E.R. Williams wins fairness, inclusion and respect award

Bill Williams (Jnr) (Contracts Manager at E.R. Williams), Ruth Walton (Company Secretary at E.R. Williams), Michael Evans (Company Development Adviser, CITB), Lindsay Williams (Office Manager at E.R. Williams), Bill Williams (Contracts Director at E.R. Williams)

E.R. Williams, a Rochdale painting and decorating firm, is the first to win an award promoting fairness, inclusion and respect in the construction industry.

E.R. Williams (Painting Contractors) Limited won the Construction Industry Training Board’s (CITB) Be Fair award. It is a new industry accreditation to show tha a construction firm is putting equality and diversity at the top of its agenda.

E.R. Williams worked with Liverpool based company Constructing Equality Ltd, which provided assessment and support to help the painting and decorating firm gain the award.

The Be Fair award is given to companies who create a workplace where all employees feel valued and supported. This can include improving the work-life balance for employees, reducing staff turnover and make advances with corporate social responsibility.

Michael Evans, Company Development Adviser at CITB, said: "We are delighted to present E.R. Williams with an award recognising the tremendous results it has achieved. The company has made a big effort to ensure it is a great place to work for all – and now we want other firms to follow their good example."

Bill Williams, Managing Director of E.R. Williams, commented: “We are extremely proud to achieve the bronze level of the Be Fair framework and to play a part in CITB’s FIR strategy for delivering cultural change in the industry. It cements our long term relationship with CITB and ensures that fairness, inclusion and respect are considered in every aspect of our business.

“By becoming a Be Fair Employer we have highlighted to the community that our workplace is fully inclusive and that we encourage people from all backgrounds to join us.”

The achievement follows the company being awarded the Investors in People accreditation in 2013.