Colleague networks and groups
At Ofcom we have in place several networks to support colleagues.
The networks allow colleagues to connect and share their experiences, as well as raising awareness of particular challenges we face across the organisation. All our networks are run by colleagues.
The Affinity Network is here to support, connect and advocate for LGBT+ colleagues. We also welcome allies. It’s run by colleagues from across the organisation. The Network is an ally to Ofcom to advance progression for LGBT+ colleagues. It’s important to make sure that all LGBT+ colleagues are comfortable at work, whether they want to be 'out' in the office or not.
We are dedicated to making sure that Ofcom honours its commitment to diversity and inclusion in regard to all LGBT+ matters and colleagues. We take an active role in advising on policies and practices within Ofcom which impact on LGBT+ people. We escalate any concerns LGBT+ colleagues have around experiencing inclusive environments in Ofcom's workplace and support colleagues to speak up or speak on their behalf.
Our overarching goal is to further the interests of LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace. Underpinning this, we have three main objectives:
- Support: Support the personal and professional development of LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace.
- Connect: Provide a forum for LGBT+ colleagues and allies to socialise and network internally.
- Advocate: Raise awareness of issues affecting LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace (as well as those affecting LGBT people more broadly in society) and address these where possible, including where relevant through dialogue with Ofcom.
The Faith Network is open to people of all faiths and none across Ofcom and we aim to have open, honest and supportive discussions to enable all of us to bring our whole selves to work.
As well as creating space to talk honestly about faith, we represent religion and belief within the organisation and raise awareness of issues affecting us and our communities. We love having a supportive community of many faiths, being able to voice our own experiences and learning from each other.
Our SOUND Network is about:
- supporting colleagues who are having direct experience of living with a long-term condition, illness or disability, including those colleagues who are neurodiverse.
- encouraging opportunities for colleagues to have open conversations about aspects of disability and neurodiversity.
- increasing understanding across the organisation about neurodiversity and disability for colleagues with and without lived experience of long-term conditions, neurodiversity and disability.
- supporting the wider objectives in the Diversity and Inclusion Strategy for inclusion and representation both internally within the organisation and through our regulatory work.
Ofcom Women’s Network (OWN) aims to serve the collective needs of all women at Ofcom, both transgender and cisgender, as well as non-binary and gender non-confirming colleagues. In practice, this means:
- connecting our members with individuals and resources to support their development and wellbeing.
- empowering women to achieve their full potential, and allies to support women in the workplace.
- inspiring all colleagues, including OWN allies, to promote gender equality at Ofcom and to challenge behaviours and actions contrary to this aim.
We also seek to provide a safe space to discuss issues affecting women and non-binary people in the workplace.
We are an inclusive network: all colleagues – of all gender identities and levels in the organisation – are welcome to participate.
Supporting parents and carers within Ofcom.
Our Parents and Carers Network aims to support colleagues with childcare or any other type of caring responsibilities.
Sometimes we all need a bit of extra support from someone who understands first-hand what we are going through. The network helps facilitate this by providing an informal support network to share experiences and better support our colleagues, as well as offering access to relevant resources.
Representing all colleagues at Ofcom, but particularly those from a minority ethnic background.
Our mission is to promote the principles and practices of diversity in the workplace and help Ofcom to create an ethnically diverse workforce.
RACE is a colleague network created to discuss and address issues that may affect colleagues from an ethnic minority background. All colleagues, regardless of their ethnicity or role within Ofcom, are able to join the network and participate in our initiatives.
RACE is here to help Ofcom become an even better place to work for all colleagues through our promotion of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The RACE network has three objectives.
- Raise awareness of the network and our work to address issues affecting colleagues from ethnic minority backgrounds in the workplace.
- Work with the wider community to have a positive social impact through mentoring and volunteering schemes.
- Encourage the personal and professional development of RACE members.
We are an interest group for all and any colleagues who care about making Ofcom the fairest place to work it can be. We want to take positive action to make it possible for people from all socio-economic backgrounds to thrive at Ofcom, and to make sure that Ofcom’s work benefits people from different classes and backgrounds. We aim to:
- influence Ofcom’s internal culture;
- engage with Ofcom as an employer on areas like inclusive recruitment; and
- advocate for social inclusion to be at the heart of Ofcom’s work as a regulator.