Iris

Building from our DE&I strategy ‘FOR THE FREE’, launched in 2020, 2021/2 was the year we got behind Iris Women – making sure we were a place where women wanted to work, felt supported and thrived.

Fuelled by research, and keen to support diverse needs, we progressed in the following areas: Fertility/Parent initiatives, including new policies (e.g. extended parental leave, menopause policy, fertility treatment policy), progressive flexibility including core hours and a partnership with Fertility Matters at Work. Better support for physical and mental wellbeing, with subscriptions to WithU, mental health first aiders and a partnership with Stonewall. Taking steps towards increased diversity, focussing on ‘forward’ recruitment, addressing pay discrepancy and understanding issues such as neurodiversity. In a campaign led by some bold, brilliant and ambitious females, it’s no surprise women ‘feeling supported’ at Iris has risen from 52% to 86%, women comprise over 60% of our new recruits and we have bold targets for 2023, looking for 50% representation at HoD and Board level. We have a packed calendar of speakers, events and discussions internally, and women have never been more visible, supported and celebrated in our 22 year history.