July - Challenging Age Perception Month
At Hachette UK, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture that respects and values diversity and, once again, we are delighted to be sponsoring this month’s campaign for Challenging Age Perceptions. This initiative is particularly important for us as, working with our AgeWise Network, we are proud to continue our aim to create a multi-generational business, championing Age diversity in all areas of our business.
The AgeWise Network actively raises awareness of the value of intergenerational working to the company, both internally and externally, and is a platform to empower and assist employees of all age groups. Through this network we encourage open dialogue, mentorship and professional development, highlighting the crucial point that in order to thrive, the publishing industry must be as diverse as its readers.
At Hachette UK, we understand the significance of implementing policies that support our workforce composed of individuals from various generations. Our age-inclusive policies such as flexible working arrangements and support for menopause, address the specific needs of our older employees, ensuring they have the necessary resources and assistance to excel. We actively promote a culture that values wisdom, experience and knowledge, nurturing talent at all stages of a person’s career journey. We recognise that the insights and experiences gained over time, greatly contribute to innovation and growth. Our aim is to foster an environment where everyone feels heard, respected and included.
We hold ourselves actively accountable and continuously strive to enhance the representation and inclusion of older workers. This involves targeted recruitment efforts that actively seek out older candidates, ensuring our hiring processes are free from age bias. We run a number of intern programmes for those returning to work, or looking for a career change. The aim is to attract older people into publishing at entry level, by giving them the opportunity to learn about the business from the ground up.
Recently, Hachette UK has been selected as one of the Times Top 50 Employers for Gender Equality for the fifth year running, demonstrating our commitment to driving a more equitable, inclusive world. Last year, we launched our Accessibility Policy which sets out a framework to support and empower colleagues with disabilities and long-term medical conditions. Additionally, we collaborate with external organisations and partnerships that share our commitment to age diversity, working together to challenge age stereotypes and promote the value of an intergenerational workforce.
Hachette UK takes pride in being an employer that fosters age diversity in our workplace culture. We invite you to join us and VERCIDA in celebrating and commemorating this awareness month by Challenging Age Perception.
Kim Kidd
Diversity & Inclusion Manager
Hachette UK | Changing the Story
July Month Highlights
July Month Highlights
- Thurgood Marshall’s Birthday 02/07/2024
- Dalai Lama’s Birthday 06/07/2024
- Muharram New Year (Islam) 07/07/2024
- Martyrdom of the Báb (Bahá’í) 09/07/2024
- World Population Day 11/07/2024
- International Non-Binary People’s Day 14/07/2024
- World Youth Skills Day 15/07/2024
- International Justice Day 17/07/2024
- Nelson Mandela International Day 18/07/2024
- South Asian Heritage Month Begins 18/07/2024
- Asalha Puja 21/07/2024
- Dharma Day (Buddhist) 21/07/2024
- The Three Weeks (Work permitted, except Shabbat)
(Judaism) Starts 23/07/2024 - St James the Great Day (Christian) 25/07/2024
- Americans with Disabilities Act 26/07/2024
- International day of Friendship 30/07/2024
AgeWise Network
AgeWise Network
The AgeWise Network celebrates our intergenerational business and works to ensure that the over-50s have proper representation in training, benefits, development, recruitment, and promotion.
More than 300 people at Hachette have participated in Espresso Mentoring
Espresso mentoring is a one-hour one-off confidential mentoring session (over Teams or IRL) open to anyone at Hachette. Whether you would like to learn more about a different area of the business or talk to a more experienced colleague to help you with your career path, it is a great way to build confidence and contacts.
The responses from those who have already taken part say it all:
‘I thought espresso mentoring was absolutely brilliant’
‘I found the session really helpful and it left me feeling really inspired and motivated’
‘Fantastic . . . led to great opportunities and a great long-term professional relationship for me’
‘I loved it! It’s so great to be able to have an informal chat and learn from someone with more knowledge and experience in the industry’
‘It was an excellent match and really valuable for me’
‘It was particularly good being matched with someone from another part of the company as I felt I had more freedom to talk about my career, concerns, ambitions and so on without judgement’
Articles
Articles
Co-Chairing Hachette UK's AgeWise Network
The AgeWise Network was set up at Hachette UK in 2018 by Lennie Goodings and Fiona McIntosh in order to promote the value of an intergenerational company and to ensure that the interests of an older and maturing workforce were properly met.
Wisdom and Wonder: Intergenerational Writing
Veronica Henry, renowned for her multi-generational fiction since her debut Honeycote, has shifted her focus to older characters as she turned sixty. Here she talks about her evolving perspective and the inspiration behind her latest novel.
Midlife Magic: Siobhan's Global Odyssey
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