British Land has some fantastic employee networks that have been happily operating for several years, established by people within the business. But we’ve never pulled them all together. That’s really changed over the past few weeks as all our networks collaborate to provide a comprehensive virtual package to support each other during this lockdown period.
As soon as we made the early decision that everyone who could, should work from home, we knew that keeping people connected and motivated was really important – both to help them work and to provide a support framework where we can.
People are understandably feeling nervous and uncertain about all sorts of things. We’ve got colleagues who live on their own, who don’t have family in this country, who are worried about vulnerable loved ones, or vulnerable themselves. For some people, our networks are now more important than ever. Others may have everything they need, but we’re here if that changes.
My role, as the Executive Committee sponsor of our networks, is to bring them all together, hearing their brilliant ideas and then figuring out a varied programme that offers everything from ways to entertain you and your loved ones at home and virtual pub quizzes, to online speed mentoring and support with volunteering.
We’re seeing participation in some networks growing and more dynamic, informal interaction between members, including new chat groups and online portals where colleagues are asking questions and sharing ideas and experiences. It’s interesting and encouraging to see how our networks are helping people form new social connections while social distancing.
Living up to our values
The networks are doing a good job of bringing to life our values, which at their core focus on listening and being thoughtful about what people need. This is reflected in how we’re supporting both our people internally, and externally with our customers and communities.
A flavour of what’s happening
As you’d imagine, our Sports and Social Committee is highly motivated to keep people entertained. We now have a weekly British Land virtual pub quiz, which is lots of fun. Other activities have included Easter bonnet competitions and a package of online gym sessions – if Joe Wicks isn’t enough for you! One idea we are working on is a virtual ‘staff through the keyhole’, responding to our natural curiosity as to the interior décor of our colleagues…!
With the home schooling transition, Parents and Carers Network members are sharing materials they’ve found useful for kids of different ages, via an online portal. They’ve also come into their own in supporting carers. My own mum’s been enjoying Royal Opera House performances after they posted links to all the theatres offering free streaming.
Our Women’s Network is launching a virtual speed mentoring programme, matching mentors and mentees online, which I’m looking forward to. Ultimately this is something that we want to offer to customers too. We are already helping campus networks hold virtual events for customers, working with our property teams who have long standing relationships at our places. There’s been positive feedback about the first online session for customers run by our Mental Health Network at Broadgate, facilitated by us and involving one of our longstanding community partners.
Our Wellbeing Committee is focused on volunteering, working closely with our community team and incredible local partners. We’ve always done a lot of volunteering and we’re now turning that into a virtual service. This includes telephone befriending and the NHS volunteer programme. British Land has long offered all colleagues up to four days of paid time off work for volunteering each year.
Our enaBLe Network marked Autism Awareness Day by sharing information about our collaboration with the charity Support Dogs, which is making an impact on the lives of people with a range of disabilities, including those living with autism.
BL Pride Alliance promoted Trans Day of Visibility, highlighting how people are experiencing discrimination even in this period of isolation. They also showed wonderful photos sent in by staff of their rainbow window displays.
With faith and religious holidays taking place during lockdown, such as Ramadan, Passover and Easter, our Ethnic Diversity Network is organising virtual celebrations to support colleagues. They’re also sharing recipes from different cultures and ethnic backgrounds for people to enjoy.
I’d like to think at the end of this, as we look back, we can be proud of our response, and know that we’ve done our best to support each other during these difficult times. This will be hard to measure – but we’ll know it when we see it.