Employee-led networks are exactly that; networks set up by colleagues of Carnival UK. They have the full support of the business, but ultimately they are by colleagues, for colleagues.
At the moment there are three employee-led networks championing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at Carnival UK. Athena is a network designed to promote gender balance, Spectrum is the LGBT+ & Friends network celebrating the diversity of colleagues and championing the LGBT+ community, and m’power is for disabilities and health conditions.
Click on the logos below to find out more:
Each network was created and designed by colleagues; they aren’t HR initiatives. All network leaders are there because they have a passion for DE&I, not because they’ve been hired for the job.
We’re incredibly lucky to have fantastic support from Carnival UK for our networks. Whether that be guidance from our leaders, provision of business resources, or colleague support with planning, volunteering and event attendance, our networks are valued for their contribution to belonging and inclusion at Carnival UK.
What do the networks do?
Our networks exist to develop the inclusive culture of Carnival UK.
Networks enable employees to share and understand the lived experience of one another by providing a platform to raise awareness, learn new insights and celebrate the diversity of people within our business.
Networks promote opportunities for support and guidance and influence the business to make the right enhancements that will make Carnival UK travel’s employer of choice.
Our end goal is for the business to have DE&I so ingrained in its culture that there’s no need for networks at all! We recognise that we’re not quite there yet so our role is to help drive this cultural shift.
We’re all supported by our line managers to devote time to our networks. There is appreciation that this will take up time in our working week and it’s recognised that this is valuable work from which colleagues and the business will benefit.
How do I get involved?
Whether you can relate to the demographic of a group or not, we encourage everyone at Carnival UK to be a part of the networks. Allies are incredibly important to us and the business will benefit from everyone having their say and taking the opportunity to be part of the inclusion agenda. To get involved you can:
- Attend events – look out for details in the Weekly Update and on The Insider
- Join our Facebook groups: Athena @ Carnival UK and Spectrum @ Carnival UK
- Sign up to receive emails from us – email Athena@Carnivalukgroup.com. Spectrum keep in touch with colleagues via Facebook, but if you want to contact them directly, email LGBTnetwork@carnivalukgroup.com.
- m’power are a new network, still setting up their profile details. Until they do, you can email the network leads directly:
Networks not for you? Think again!
This Ted talk by the Athena and Spectrum Network leads (filmed during National Inclusion Week 2019) gives a great overview of how employee-led networks help drive DE&I at Carnival UK.
Anyone can set up a network and give a voice to a group you would like to represent. You’ll have a budget to ensure you can do meaningful work and will receive support from Karen Price, our Inclusion and Engagement Manager, to help get you started. Contact Karen if you’re interested in setting up a network.