Equality, diversity and inclusion

Costain is an inclusive and family friendly employer: we are committed to tackling systemic barriers to create a psychologically safe workplace, where everyone has equal opportunities to reach their full potential.

We know that by being more diverse, we will be more innovative, have a greater understanding of our clients’ needs and will deliver smarter, more inclusive solutions.

Our goal is to have a workforce that is representative of society and our 2021 Inclusion Strategy sets out the actions we need to take to achieve our goal.

At Costain, we currently have six inclusion networks:

Disability and Wellbeing Network
LGBT+ & Allies Network
Parenting and Carers Network
Religion, Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage Network
Services and Service Families Network
Women’s Network

All employees are encouraged to join any of the inclusion networks as members of the represented group or as active allies. Our members and allies have an essential role to play in creating our inclusive and intersectional culture.

Group of award and recognition logos supporting EDI

Empowering Costain women

We were delighted to be named in The Times Top 50 Employers for women lists in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Being a part of the list for four consecutive years is recognition of the progress we have made to address gender equality in the workplace.

Costain is a signatory to the Women in Rail’s EDI Charter, the Inspiring Women in Construction Pledge and the Menopause Workplace Pledge. In 2022 we launched our Menopause Plan, to provide our employees with access to a dedicated menopause GP and ongoing support.

The Costain Women's Network celebrates, supports and connects women, whilst advising on the attraction, progression and retention of women in the business.

Addressing Costain’s race disparities

As part of out commitment to the Business in the Community (BITC) 2020 Race at Work Charter, Costain has published its Ethnicity Pay Gaps in 2022 , which we will continue to in order to measure our progress.

In 2020, Costain was one of the first fifty signatories to the Change the Race Ratio. Our pledge commits us to creating an inclusive culture in which talent from all diversities can thrive. This includes increasing racial and ethnic diversity among board members and senior leaders.

The Costain REACH Network promotes, values and celebrates diversity by connecting employees of difference cultures and backgrounds.

Including all of the LGBT+ spectrum

Costain is a Stonewall Diversity Champion and regularly submits to the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index (WEI). In 2022 we were awarded Silver Employer status.

The Costain LGBT+ and Allies Network aims to support colleagues who identify as LGBT+, educate allies on LGBT+ inclusion matters and connect out colleagues across the organisation.

Removing barriers for people with a disability, neurodivergence or long-term health condition

Costain is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to becoming a Disability Confident Leader by the end of 2023.

We are a signatory to The Valuable 500 and member of the Business Disability Forum.

Our Disability and Wellbeing Network aims to create an inclusive workplace, free from the barriers imposed by society on people with a disability, health condition, or who are neurodivergent, whilst raising awareness amongst both Costain staff and supply chain.

Supporting our parents and carers

We promote dynamic working for all, recognising the support this gives to parents and carers, as well as empowering employees to manage their wellbeing.

Our family leave procedures and policies are inclusive and apply to all partnerships. In addition to statutory parental leave, we offer enhanced company maternity, paternity and shared parental leave.

Costain is a member of Working Families and is regularly assessed against their Top Employers Benchmark.

Our Parenting and Carers Network offers support to anyone that may be facing the challenges of being a parent or carer, or both. They actively raise the profile of flexible and dynamic working, so that people can be allowed the space for taking care of their loved ones.

Connecting our services and service families

Costain is a supportive employer of reservists, veterans, service leavers and their families. In 2021, we re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant showing our commitment to supporting the employment of service spouses and partners, and we have recently achieved a Gold Award with the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Costain works closely with BuildForce, to recruit ex-service personnel, and provides flexibility in granting leave for partners or forces members before deployments and offering additional paid leave for military training.

The Services and Service Families’ Network purpose is to create an inclusive and supportive community for those connected to the military or emergency services and prevent any member from ever feeling isolated.