Creating a great place to work

Creating a great place to work Employee Networks

Diversity and inclusion is key to creating a great place to work, where everyone feels they are being treated fairly and that they have access to the opportunity for a rewarding career.

HMRC has 65,000 employees from all walks of life, in locations all over the UK. Our six diversity networks are vital in helping our people get the support they may need, as well offering them the opportunity to shape policies and practices to support everyone across the organisation.

How do our Networks work?

Each network is championed by a member of our Executive Committee. Our champions support the networks and make sure diversity is a core part of decision making at the highest levels of the organisation. They are open to everyone in HMRC, and are a great way to learn more about others, and celebrate our diversity.

Carers Network

Some of our colleagues may find it hard to combine caring responsibilities with their career. Our Carers Network offers support and advice to carers and their managers, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the subject, and promoting a supportive and inclusive environment.

For example, our Carer’s Passport enables carers and their manager to discuss and record flexibilities needed to combine caring and work. We also offer support in several practical ways, such as salary advances to cover nursery and childcare costs, alternative working patterns, special leave allowances, and career breaks.

Here’s what members have to say:

"Being a member of this Network has helped me appreciate that others too have concerns regarding their elderly parents and it has encouraged me to discuss the matter with my manager – whereas before I would have felt embarrassed."

Our Carers Diversity Champion is Poli Stuart-Lacey, Director of Communications.

Disability Network

HMRC is a Disability Confident employer. We are committed to providing access to a full range of rewarding career opportunities for everyone. Our Disability Network gives support and advice to colleagues, promotes awareness of the many kinds of disability, and holds the Department to account on disability issues. This means everyone can become ‘disability confident’ when dealing with colleagues and customers.

We provide reasonable adjustments to support colleagues with a disability or a health condition, including mental health. This includes Disability Adjustment Leave and specialist IT equipment so that everyone is able to carry out their role effectively.

We also have trained mental health advocates in each of our location and have dedicated wellbeing and reflection rooms in our buildings, so that colleagues can take time out if they need to.

Here’s what members have to say:

"Being a Network member has helped me to understand disability issues and how together we can make a difference. I use assistive technology and enjoy carrying out ‘end user tests’ on new applications, forms and systems."

Our Disability Champion is Mark Denney, Chief Digital and Information Officer.

Our Wellbeing Champion is Angela MacDonald, Director General of Customer Services Group.

Gender Network

Whether you are a new or experienced parent, it may not always be easy to find the right balance between your life and work responsibilities. The Gender Network offers support and advice to colleagues and raises awareness of gender-specific health issues across the department.

We offer family-friendly policies such as alternative working patterns, flexible working and job sharing. We are continuously working on improving gender balance in HMRC and were recognised in the Times Top 50 Employers for Women in 2019.

Here’s what members have to say:

"The Gender Network played a big part in HMRC being listed as one of the top 50 employers for women."

Our Age and Gender Diversity Champion is Esther Wallington, Director of Human Resources.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Network

HMRC is recognised as a Stonewall Diversity Champion. Our LGBT+ Network PRISM is for employees at HMRC who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans or describe themselves as non-binary or part of the wider gender spectrum. We also warmly welcome anyone who is interested in playing an active role in helping create an inclusive organisation.

Our PRISM role models are easily recognisable by their distinctive rainbow lanyard; they’re there to challenge inappropriate language and behaviour and act as a discrete and confidential ‘listening ear’.

Here’s what members have to say:

"This network has introduced me to people who have had similar experiences to me and understand where I’m coming from. Knowing I’m not alone is so empowering." – PRISM Network

"Being a member of the Trans community of interest has helped me develop my self-confidence. I really feel I can achieve something new." – PRISM Network

Our LGBT Diversity Champion is Alan Evans, General Counsel and Solicitor.

Race/BAME Network

The Race Network plays an important part in building an organisation that is representative of the diverse communities it serves. The network is open to all HMRC employees and offers support, advice and a mentoring scheme. It provides a safe environment where colleagues can discuss diversity issues. There are regular events across our locations, which are a great way to get together to learn more about each other, and celebrate our diversity.

We also have an EU Nationals Network, created to support colleagues affected by the UK leaving the EU. It offers events and networking opportunities as well as links to relevant guidance on areas such as residency and citizenship.

Here’s what members have to say:

"The network has helped my personal development. I was given the opportunity to lead on communications, which is not an opportunity I would get in my current role."

Our Race Diversity Champion is Penny Ciniewicz, Director General, Customer Compliance Group.

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