Valuing difference

Arriva aims to acknowledge, understand and value differences in people, whether customers or employees. Not only does this make for a progressive working environment, it gives us a competitive advantage when it comes to recruiting our people and serving our customers.

We take a structured approach to making this abstract concept a reality in our business.

Management

To set our aims and monitor progress towards them, we have a Diversity Committee and Diversity Best Practice Forum. Committee members include senior managers from across our businesses who meet regularly and report to the Board annually.

Training

We have taken a phased approach to diversity awareness training.

• Stage one: We delivered 'Valuing and Managing Difference' training to managers across the group. The training showed business leaders how to take action to help all Arriva employees to be successful at work.
• Stage two: The Arriva Approach to Diversity was cascaded to front-line employees. First we trained the trainers, through a programme called 'Managing and Welcoming Difference'. Ninety employees from across the Group were shown how to run workshops which encourage discussion and debate around diversity.
• Stage three: Around 4,500 employees have attended these workshops called 'Valuing and Welcoming Difference'. They continue to be held for front-line employees and new recruits.

Working with external organisations

'Opportunity Now' and 'Race for Opportunity' are UK business-led campaigns that work with employers to realise the business benefits that women and ethnic minority groups can bring as part of the workforce.

Working with these organisations helps us to benchmark our workforce mix across the UK and mainland Europe. Arriva was recently named as one of Business in the Community's top ten overall performers in the Race for Opportunity Awards.

Arriva across
Europe

View a Flash interactive map of our operations across Europe