020 and is the Staff Network Group for Combined Authority Colleagues who identify as LGBTQIA+.  The ambition of the group is to be an organisation that is recognised for being a safe space where all staff feel they can be themselves without any fear of being judged and / or discriminated against; to be an organisation proud of having an exemplary approach to equity, diversity and inclusion. This means striving to be a workplace that is free from discrimination, is anti-racist, and actively promotes diversity and inclusion – both internally and externally.   

WeCan was established in late 2021 and is the Staff Network Group for Combined Authority Colleagues who identify as having a disability or long-term condition that has an impact on their daily lives. The group is also open to all including allies, family members or friends of those living with a condition or disability.  The group was created as a safe space for employees to meet and discuss issues that affect disabled employees and discuss changes in the workplace to better support disabled colleagues and provide more inclusivity.

Young Employee Network was set up as a safe space for colleagues under 31 years of age to support each other. This aligns with the Fair Work Charter - and the Youth Employment UK’s Youth Voices Census.

In addition to the above groups, we also have some support groups:

Parents/Carers of Neurodivergent Children (The PoD) – support for parents, guardians and carers of neurodivergent children (diagnosed or undiagnosed)

Young at Heart group – for colleagues who are over 31 years of age

Proud Allies – for allies of those who identify as LGBTQIA+

We are committed to being a disability confident employer, ensuring that disabled people and those with long term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

We are proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant and pledge to support the armed forces, including existing or prospective employees who are members of the community.  We promote being armed forces-friendly and are open to employing reservists, armed forces veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has a partnership with Vercida Group.  

Vercida (Values, Equality, Respect, Culture, Inclusion, Diversity, Accessibility) is a recruitment platform that specialises in Diversity and Inclusion.  West Yorkshire is a multi cultural county, and we want our organisation to be reflective of the people and communities that we serve.  

You can find out about this partnership by visiting the Combined Authority's Vercida profile.

During early 2024, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority was shortlisted for Vercida Group's 'Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Employer of Choice Award'.

Established in 2004, Mindful Employer is a UK wide initiative run by Devon Partnership NHS Trust.
Providing employers with easier access to professional Workplace Mental Health training, information and support, the initiative aims to help empower employers to take a lead in supporting the mental wellbeing of their staff. By signing the ‘Charter for Employer Positive About Mental Health’, West Yorkshire Combined Authority have made a public statement of our desire to support the mental health of our staff across the organisation.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is certified by the Living Wage Foundation.  The Living Wage is calculated each year based on living costs and accredited employers choose to go further by paying all their staff a real Living Wage. The commitment also means that future contracts for regularly outsourced workers for the Combined Authority will also require at least the real Living Wage to be paid, as opposed to the Government Minimum Wage. The real Living Wage also recognises that under 25s have the same living costs as everyone else.

UNISON West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transport branch secretary Pam Sian said:

“This is really encouraging news. It will give a boost to the incomes of low-paid employees, help the authority keep hold of experienced workers and assist with the recruitment of new staff.  Inflation might have fallen, but the cost-of-living crisis is still having a huge impact on thousands of people. That’s why this move to ensure Combined Authority staff and contractors are paid a wage they can actually live on, is such a positive step.”

Find out more about the Living Wage Foundation on their website.

The Combined Authority is accredited to the West Yorkshire Fair Work Charter.

A Fair Work Charter is a way by which to secure commitments and support from employers (with public recognition) in terms of driving the fairest possible employment behaviours and practices.

Fair work can include good pay, fair and flexible working conditions, as well as greater wellbeing, diversity, and social mobility within the workplace. It’s about helping turn a good business into a great one.

The West Yorkshire Charter supports our ambitions for a prosperous West Yorkshire – an inclusive economy with well paid jobs. It will support employers to develop good jobs, deliver opportunities for people to progress, and help employers to grow and succeed.