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Last updated: 25 November 2008
A deputy director in the Cabinet Secretariat works from home one day a week, using a work computer and a broadband connection. This flexibility is great for him because it allows him to share some of the childcare responsibilities with his wife who also works, for example by taking and collecting his children from school/nursery.
Stuart Moore joined the Corporate Diversity Strategy Team in 2005. Stuart has a speech impairment, so had always experienced a lack of self-confidence in the workplace, especially in meetings and when giving presentations. To develop his confidence and his knowledge of equality law and administration, Stuart went on a mini-secondment to the Office for Administrative Affairs in Stockholm. During his visit he met with people from various equality organisations and the Swedish Parliament (Riksdag); gave an interview to an equality magazine; and gave a presentation to a large audience on equality in the UK. Stuart found this a great learning opportunity and has used this experience in his leadership of the Cabinet Office Disability Network (DisCO).
‘By starting early, I am able to compress my working hours and spend one afternoon a week at home looking after my three-year-old twin daughters. This assists greatly with childcare arrangements, especially as my wife has recently returned to full-time working.’ Alistair Clyde, Intelligence and Security Secretariat (ISS)
‘This benefits the team too. Alistair’s early arrival extends the time my team is available to deal with crises – particularly valuable on a day like today when there were indications overnight that Pakistan might declare a state of emergency and we needed to check our sources.’ Richard Tilbrook, ISS, Alistair’s line manager
‘My mum is going into hospital next week – I was able to get a work laptop, and get trained in time, and will be working from my parents’ house in Essex two days a week for the next three weeks. This means that I can be at home to help while she recovers, which is obviously good for me and my mum, but I am still able to do my work – which is obviously good for the Cabinet Office as I can provide cover while some colleagues are on leave.’ Anisha Punchihewa, Economic and Domestic Affairs Secretariat
‘Some months ago when I was doing project work for HR, I was asked if I could arrange for a few members of HR staff to attend a seminar on Islam and its dress code. The question of the ‘veil’ and the ‘hijab’ was very much in the news then and I felt it was time to dispel some myths. After some research, I arranged a presentation on Islam and its dress code, which was really well received. This led me to think that awareness is needed for other faiths as well and I’ve arranged presentations on Islam, Sikhism and Baha’ism – all running to capacity audiences. I feel this programme of multi-faith awareness is helping the Department achieve a truly inclusive culture.’ Mohinder Alg, Social Exclusion Task Force
Katherine Fisher and Justine Csaky job share in the communications team here at the Cabinet Office – working three days a week each and therefore overlapping on one day. This allows them to fulfil caring responsibilities they have, and the overlapping day means that they can keep up to date with what each other is doing and provide a seamless service to those they work with and for. They have also set up a part-time and job-sharers’ network across government, for people in the Government Communication Network. One of their aspirations is for people to be able to find job-share partners.
In March 2007, the Cabinet Office Black and Asian Network (COBAN) organised a ‘Diversity of India’ event. The team in charge of planning and delivering the event was drawn from a cross-section of units, with backgrounds from different regions of India and a common passion for raising awareness of their heritage. The allocation of roles and responsibilities meant that team members could improve or develop specific skills not normally used or demonstrated in their day job. The event consisted of colourful displays on interesting and relevant topics about India, Indian dancing, food from different states, and high-profile guest speakers – including Baroness Prashar, Kamalesh Sharma (the Indian High Commissioner) and Pat McFadden (then Minister for the Cabinet Office). All those who attended felt that they had learnt something about India, and the event was short listed for the Cabinet Office diversity award.