Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Bring your difference to Version 1
We’re proud that our differences make us unique; we embrace and encourage them.
We hire for your potential, give you world-class training and trust you to make an impact – and we know that having teams that are filled with different people, is the recipe to our success. Our inclusive environment means always challenging ourselves and others to do better for each other and our customers, committing to excellence and not making excuses – which results in a workplace where everyone feels included, heard, and can truly be themselves.
Version 1 seeks the best person for every role – this means the person whose skills and potential best match the job and who can best further our Mission and live our Core Values, whilst not compromising their own. We have a wonderful variety of people and cultures across our organisation, and we look to celebrate that in all we do!
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging is embedded into the core of our organisation, and as such we ensure that equal opportunity is present in our recruitment practices. We do not stand for any discrimination based on gender identity, race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic. Bringing your difference makes a difference at Version 1; and we encourage you to do so.
Gender Equality
Cultural Awareness
Unconscious Bias
About Version 1's Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Team
The Mission of Version 1’s Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIBs) team is to create a diverse workplace where our differences are accepted and we feel that we belong. A key focus area recently has been around belonging.
Diversity is difference and difference is difficult. Many people worry whether they fit in at a new place, but belonging unifies people. While we will continue to celebrate key events like Diwali and International Men’s/Women’s Day, we want to go deeper and have a bigger impact at Version 1 – focusing on belonging benefits for all.
When organizations succeed in creating a culture of belonging, the upsides are enormous — higher employee engagement scores, an enhanced talent brand, lower attrition, fewer sick days, improved productivity, better communication, and teams that fire on all cylinders in terms of innovation and collaboration.
Our DIBs Motto:
The Motto of our DIB Team is: “Bring Your Difference“. This was inspired by our very own people. Driving innovation in all areas of a customer’s business on a daily basis is something that Version 1 people have always been known for. Every day, we are amazed at the level of innovation and commitment to problem-solving displayed by our consultants across hundreds of customer sites and projects. The range and capability of technology today is truly amazing but without our great people, nothing would happen. They bring their differences together to make differences for all.
Version 1's DIBs Accolades:
- Named a Best Workplace™ UK for Wellbeing 2023
- Certified Disability Confident Employer in the UK
- Accredited with Investors in Diversity Silver mark by the Irish Centre for Diversity
- Named a Best Workplace™ Ireland 2023 for Women by Great Place to Work®
- Microsoft Ireland Partner of the Year 2023 Winner - Social Impact
Our Commitments and Goals
To support our DIBs goals and support Version 1’s ESG strategy, we will ensure that we…
- Drive a data led Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging strategy:
- 100% of hiring managers will be trained on Inclusive Recruitment policies
- 90% of staff to have completed at least one DIBs learning module by 2023
- Empower our diverse voices across regions through Inclusive Practices:
- Have each DIBs regional team host 2 events per year
- Host 4 company wide DIBs events
- All staff to be encouraged to embrace #SWAN initiative in email signatures during Induction
- Develop and Nurture our Company wide Women in Tech:
- 80% of our women to participate in one WIT activity each year
- Our organisation is made up of 40% women by 2025
How we will achieve these:
- Drive a data led Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging strategy:
- Enhance our data collection to gain a better understanding of our demographic make up
- Reflect and review our recruitment practices to ensure we are attracting diverse candidates to all our roles
- Implement a suite of DIBs learning modules to ensure our recruitment practices are conducted in an inclusive manner
- Empower our diverse voices across regions through Inclusive Practices:
- Host a wide arrange of DIBs events to help share our lived experiences and continue our education
- Promote our #SWAN initiative internally and externally to promote of belief of true authentic belonging
- Empower our DIBs regional teams to have their voices heard and develop a greater understanding across our different cultures
- Develop and Nurture our Company wide Women in Tech:
- Through our inclusive recruitment, attract and recruit more females into our organisation
- Review and adjust our internal processes for talent progression to promote our women internally
- Nurture and environment in which our women are recognised internally and externally through marketing and awards
Women in Tech
As part of our ESG strategy, we have our own page that celebrates our incredible Women at Version 1. To find out all they have been up to, head to the link below
Women in Tech at Version 1Recent DIBs Initiatives at Version 1
We are delighted to share that we are officially Disability Confident Committed in the UK. Disability Confident is creating a movement of change, encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain and develop disabled people.
Being Disability Confident is a unique opportunity to lead the way in our community. Read their website below to learn more about the Disability Confident scheme.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar year and the most important month in the Lunar Calendar to Muslims. 2nd April to 2nd May provides Muslims an opportunity for self-purification and reflection on spirituality. This year, we celebrate with a Charity Fast to show our support, as one of the key aspects of Ramadan is fasting both from a physical and spiritual level. We also educated our workforce on the importance of Ramadan for our Muslim employees and our very own Zahid Anwar (OCM ACE) and Mohammed Qureshi took time out of their busy day during Ramadan to create this insightful video into their lives.
Watch our Team's Ramadan Video
Each year we host our biggest ever LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebrations at Version 1! 🏳️🌈 Throughout the month of June, we encourage our people to show pride in who we are, to reflect on how far things have come and where we still have work to do. We celebrate our differences as well as what we have in common, creating a place where our employees can feel that they truly belong. Check out our blog below for more information on our most recent Pride campaign.
International Women's Day cam shortly after we were certified as one of Ireland's best places to work for Women in 2022 by Great Place to Work!
To celebrate we our first Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Manager, Chloë Gillard, to learn more about the challenges of growing a diverse and inclusive workspace, and how you can overcome them.
In February 2021 we launched the #StartsWithaName charter and dedicated website, recognising the role of a person’s name as a unique expression of identity that is to be respected, valued, explored and celebrated within an inclusive society. Signing the charter encourages organisations to learn to say each other’s given or chosen names properly, even when it pushes us outside of our cultural norms and comfort zones.
Sign the Charter
At Version 1, we seek the best person for every role. That’s why working at Version 1 offers many opportunities for career development, with many of our employees learning new skills and going through rotations during their time with us. Within this blog, learn from interviews with several of our people on their Version 1 journey to date, and how rotations throughout the company have played a big part in their career progression.
Read Now
Since launching our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Programme, one of Version 1’s key focuses has been to increase the number of women working here. With this in mind, we asked 10 female members of our team from various locations to share their favourite experiences at Version 1, including what they love about working here.
Read Blog Now
Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year. It is underpinned by a strong belief in kindness, the power of peace and on giving to those in need. Our teams lit candles and created some innovative Diwali Rangolis to celebrate. Our colleagues from our Pune Office, Shweta Jain & Sameer Sant, also recorded an insightful video explaining Diwali, the stories behind it and what it means to them.
In recognition of Black History Month Honey-Bell Oke from our team took part in a panel discussion talking about the Amplifying Black Voices in NI Tech, a Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging event sponsored by Version 1. Honey-Bell also did an insightful interview with Sync NI chatting about her positive experiences working at Version 1 and the importance of fostering a sense of belonging for all.
Read Article on Sync NI
We have an array of fantastic opportunities available on our UK Digital & Cloud Solutions team at present, so we decided to ask the team why anyone should join a career in tech alongside them. Featured fantastic female talent from across our offices, this video campaign, linked below, provides great insights and tips for anyone looking to join Version 1.
Watch Now
Version 1 continues to be named as a Best Workplace for Women. This award recognises organisations that have been able to put practices and programmes in place to build their pipeline of female talent and convert that pipeline into opportunities for growth and development. We are proud to continuously develop a diversified great workplace culture for all.
Learn More about GPTW for Women
