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Award recognition for creating a more inclusive place to work

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Trish Sunga Trish Sunga Australasia Press Office,Sydney
5 July 2021

Arup in Australia has received national recognition for its commitment and sustained efforts to create an inclusive workplace. 

Region Arup co-Chair Kerryn Coker said the Bronze award at the Australian LGBTQ Inclusion Awards is testimony to the proactive approach the firm and its people are taking to ensure everyone feels valued, respected and able to thrive. 

The award is based on the results of benchmarking through the annual Australian Workplace Equality Index and the Health and Wellbeing Equality Index. These are rigorous and evidence-based tools that annually assesses workplaces for the progress and impact of LGBTQ inclusion initiatives.

“

This year’s results show tangible improvements in not just what we do, but how our people feel. Authentic inclusion comes with a combination of initiatives and culture, and we are on a trajectory to evolve and do more. ” Kerryn Coker Kerryn Coker Co-Chair, Australasia Region

Kerryn acknowledged changes being made through the Arup ConnectOut groups, led nationally by Brad Harvey-Fiander.  

“With increased leadership advocacy, we are getting more traction and making important policy changes – we recently launched the Gender Affirmation Guide – and this was reflected in our improved scores.” Brad said.

Brad Harvey-Fiander at Arup's Sydney office Brad Harvey-Fiander at Arup's Sydney office
“We are all responsible for a healthy inclusive workplace culture.” Brad Harvey-Fiander

“Other steps included partnering with SBS Broadcasting to share stories of lived experience and ally support, and as a result, we have more people stepping forward as allies. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive and we celebrate those allies who go above and beyond,” he said.

“In terms of daily life at Arup, everyone is expected to live up to standards of respectful behaviour, and bystanders are actively encouraged to call out any actions or language that don’t meet these expectations. We are all responsible for a healthy inclusive workplace culture.”

Brad said ConnectOut groups have also been more visible, for example, taking part in Midsumma Pride March for the first time.

Arup colleagues walking down the street holding an Arup sign coloured with decorative heart motives at the Midsumma Pride March Arup colleagues walking down the street holding an Arup sign coloured with decorative heart motives at the Midsumma Pride March
Our people participated in this year’s Midsumma Pride March in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Melbourne
“

When people join Arup, whether as a graduate or a senior consultant, we want them to feel they are welcome and belong, engaged and included. ” Brad Harvey-Fiander Brad Harvey-Fiander ConnectOut portfolio leader and Diversity & Inclusion Executive Committee member

“The results give us solid feedback on our areas of strength and key areas for improvement,” Brad said.

Arup globally supports LGBTQ equality and inclusion and has made firm-wide inclusion commitments. Similar to the firm in Australia, Arup has benchmarked its policies and practices against national rankings in other countries. In the US, it satisfied all the criteria on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index,  and in the UK, Arup was awarded bronze in the National Inclusion Standard.