Supporting women, one buddy at a time

The Monadelphous’ Buddy Program, designed as part of the company’s Gender Diversity and Inclusion strategy, is helping to create a supportive and inclusive workplace for women by connecting new female employees with experienced staff members.  

The initiative aims to ensure that new starters feel supported from their first day, providing them with a reliable contact to help navigate both the practical and social aspects of their role. 

Engineering Construction HR Officer Kate Ellis helped bring the program to fruition, making the workplace more inclusive for women.  

“It's about building connection and offering support, helping new female employees feel more at ease and integrated into the company by pairing them with experienced female colleagues,” Kate said.  

The program offers Buddies to new female employees, who assist with everything from understanding company processes to showing where key facilities are located and introducing them to social activities.  

The aim is to improve integration by giving new employees a go-to person to help them with any challenges they may face, particularly those unique to females entering a traditionally male-dominated work environment. 

“Buddies are there to support and guide new starters as they navigate these challenges, providing insights into building networks and long-term integration,” Kate adds. 

 “Building an inclusive culture starts from day one; the onboarding experience is one of the first opportunities to demonstrate our values and inclusion efforts. It sends a clear message to our workforce that we value diversity and support everyone's growth.” 

Buddies not only help new starters feel comfortable but also reinforce Monadelphous’ values and expectations. By providing guidance and answering questions as they arise, Buddies make the transition smoother for new employees.  

“Buddies provide an informal channel to exemplify and reinforce important messages about our values, culture, and day-to-day life with the company,” Kate says.  

They also assist with practical matters, such as explaining how things work on-site and encouraging participation in social activities. 

The program has already received positive feedback from employees.  

“We have had positive feedback saying that the program is working well. Some employees want more contact while others are more experienced within the industry,” Kate shares.  

She also highlights that some participants have expressed interest in becoming Buddies themselves for future intakes, reflecting the success and value of the program in helping women feel integrated and supported at Monadelphous.