Aberdeen City Council has retained its bronze award accreditation from Scotland’s national policy and advocacy body working on women’s labour market equality, for its work on addressing gender inequality and violence against women.
The Equally Safe at Work programme, developed by Close The Gap aims to support employers in reviewing workplace culture and ensure that policies and practices are enhanced to address the barriers that women face at work.
Councillor Neil Copland, the Council’s Staff Governance Committee Convener, said: “I’m delighted that we have retained our status as an employer which prioritises tackling gender inequality and violence against our female workforce.
“The safety, health and wellbeing of all our staff is one of highest priorities and this programme plays a pivotal role in achieving these aims.”
Vice-convener, Councillor Gill Al-Samarai, said: “It is vitally important that the Council, as one of the city’s biggest employers, set the standards in eradicating gender-related bias and violence in our workplace as part of our overarching ambition to make Aberdeen a place where everyone can prosper irrespective of their circumstances.
“We will not be resting on our laurels though; ultimately our aim is to achieve gold accreditation and we will work tirelessly towards that”
The Council’s commitment to Equally Safe at Work is formalised in a public statement signed by Co-leader Councillor Christian Allard and Chief Executive Angela Scott. The programme involves a series of activities aimed at improving employment practices and policies, ultimately creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment.
Using an evidence-based approach and leadership commitment, Aberdeen City Council is continually engaging with staff to understand their experiences in the workplace and ensuring policies and procedures are reviewed to meet the Equally Safe at Work standards. The Council also raise awareness of gender inequality and violence against women in the workforce through training, development and targeted interventions.