In both my role as Director of Scholes and in my work as the Vice President of ICAS, I have tried my best to champion the role of women in the workplace, at home and in every level of society generally.
With International Women’s Day coming up, it seems only appropriate to write a short note on the subject with special reference to what we, at Scholes CA, are doing to mark the occasion.
Our ongoing project with Women’s Aid Orkney
Let me start by saying that this is a cause of which I am particularly proud.
We formed a partnership with Women's Aid Orkney to address domestic abuse, with a focus on creating a supportive work environment and a safer community.
As part of this collaboration, next month employees from all our branches will undergo specialised training to recognise signs of domestic abuse, giving them the skills to offer initial support.
The training will cover sensitive communication and referral to professionals.
It will be open to all levels of staff – not just managers and directors – and the plan is to have the entire business covered by at least one or two employees who can help vulnerable women.
We have also implemented a domestic abuse policy at Scholes, outlining resources for employees and access to external support.
Our plans for International Women’s Day
On the day itself – 8 March – we plan to shed light on the incredible contributions that women have had at Scholes and on a broader societal level within Scotland and beyond.
We will be shedding light on two particularly impressive individuals within the firm – Kayleigh Tipper and Sandra Tulloch – whose contributions to Scholes CA cannot be overstated.
(More to follow closer to the date!)
It’s not just about rhetoric, however, and we plan to carry on championing equality throughout the year.
Within ICAS, I am working hard to promote social mobility and access to accounting education across society, with a particular focus on those who are disadvantaged in some way.
Whether that’s due to their ethnicity, gender and sex, or their socio-economic status – I believe, as do all at Scholes CA, that education and the ability to succeed should be open to everyone.
To learn more about our efforts for social equality and mobility, please don’t hesitate to email me directly at: karen.scholes@scholesca.co.uk
