Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives
Our ongoing DE&I initiatives include:
- Talent Acquisition: We have updated recruitment protocols to ensure fair and unbiased hiring practices.
- Training: Providing ongoing and compulsory training programmes for our employees on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Sharing Concerns: Facilitating a way of safely sharing concerns, issues and feedback.
- Engagement: Engaging with over 10 external DE&I focused organisations such as Disability Action NI and Autism NI to understand best practices, guide our initiatives and support employees.
- Supportive Toolkits: Working with expert external bodies to create supportive toolkits which aim to raise awareness and understanding in various areas such as menopause, domestic abuse and working carers.
All initiatives are aligned with our internal policies on equal opportunity and dignity at work which ensure that every employee has the opportunity and support necessary to develop their full potential. Our policies outline our zero-tolerance approach to bullying or harassment and to discrimination in any form, including on the basis of age, disability, gender or gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Almac Group partners with Reach Out and Read at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Reach Out and Read is a national, award-winning early literacy intervention and access programme, enabling physicians and nurse practitioners to distribute books directly to patients during milestone visits.
This year, Almac was pleased to announce that we have funded the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) award-winning, national Reach Out and Read programme serving the Primary Care Practice based in Souderton PA for one year, effective April 2024.
Almac’s backing allowed Reach Out and Read at CHOP to procure 6,000 books to be distributed by medical providers in Souderton to all patients ages newborn to five during well-child visits. These books are used as a developmental surveillance tool by the healthcare provider during the visit, and a springboard for conversations with parents about the importance of reading aloud, all while building home libraries for children no matter their financial resources. Books are carefully selected by the programme to reflect the specific patient population of each primary care location that it serves, including a wide variety of cultural backgrounds.
The employees at Almac’s Pennsylvania facilities volunteered their time to help prepare over 1,000 books for the inaugural book delivery.
Almac supports SistersIN
SistersIN is a Northern Ireland-based charity committed to empowering young women and addressing gender disparities in society. Their flagship SistersIN programme aims to support female leaders of tomorrow by creating an ecosystem in which 16-17 year old girls can grow in confidence, discover their potential and unlock new possibilities for their professional journeys.
Almac continued its support of the SistersIN programme as a Growth Partner in 2023-2024, with ten senior leaders from across the business providing mentorship over a four-month period to sixth form girls from schools across Northern Ireland.
The students also visited Almac’s Craigavon facility to spend time with their mentors and learn more about the Almac business. The programme culminated in a celebration event in Belfast, attended by the Almac mentors and members of Almac’s Outreach and Talent Acquisition teams.
Working Carers Network
At Almac, we support our carers through our Working Carers Network Group. Over the past year, this initiative has experienced significant growth, with our group in Craigavon almost doubling in size, driven by programmes such as Carers Week, which focus on building awareness, as well as our ongoing classes and resources available to the group throughout the year.
Our Working Carers Networking Group provides a platform for our working carers to connect, share experiences, learn from experts, and engage in enjoyable activities. Additionally, our Working Carers Toolkit offers a clear understanding of what it means to be a carer, raises awareness about caring responsibilities, and guides carers to available support resources.
