Wednesday June 10th 2026
Inverclyde Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Inverclyde Council has renewed its commitment to a national initiative aimed at promoting greater diversity in the workforce and tackling violence against women.
The local authority is again taking part in the Equally Safe at Work accreditation programme run by the charity Close the Gap.
Over the next 12 months, the council will devise a range of activities and develop policies and practices with the aim of renewing its status as an Equally Safe at Work accredited employer.
Inverclyde Council chief executive Stuart Jamieson and depute council leader Councillor Natasha McGuire have welcomed the renewed commitment.
Mr Jamieson said: “The council is committed to progressing gender equality in the workplace, and this programme provides the tools to take this forward to make meaningful changes for our employees.
“The council will ensure that the changes we make are sustainable and will work to embed this programme throughout the council. The changes will be consistently reviewed to ensure they continue to reflect the needs of Inverclyde Council and our employees.”
Between now and May 2027, the council has pledged to undertake a number of activities to progress gender equality and better support victim-survivors of violence against women.
This includes reviewing the flexible working policy, looking at recruitment and progression practice, and holding awareness-raising sessions.
Councillor McGuire said: “Closing the gap has and continues to be a priority for Inverclyde Council.
“There is no need in 2026 for there to be such stark experiences for employees based on gender: whether that be pay or representation at all levels of the workplace.
“Gender equity benefits everyone and it is important that council employees feel safe and supported in the workplace.
“It is important that we take an approach that recognises women have different experiences in life and throughout their employment journey which is shaped by multiple, intersecting inequalities and discriminations that overlap to create different levels of inequality for them.”
The Equally Safe at Work programme will enable Inverclyde Council to develop initiatives and practice that better reflect the needs of all its employees and support delivery of the Council’s Corporate Equality Outcomes 2025/29.
Two of these outcomes aim to address aspects of gender and employment:
Outcome 4: Increase the diversity of the Council workforce
Outcome 5: Improve the economic prospects of people who are furthest from the Labour Market including young people, older people and disabled people.
The council was previously given bronze accreditation for Equally Safe at Work in December 2023.
To find out more about Equally Safe at Work, visit www.equallysafeatwork.scot.
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