As one of the latest in a long line of major organisations seeking to make their workplaces free of HIV stigma, we are delighted to welcome National Grid to the Positive Allies Alumni! National Grid worked hard to achieve the Positive Allies Charter Mark, led by our very own Russell Cutler, part of the Positive Allies Team.
As National Grid's Operations Manager, Richard Moor, states:
"National Grid are immensely proud to be one of the first employers to achieve the Positive Allies charter mark. Our National Grid Employee Resource Groups help build awareness and understanding of inclusion and diversity so that everyone can reach their full potential."
Excitingly, National Grid are the first energy company to achieve the Positive Allies Charter Mark, especially after hearing the story of their employee, Russell, who is living with HIV. As Richard Moore goes on to say:
"Having heard a lived HIV story within our organisation, our Positive Allies campaign became a joint working between our 'Enabling' (disability) and 'Pride' (LGBTQ+) teams. Our small team of Positive Allies are working to stamp out HIV stigma through creating conversations on HIV within the workplace and supporting those that chose to talk about their status at work."
This is a significant step for National Grid's inclusion and diversity strategy, as noted by their CEO, John Pettigrew:
"I fundamentally believe that it's our people that make National Grid such a great place to work, and ensuring that we create the right environment to allow everyone to be themselves and to thrive is essential."
Richard Moor also echoed this:
Achievement of this charter mark is recognition for the great work the Positive Allies team have done, but it’s also critical for National Grid to lead the way and be able to showcase that internally and externally as a FTSE Top 20 company we treat our people with respect.
National Grid are leading the way, and we ask all other energy organisations to follow their lead. Let's stamp out HIV-related stigma in all places of employment and volunteering. Do you want to apply next?