Building a successful Gender Equality Network at ONR

Alex Pitsillos, a safety inspector at the Office for Nuclear Regulation, is the driving force behind the organisation’s Gender Equality Network, which was lauded in a parliamentary report for the positive difference that it has made in its workplace.

Here, the Prospect rep talks about the circumstances that led to the creation of the network, how it has been embraced within ONR and her advice for others who wish to start their own network.

Alex Pitsillos, ONR

The murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer as she was walking home one evening in March 2021 sparked national outrage and, tragically, highlighted the fears and dangers that are faced by far too many women.

It was a case that touched a raw nerve for many but for Alex Pitsillos, a nuclear safety inspector, it was also the catalyst to bring such issues into the workplace spotlight.

“It became obvious that Sarah Everard’s murder had affected people across the Office Nuclear Regulation, and it really affected me. People were angry about it,” Alex says.

“I was chatting with my friend and fellow Prospect rep, Eamonn Guilfoyle, who suggested that we run an event on gender bias and how that affects us as colleagues and to raise awareness of that.”

It was out of this event that the ONR’s Gender Equality Network was established in June last year, and Alex agreed to be its chair.

They now hold regular committee meetings to discuss how they wish to take things forward and have put on several events that wider ONR colleagues are all invited to attend.

“We ran an event with Prospect organiser Rob Lauder around equity and inclusion issues, and we’ve worked recently with our domestic abuse workplace champions to raise awareness about domestic abuse and violence.

“More widely we’ve identified a number of issues that we want to address within ONR and things that we want to challenge them on, such as inclusive language guidance.”

To that end, Alex is now on several ONR working groups to ensure that equality in all its forms, not just gender equality, is more generally embedded across the organisation.

“I’m very well aware that gender equality is not the only issue,” she says.

“Clearly, we want to be a safe space for all people to come and raise their issues. I’ve told colleagues in ONR, ‘please come to me if you’ve got any issues and I can raise them with senior management.’ It doesn’t just have to be gender issues.

“Sometimes, it’s difficult to challenge senior managers, but I’m willing to be that person.”

ONR support

While Alex is prepared to ask difficult questions of management, she is also the first to admit that they have also been highly supportive of the Gender Equality Network and many senior managers have attended their events.

“When I’ve had to challenge some behaviours, various senior leaders in particular have been very concerned about the cases that I’m bringing to them and quite passionate about wanting to change it.”

In fact Sarah High, the ONR’s deputy chief executive, joined Alex and her colleague Cathy Collins at an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion event run by Prospect in September 2022, where she praised the relationship between the network and management.

Praise for ONR’s Gender Equality Network has come from further afield too.

The rapid success of the Network in achieving everyday wins on issues that were making life harder for female staff, led to it being recognised in a Parliamentary report (the Post Implementation Review) on ONR.

The report recommended that management continue to work with the Gender Equality Network to support its efforts to create an environment where women can excel.

“It’s good to be recognised. I think sometimes you feel like you’re not doing enough or you’re not really achieving anything,” Alex says.

“Obviously, in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t make a great deal of difference to gender equality or equality in general, but hopefully it makes people realise that things are being done.”

Building on the network’s quick and early success, Alex already has an eye on more areas for the future where they can continue to make a difference, such as micro-inclusions, allyship and on inclusive language.

Prospect

Alex also credits Prospect with how the union has supported the Gender Equality Network with resources and any help, or advice, that’s required. As well as Rob Lauder helping with events and webinars, Sue Ferns, Prospect’s senior deputy general secretary has also attended their meetings.

“It shows that Prospect has a real focus on equality, and they are usually my first port of call if I need anything. No question is too small, or too big. To have that support is fantastic.”

In return, Alex has also given a presentation on equality at some Prospect events.

What advice would she give to others who might want to start their own equality network in the workplace?

“I didn’t go about it in any structured way. At that first gender bias meeting people decided they wanted a network, so I started one with some likeminded colleagues.

“The network is staff led but I think ONR is happy with the results – everyone benefits from it. Just be brave and go for it!