Are you open about your faith at work?

Hello from both of us! We're Ramsha, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer, and Abdus, a Graduate Project Manager at AtkinsRéalis in the UK. We belong to our Faith employee resource group (ERG). It's a self-started staff network acknowledging people's diverse faiths and beliefs. The ERG promotes embracing and celebrating everyone's faith or belief in the organization.

In our joint blog, we share how our Faith ERG enhances inclusivity at AtkinsRéalis, spotlighting our vibrant Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

"Our Faith ERG helps us cultivate an environment where staff of all faiths and beliefs can have confidence in themselves and feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work."
—Ramsha

Marking Eid al-Fitr: A reflection of our inclusive spirit

AtkinsRéalis offices across the UK recently hosted vibrant Eid al-Fitr events, marking the end of Ramadan with joy and festivity. Eid al-Fitr, the festival of breaking the fast, is a significant occasion for Muslims worldwide—a time for reflection, gratitude, and joyous celebration.

Our teams pitched in to make it brilliant

It was great to see the organization's support. We received funding from our Project & Programme Services (PPS), Aerospace, Defence, Security & Technology (ADST) teams, and the Faith ERG. OneWorkplace caterers helped place food orders, set up, and book office space.

Promoting understanding and inclusivity

In the lead-up to this special day, the Faith ERG and the Muslim community organized a Pre-Ramadan Awareness webinar, which provided invaluable insights into Ramadan's profound significance. The webinar offered employees a deep dive into this holy month's fasting experience, spiritual practices, and community-focused aspects. This initiative enriched understanding and promoted a workplace culture of inclusivity and respect.

Eid unites AtkinsRéalis offices across the UK

Come Eid, AtkinsRéalis offices in Epsom, London (Nova North), Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, and Peterborough transformed into hubs of celebration. Festive ornaments adorned the spaces, creating an atmosphere of joy and togetherness. Attendees were treated to a delightful array of traditional foods, including mouth-watering baklava and samosas, generously provided by dedicated volunteers and Oneworkplace.

The turnout was remarkable!

What stood out was the great attendance from the employees and the diverse crowd. Around 200 people joined the festivities in the Epsom and London (Nova North) offices. It was great to see how people were interested in learning more about Ramadan/Eid and how they could support their Muslim colleagues. The events featured a fun and competitive quiz on Eid traditions. The quiz winners walked away with fantastic prizes, adding extra excitement to the celebrations!

"I was impressed by how wide-scale the celebrations were and how well everything was organized."
—Attendee, London

The overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees underscored the success of the events. Our volunteers' hard work and dedication shone through, making the occasion truly unforgettable.

"I loved the food and the hospitality. Overall, from many perspectives, it was a huge success!"
—Attendee, Cardiff

An environment of unity and understanding

Celebrating such important religious and cultural events allows people to feel more comfortable showcasing their religion at work and not feel they need to hide it. These occasions enable everyone to bring their authentic selves to the workplace, enhancing personal and professional growth. When employees are welcome to practice their faith at work, they can learn how to support people of different beliefs. This creates a friendly and collaborative workplace and encourages people to come into the office.

"In embracing diversity, we not only celebrate our differences but also strengthen our collective spirit, making AtkinsRéalis a place where everyone can thrive."
—Abdus

Learn more about how "Different Makes a Difference," our equality, diversity & inclusion programme at AtkinsRéalis.