MOSL, the market operator for the business water retail market, has partnered with the Institute of Water (IWater) to produce a comprehensive equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) toolkit.

The toolkit supports companies to develop more diverse and inclusive workforces. For most of us working in the water sector, we know that the industry still has a long way to go in terms of EDI. Whilst the latest figures show improvement, still only 33% of the workforce is women, with further significant underpresentation of people from ethnic minority backgrounds – just 7% compared to a UK average of 13%.[1]

But what about people with disabilities? What about neurodiversity? What about representation from different age groups, sexual orientation and socio-economic backgrounds?

There are nine characteristics and forms of diversity that are protected by law. As an industry, we need to get better at strengthening our processes, including recruitment and retention, and building better policies that foster inclusive work environments and more open conversations about what EDI really means in practice.

The EDI Toolkit has been designed as an interactive resource to allow individuals and companies to understand more about diversity, including:

  • The different types of protected characteristics
  • The importance of allyship
  • The dangers of unconscious bias
  • The power of privilege and structural inequality
  • The impact of language and communication

Full of useful information, resource links, questions and exercises it can be used by companies both in and beyond the water sector as a framework for developing more diverse and inclusive cultures. It also points to toolkits developed in other sectors that delve into specific areas, e.g., anti-racism and social mobility.

EDI Lead and Chair of MOSL’s Diversity Society, Abu Rashid said “The toolkit came about working with the Institute of Water in holding the 2022 and 2023 EDI Conferences and recognising a gap in the industry. MOSL and IWater are both organisations passionate about diversity, equality and inclusion, but we recognise that it can often be really difficult to have conversations about race, gender, disability and other sensitive topics. A lot of people worry about getting things wrong. We hope this toolkit acts as a useful resource and tool for companies to have more proactive conversations in a safe environment and arm people with facts and context.

We encourage companies to dip in and out of the toolkit, use sections of it in discussions with their Boards and Senior Leadership Teams, put it under the noses of people not really interested in EDI – that’s how we can really start to make changes.”

Rose Shisler who sits on the Board of IWater commented, “"We are thrilled to collaborate with MOSL in launching the sector's inaugural Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Toolkit. At the Institute of Water, we champion inclusivity and recognise the importance of embracing diverse perspectives within the water industry. This toolkit represents a significant step towards fostering a culture of openness, understanding, and respect. By providing practical resources and facilitating crucial conversations, this toolkit helps to empower companies to drive positive change and create truly inclusive environments where everyone's voice is heard and valued."

The launch of the toolkit was announced at the joint MOSL and IWater EDI webinar ‘Privilege and Inequalities’ on 25 April with Abu Rashid and MOSL CEO, Sarah McMath, as speakers. You can find out more about the event on the IWater website.

To find out more about the EDI Toolkit, please visit the IWater or MOSL website or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Notes to Editors:

  • MOSL is the market operator for the business water retail market in England and Wales. Its responsibility at the heart of the market is to operate the central IT system (CMOS), provide oversight to the operation and performance of the market through the market codes and enable better outcomes for business customers.
  • IWater is a member organisation that provides a network for professionals working in the water industry. It advocates for the sector and to improve the environment and lives of its communities through events, mentoring and professional registrations.

 

[1] EU Skills Water Industry Profile 2023: https://www.euskills.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/water_2023_FINAL.pdf

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