GSLS were delighted to have been awarded Investors in Diversity Bronze from the Irish Centre for Diversity in recent months. The accreditation is Ireland’s premier Equality, Diversity * Inclusion (EDI) accreditation mark ,and we are immensely proud of our teams for their work and training in the area of diversity and inclusion.
Throughout 2024 and beyond, we remain committed to implementing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) practices. Below, we highlight the significance of Diversity & Inclusion Training, GSLS’s EDI initiatives, and our approach moving forward.
Importance of Diversity and Inclusion Training:
Promoting Equal Opportunities: EDI training helps team members and leadership understand the importance of providing equal opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. A focus on equality helps mitigate biases that might impact hiring, promotions, and other career advancement opportunities.
Improving Employee Morale and Engagement: Inclusive workplaces help individuals feel valued and respected. EDI training can create an environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and contributing to the organisation.
Meeting Customer Needs: In a globalised world, having a workforce that reflects this diversity can enhance an organisation’s ability to understand and meet the needs of a broad range of customers.
Reducing Unconscious Bias: Unconscious biases can influence decision-making processes, leading to unintentional discrimination. EDI training raises awareness about these biases and provides strategies to mitigate their impact.
Attracting and Retaining Talent: In a competitive job market, candidates often consider an organisation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when making employment decisions. Companies prioritising EDI are more likely to attract a diverse talent pool and retain employees who value an inclusive work environment.
GSLS EDI Background:
At GSLS, EDI is not just a tick-box exercise, it is at the heart of everything we do. GSLS is a female-founded company with a diverse staff profile from our most senior roles, right through the various teams, functions and levels of the organisation.
Our Board of Directors has gender and racial representation, while our senior management supervisor and operational management positions are 50% female-led.
We are proud to have over 26 nationalities represented at GSLS with a range of age profiles from 18 to 68 years old. Hiring a diverse range of people from all over the world and of all ages, has always been a priority for GSLS. We know very well that everyone has something different to bring to the table.
GSLS Investors in Diversity EDI Mark
Throughout 2023 we worked hard to ensure we were implementing the EDI mark framework to achieve the Bronze Diversity Award. This was done by partnering with a training platform to provide Diversity & Inclusion training, and our management team completed an Inclusive Leadership course.
Our managers and staff completed numerous courses including:
- You Belong Programme
- Women in Leadership Programme
- LGBTQI+ awareness
- Menopause Policy and Awareness
- Mental Health Champion
- EDI Awareness
We host regular talks for all staff on mental health wellbeing, inclusive language and LGBTQ+ awareness, bringing in a range of experts in their fields to facilitate.
The team celebrate Pride not only during Pride Month but throughout the year. We also host cultural showcases where our colleagues bring in different foods from their home country – this year alone we’ve had Brazilian, Mexican and Nigeran showcases. It’s an excellent opportunity to try local cuisines and learn more about our colleagues’ cultures.
Our Plans for the Future
In 2024 we remain committed to building momentum around Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. We continue to host a range of initiatives, workshops and cultural days, as we celebrate our differences together, to ensure each team member feels valued and respected.
