Everyone belongs: Building a connected workplace

How does a geoscience graduate evolve into a Technical Director leading one of engineering's most transformative workplace initiatives? We sat down with Janice Tam, Technical Director at AtkinsRéalis, to discover how her journey from civil engineering to championing the Everyone Belongs program has shaped not just her career, but an entire company culture.

With over 20 years in civil engineering and three transformative years at AtkinsRéalis, Janice offers a unique perspective on how workplace belonging translates into real business impact. Her story reveals the power of small gestures, meaningful connections, and the courage to create change from within.

From foundation to leadership

Janice's path began with a solid foundation in Geoscience and Civil Engineering, where she earned both her degree and MPhil. "This foundation sparked a passion for infrastructure development that has driven my career for over 20 years," she explains. Throughout her journey, she has worked on multidisciplinary infrastructure projects, each contributing to her growth as a professional engineer.

Her transition to AtkinsRéalis three years ago marked a pivotal moment. Joining as a Technical Director in geotechnical engineering, her role quickly expanded beyond technical leadership to encompass project management and people development. But perhaps most significantly, her involvement in the Everyone Belongs initiative opened entirely new perspectives on collaborative teamwork.

What everyone belongs really means

When asked about the Everyone Belongs initiative, Janice's enthusiasm is immediately evident. "Everyone Belongs is about celebrating our differences, practicing compassion, and cultivating genuine connection," she explains. "The core objective is creating a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute meaningfully."

The initiative emerged from a vision to move beyond simply promoting balanced workplace practices to embedding collaborative teamwork into daily practices. "It reflects our belief that varied perspectives and backgrounds are essential for innovation, resilience, and sustainable growth," Janice notes.

Measuring what matters

Success in workplace belonging initiatives can be elusive to quantify, but AtkinsRéalis has developed concrete metrics. "We measure success through employee engagement, participation, and feedback," Janice explains. "Improvements in team collaboration, retention, and the overall sense of belonging are key indicators of impact."

These measurements help the company continuously enhance its approach, ensuring that initiatives remain relevant and effective rather than becoming mere checkbox exercises.

Moments that matter

One experience particularly stands out in Janice's memory, a networking event held for International Women in Engineering Day. "During the session, both junior and senior female engineers shared their personal journeys and challenges. It was a meaningful moment of connection and empowerment."

What struck her most was seeing the strong representation of women in their Hong Kong office, especially in a traditionally male-dominated industry. "It highlighted the real impact of our Everyone Belongs efforts," she reflects.

The art of small gestures

Creating belonging doesn't always require grand gestures. Janice emphasizes the power of everyday actions: "We focus on small but meaningful actions, such as distributing treats and flowers, organizing workshops, and showing care to young professionals and colleagues from varied backgrounds."

These gestures might seem simple, but they nurture a culture where everyone feels seen, appreciated, and supported. It's proof that building belonging is as much about consistency as it is about strategy.

Employee-driven change

The Everyone Belongs initiative succeeds because employees are at its center. "Their participation, feedback, and advocacy help shape and sustain our collaborative culture," Janice explains. "We encourage everyone to get involved, share ideas, and support one another."

This bottom-up approach ensures authenticity and sustainability. When change comes from within, it tends to stick.

Looking forward

Janice's vision for the future centers on continued support for career development across varied backgrounds and disciplines. "By fostering individual growth, we empower our people and contribute to the company's success and the development of a resilient community."

Future plans include enhancement of both technical and personal development opportunities. "By offering targeted training, valuable job experience, and well-being support, we can help employees discover their career paths and grow alongside the company."

The ripple effect of belonging

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of Janice's approach is her belief that belonging starts with everyday actions. "Collaboration starts with how we treat each other daily. Employees at all levels can contribute by being open-minded, respectful, and supportive."

She emphasizes that listening, acknowledging varied perspectives, and uplifting one another are the most effective ways to build genuine workplace community. It's a reminder that while initiatives and programs matter, the real work happens in countless small interactions throughout each day.

Your next chapter starts here

Ready to write your own story of professional growth and meaningful impact? AtkinsRéalis is building teams that solve tomorrow's challenges today. Explore opportunities where your unique perspective can contribute to groundbreaking infrastructure projects while being part of a culture that truly values what you bring to the table. Discover your next career move and join a company where belonging isn't just an initiative, it's how business gets done.