Commercial
laundries commit to re-balancing the gender and racial ratios
“The numbers speak for
themselves – in commercial laundries, on the shop floor, the gender balance is
50:50. At board level it’s 80:20, in
favour of men,” says Emma Andersson, membership manager of the Textile Services
Association (TSA), which represents commercial laundries. “The race ratio figures also are being
reviewed and we expect to see a similar imbalance.”
The TSA is launching a series
of initiatives designed to help re-balance the industry, to get more women and
BAME employees into management and board positions. The association has established a Diversity
and Inclusion working group. Its vision
is to change the face of the industry, pushing a more diverse and inclusive
approach, where balanced leadership is the new norm. Andersson is taking a leading role in the initiative. “By educating and empowering individuals we
can create an environment where everyone can thrive.”
The TSA is backing its concept
with action. At a recent Diversity and
Inclusion workshop, attended by directors and managers representing commercial
laundries across the UK, a series of tools and strategies were discussed that
could be initiated within their own organisations. The workshop was led by the CBI's head of diversity and
inclusion, Adeife Onwuzulike. Areas that
were considered included what language to use, unconscious bias, data
collection, and the need for leaders to engage in and encourage the
process.
“Over 70% of the industry was
represented at the workshop and the feedback has been 100% positive,” says
Andersson. “I am delighted that members
are on board with the initiative and acknowledge the action that needs to be
taken.”
Rebecca Morgan is head of HR at Johnson’s Hotel Linen and is on the TSA’s
Women in the Industry Group. She says,
“We at Johnsons Hotel Linen are proud to support the TSA’s project groups on
Women in the Industry and Diversity and Inclusion. The TSA has recognised
that, as an industry, we need to promote and encourage representation across
all levels of the business. We are keen
to fully support the Association on this journey.”
In other moves, the TSA signed
up to the CBI’s ‘Change the Race Ratio’ back in November 2020. Now the association is undertaking an
industry survey to get a proper understanding of the situation. Once that’s analysed, TSA will be using the
information to focus on areas where a positive change can be achieved.
At the upcoming TSA Conferences
and events there will be more focus on a diverse guest speaker programme, and profiles of
successful inclusion stories will be shared.
There will also be a drive to get women and BAME employees to attend, as
well as a campaign to encourage them to take part in training courses to
advance their careers and personal development.
“We have to acknowledge that
there is work to be done here,” says Andersson.
“These are the first steps on a long journey. But we are moving in the right
direction.”
For information on the
Diversity and Inclusion and Women in Industry initiatives, contact the
TSA.
The TSA is the trade association for the textile care
services industry. The TSA represents commercial laundry and textile
rental businesses. Membership ranges from family-run operations through to
large, multi-national companies. Visit www.tsa-uk.org
for more information.
Press Enquiries:
The
Publicity Works: 01263 761000; tim@publicityworks.biz
David Stevens, CEO, Textile Services Association,
T: +44 (0)20 3151 5600 M:
+44 (0)7966 531954 E:
david.stevens@tsa-uk.org