A long-term partnership between Positive About Inclusion and the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) team at Nissan’s Sunderland plant has delivered a range of initiatives to enhance workplace inclusivity for the 6,000 strong workforce and resulted in a strong and successful ongoing working relationship.
The team at Nissan established a project team of colleagues from across the plant to progress their DEI commitments and were recommended to work with Positive About Inclusion to help shape their priorities and deliver their objectives. With our significant cross-sector experience in supporting organisations to establish their baseline position and prioritise the actions required, we were ideally placed to work with Nissan, and from day one a strong working relationship with a high level of trust was established.
From the outset, the DEI project team had a strong desire to do the right thing and were committed to embedding a sense of belonging throughout the workforce. Following an initial scoping meeting, we were commissioned to deliver an in-person workshop for the project team. This enabled them to clarify their starting position and to articulate and prioritise the next steps required. These included their approach to data collection and monitoring, training for line managers and supervisors, awareness raising amongst employees and inclusive recruitment practices. Positive About Inclusion were further commissioned to support the delivery of a number of these priorities.
This has been a very successful partnership to date with a range of bespoke initiatives delivered by Positive About Inclusion including:
- In person DEI training for over 400 line managers and supervisors – equipping them with the practical tools and techniques to enhance belonging at Nissan.
- Bite size employee awareness sessions as part of a celebration day.
- Specific reviews of Nissan Sunderland Plant recruitment practices including direct, indirect and apprentice recruitment, presenting the findings and recommendations in written reports which
identified opportunities to maximise best practice.
Throughout this collaborative partnership, Positive About Inclusion is considered to be a trusted advisor and critical friend, providing ad hoc advice and guidance when required. Our Directors, Karen and Lucy were even invited to spend some time ‘on the line’ in the Body Shop, enabling recommendations for improvements to inclusivity to be made within context. Furthermore, the senior team at Sunderland has recommended our services to colleagues throughout the Nissan Motor Corporation group, resulting in our working with Nissan’s UK Research & Development Centre at Cranfield and Nissan South Africa.
It’s been a pleasure to work with Lucy and Karen on supporting our DEI journey. They have been so easy to work with and have helped us to translate what can be a complex subject into practical and tangible actions.
Lauren Scattergood, HR Talent Manager, Nissan Sunderland
