How diversity, inclusion and flexible working can supercharge your business

I’m delighted to be speaking at Manchester Tech Festival on the subject of “How diversity, inclusion and flexible working can supercharge your business” - a subject that is very important to me, and was one of the key reasons why I chose to work for Naimuri earlier this year.

My role at Naimuri is as an IT Consultant and Senior Software Engineer. I especially love Naimuri’s very collaborative and Agile ways of working, where teamwork is encouraged. It’s amazing for things like knowledge sharing and problem solving, as well as having a lovely sense of camaraderie on the team. Despite now being in the 28th year of my career, I’ve learned a huge amount during the past 5 months I’ve been working at Naimuri.

Where Naimuri really excels is their commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, flexible working, and wellbeing (including mental health). We have “Power Groups” (which any employee can join) focusing on D&I, Comms & Marketing, Wellbeing, Sustainability, and Naimuri Company Values. Our commitment to wellbeing includes offering lunchtime yoga sessions, and extra-curricular activities such as hiking, Games Night, and Art Club.

As a queer trans woman, working for a company where people are actively encouraged to be their authentic true selves is vital for me. I am also neurodivergent (I’m on the autism spectrum), and I’ve been very impressed with how Naimuri care for their neurodiverse employees.

Living on the other side of the Pennines from Manchester, flexible working is crucial for me too. I work a 4-day week (Naimuri being the only company I interviewed for who offered this option), usually with a day a week in the office, and the other three days working from home. For me, this is an optimal balance between in-person collaboration, and the quiet and focus of working remotely, whilst keeping the amount of commuting sustainable.

The 4-day week has been transformational for my wellbeing too - the extra time to recharge over the weekend has meant I’ve had far more energy and focus during the week than when working 5-day weeks in previous roles. I’ve also had more time to enjoy activities such as art, music, and visiting heritage railways with my partner.

Naimuri has also inspired me to grow in my career. I’ve recently become a Personal Manager, which will give me the opportunity to mentor other employees and help with their career progression, and I’m looking towards becoming a Tech Lead. Where Naimuri stands out here is the support and feedback they offer - something which is vital for me, as it helps ensure that I stay on the right track, and helps avoid impostor syndrome.