Employee led groups

Our MAPD Steering Group supports the strategic direction of our vision and is made up of senior representatives across the business and the Chairs of our MAPD Working Groups. Since we launched our vision to Make a Positive Difference (MAPD) in 2019, we’ve introduced a wide range of initiatives to support our ambitions. In the past year this has included joining the United Nations (UN) Global Compact to support the delivery of the UN Sustainable Development Goals; launching our Customer Vulnerability Framework and Customer Care Charter; launching our MAPD-led customer propositions; achieving our annual net zero reduction targets; becoming the first water retailer to sign up to the Race at Work Charter; delivering over 1,000 community support hours; and partnering with SAMH to roll out mental health training to our people managers. You can find out more by reading our latest Sustainability Report here.

Our vision at Business Stream is to provide a great place to work where our colleagues feel trusted, valued, supported and empowered, irrespective of their background or role. We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace that welcomes and promotes diversity and provides equal opportunities for all. In the past year we’ve rolled out Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) training to all our people managers; launched our ED&I awareness raising programme; made enhancements to our recruitment process to encourage and promote diversity; and invested in additional support for colleagues including creating our dedicated quiet room and ensuring we do more to support our remote workers.

The charity panel meet regularly to organise and run events to raise funds for our charity partners who are the Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH), Macmillan Cancer Support and Marine Conservation Society.

Activities include annual fundraising bake sales, local beach cleans and quiz nights.

Our Wellbeing and Engagement Group is there to support a healthy, happy and engaged workforce. To support this ambition, we’ve introduced a wide range of initiatives that target the four wellbeing pillars – mental health, physical health, social wellbeing and financial wellbeing. Initiatives include investing in an Employee Assistance Programme, providing 24/7 free, confidential advice and support to our colleagues and their families; paying over the Real Living Wage to all colleagues; offering free financial planning sessions; training colleagues to be mental health first aiders; running regular employee engagement events and exercise challenges; and providing all colleagues with access to a free 24/7 gym and subsidised catering.

Our Wellbeing and Engagement Group support on our wellbeing goals by running different colleague engagement events throughout the year including sponsored walks, quizzes and providing healthy treats to colleagues.

Our employee forum is made up of colleague representatives from across the business, including members of our management team and trade union representatives. The forum provides an opportunity for our colleagues to have a say on what’s working well and where we can make further improvements as a business. It also provides an opportunity for members of our leadership team to consult with colleague representatives on any organisational issues or business developments that may impact colleagues at work. Topics that are covered include colleague benefits, new or amended policies, senior management activities, facilities and services, our annual engagement survey and general employee concerns or queries.