Did you know that 1 in 5 people are neurodivergent? That’s a significant proportion of any workforce. It’s so important for businesses to continual strive to be neuroinclusive.
As an employer we celebrate differences and value the opinions of all our staff. In order for us to create an inclusive, safe and happy space for our workforce, we’re proud to be able to make decisions based on a unified voice through our internal people and community forum; a safe space for staff to discuss matters around EDIB, mental health and staff welling, charity, community and the environment, so that as a business we can incite positive change.
However, whilst equality, diversity, inclusivity and belonging are integral to our culture here at Baltimore Consulting, but we know that there is always more to be done internally. It’s a continual work in progress; we don’t claim to be the best, but we are not standing still, and we make every effort to improve. For us, it isn’t a tick box exercise.
Creating safe spaces and empowering voices
At Baltimore Consulting, we want everyone to feel empowered and take charge of their own journeys – we want our people to advocate for themselves and what they need in order to thrive.
In order to do this, it’s incredibly important to ensure that employees feel comfortable, understood and safe.
We place a great deal of important on wellbeing. From creating silent spaces and breakout areas in our office space, to enhancing our mental health and wellbeing plan to include 6 mental health first aiders and improving our flexible working opportunities. We also give employees one-hour every week to utilise for health and wellbeing purposes, as well as offering Wellbeing Wednesdays (giving staff an hour off throughout the day to do whatever they need to do to decompress) and Feel Good Fridays where they all have the opportunity to work a 4-day week.
Additionally, we believe that through continual personal development, we can become the best versions of ourselves. We offer all employees a two-hour personal development window every month so that they can upskill themselves, whether that be through undergoing additional training, attending a webinar and an event, listening to a podcast, or reading a book. We understand that everyone is different, and one size doesn’t fit all.
For example, our CEO, Charmaine Vincent has just completed her Asperger’s Syndrome and Autism Awareness course, furthering her skillset to better support people with ASD to navigate the workplace, whilst our Director of people has completed a course on understanding Autism, Asperger’s and ADHD through the University of Derby.
Baltimore Consulting are also proud to be a part of the Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) initiative; a Government scheme that helps us to build a better workplace for Neurodivergent employees and support Neurodivergent people to navigate independent, fulfilling careers.
World Autism Awareness Day is a day for us to shine a spotlight on the discrimination and barriers faced by those with ASD across all sectors of society, through raising acceptance, demonstrate the benefits of being neuroinclusive, celebrate contribution and empower neurodivergent people to overcome challenges.
Our employees continued health and wellbeing, both mental and physical are extremely important to us as a business – without them, Baltimore Consulting simply wouldn’t exist, let alone be successful. As a business, we are not afraid of showing vulnerability, encouraging all staff to show up authentically and in turn, proving that you can create a reputable, profitable business, without cutting corners and leading with your heart.
We’re proud to be different; it’s in our DNA.
