We recognise that building a diverse and inclusive workplace culture enhances relationships with stakeholders, improves client relationships, increases financial performance and strengthens reputation. We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential and individual differences are values and respected.

“Diversity” refers to all the ways in which we differ. It includes visible differences such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion, culture, sexual orientation, family status, appearance, disability and nationality. “Inclusion” refers to creating a work environment and culture where differences are valued, respected and leveraged. Everyone can learn, develop, contribute and achieve in the workplace.

Our commitment to recognising diversity and inclusion extends to all areas of the business including:

• Attracting, selecting and retaining employees

• Performance management and remuneration

• Employment provisions

• Flexible work arrangements

• Capability development

• Talent management and succession planning

• Governance and management.

We are committed to providing an maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees, sub contractors, clients and visitors; and to providing the information, training and supervision needed to achieve this.

We take responsibility for health and safety procedures. Each employee is encouraged to play a vital and responsible role in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace by being involved in the workplace health and safety system, being aware of hazards and taking steps to protect people from harm or stress. Employees are trained how to identify hazards and assess risks in the workplace, and how to use PPE properly.

The health and safety management system is formally reviewed and audited, documented and updated on a regular basis. The results, feedback, data and reports are compared against Align’s health and safety policies, procedures and the legislation to identify conformity and non conformity.

Our subcontractors operate under the same system as our employees to avoid duplication and to create certainty. We select our contractors based on capability, track record and fit with Align’s operating safety principles, and on their willingness to adopt and work to Align’s health and safety requirements.

We effectively communicate health and safety expectations for the best possible contracted outcomes. Subcontractors are required to submit reports and are subject to the same training and development as Align internal staff. Subcontractor health and safety performance is used in any considerations for future contracts.

We provide our people with 24/7 access to an independent, nationwide and confidential employee assistance provider (EAP). We enable our employees and managers to engage and function at optimal levels of productivity through ongoing well being. We work in partnership with our people and proactively support and resource them with:

• Employee assistance counselling

• Psychological services

• Professional onsite support

• Critical incident response

• Alcohol and other drug brief intervention

• Professional supervision

• Management coaching

• Education and training for well being and resilience

Any employees with personal or work issues can self refer themselves for professional employee assistance, or our managers can request support for employees. We also bring professionals into our offices to raise current personal or work issues. This allows employees to identify and explore these issues in greater depth ideally before they occur.

We also provide a two tiered flexi time system, which caters for individuals needs and the demands of different types of jobs. People can set their own standard weekly work hours (first tier) and can also agree time in lieu on a weekly basis (second tier).

We currently have bronze but are seeking gold EnviroMark accreditation under the Toitū Envirocare to demonstrate our commitment to the environment and sustainability. We already have several small initiatives in place, like:

• Paperless offices (Wellington)

• Lights off systems

• Recycling

• Ecologically friendly cleaning products

• Employee car sharing

• Composting (Wellington and Christchurch)

Our preference is to gain accreditation under a recognised environmental scheme. We believe participation in a well respected and recognised environmental accreditation scheme is essential, where an organisation’s claims are audited against an external standard.