Inclusion and diversity

A welcoming environment where you can belong and be inspired to deliver great customer outcomes.

Being an inclusive workplace is core to achieving our purpose. Our people are respected, part of something, and given opportunities to grow - whatever their background, identity, or circumstances.

Providing award-winning customer outcomes starts with each and every member of our team feeling able to bring their best. Here are some of the ways we achieve that.

In our member-led organisation, every employee makes a difference. Our people tell us they experience that sense of personal fulfilment and impact every day, whether that's through working in the community or supporting our customers over the phone, email, or in branch.

We have great teams and a deep-rooted belief in the principles of mutuality that we can all achieve more when we come together, whatever our backgrounds.

Our Facilities Team litter picking in Newbury as part of our volunteering scheme.

We want our people to share their thoughts and experiences, knowing that a breadth of perspectives can create better outcomes for everyone.

That’s why you’ll find us taking steps to proactively create a place where different voices get heard, celebrating key dates and campaigns such as Pride, International Women's Day, Mental Health Awareness Week, and World Food Day each year.

Celebrating Pride 2024 with views from employees across the business.

 

From a hybrid working policy that supports you to work in a way that suits your needs, to caring policies and Mental Health First Aiders, our culture of inclusivity is underpinned by policies and practices that celebrate our differences.

Wokingham branch celebrate 'Wear It Green Day' for Mental Health Awareness Week 2024.

 

As a small organisation, we're able to focus on our employees as individuals, supporting them wherever we can to help them be their best, whether that's through mentoring, additional learning and development, flexible working, and more.

Newbury Building Society pick up the Treating Customers Fairly Champion award at the 2024 British Bank Awards

Customer excellence is at the heart of everything we do, and it starts with our people. Whether you contact us online, pop into a branch, or give us a call, you’ll always be able to speak to a real person. It’s one of the reasons we recently won the Treating Customers Fairly Award at the British Bank Awards 2024.

Learn more about our commitment to our customers here.

Some ways we nurture our inclusive culture:

  • Recruiting with differences in mind – we collaborate with partners to attract talent with different life experiences, ensure hiring processes are inclusive and accessible, and select candidates based on their ability to meet the needs of the role.​

  • Inclusion and Diversity Working Party sponsored by senior leaders.​

  • Strong focus on employee wellbeing with our Employee Assistance Programme, Cash Health Plan, Mental Health First Aiders, Menopause Cafes, and wellbeing guides.​

  • Supportive policies such as flexible working and enhanced parental leave.

  • Measuring fairness and equity, identifying where we can improve further. We seek voluntarily disclosed employee Equal Opportunities data and explore relevant questions in our employee survey.​

  • Educating and challenging our thinking, Society-wide. This includes external training for our Board and Executive Team to shape our understanding and ambitions, as well as accessible learning modules for all employees.​

  • A range of employee listening channels including our formal employee survey, employee feedback forums, discussion sessions between our Executive team and employees, and various ad-hoc opportunities to provide views, opinions and ideas.​

  • Employee volunteering initiatives that support a wide range of local organisations and provide opportunities to broaden perspectives.​

  • Training to better understand and support vulnerable customers, such as We Support Deaf Awareness. ​

  • A Community Support Scheme which provides financial support to causes such as Newbury Pride.​

  • Internal campaigns to highlight, celebrate, or raise awareness of different groups and experiences.

Careers home Employee stories Available roles Learning and development
We are proud of our employee experience and continue to measure and improve it...

Our employees rate their relationships with colleagues 96% positive. ​

96% of our employees feel their work is important and they can see the value they contribute to our success.​

95% attest that people in their team help and support each other.​

81% say without hesitation that they really feel that the Society cares about their wellbeing.

Leading what matters​

Our board and Executive Team champion inclusion and diversity throughout our organisation.

Our Board statement:

  • Diverse workforce: We value individuals with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. By encouraging different ways of thinking, we can deliver better outcomes for our customers.

  • Accessible recruitment: We collaborate with partners to attract talent with different life experiences. Our recruitment process is designed to be accessible to everyone no matter their background.

  • Respectful environment: We maintain a respectful workplace where each person is recognised and appreciated for their personal contribution. This creates a culture where everyone can prosper and perform at their best.

  • Listening and acting: We actively listen, reflect, and act in the best interests of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

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You can check the Financial Services register on the FCA's website.

Contact

How can we help you?

01635 555700

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