Virgin Media O2 develops best-in-class employee paid-leave policies using Equity Sequence®

Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) were early adopters of Equity Sequence® and have become dedicated champions. Their case illustrates how real, material change is possible when Equity Sequence® earns leadership buy-in, is applied as an integral tool to influence policy design and decision-making at every level, and unites diverse stakeholders to build a movement across an entire organization.

VMO2 began their Equity Sequence® journey in 2019 after receiving feedback that unconscious bias training (UBT)—however informative—was not driving the kind of behavioural change they wanted to see in their organization. That’s when Equity Sequence® was brought to the attention of Chief Operations Officer, Jeff Dodds—described to him as a cutting-edge concept in DEI thinking.

Initially uncertain what to expect, Jeff quickly realized the potential impact of Equity Sequence® as an “architecture through which you make decisions.” As he puts it:

“What I found in those five questions was something incredibly thought-provoking. It made me really reflect on some of the big decisions we take in our business and whether they’re constructed with equity in mind.”

Since adopting Equity Sequence®, the company has taken its practice well beyond the learning stage. It has been embraced by VMO2 board members and c-suite alike and has become an integral part of their governing structure. In the process, they have transformed the way they make decisions as an organization, across all ranks. And the impact to-date has been enormous. (cont.)

In 2022, VMO2 introduced a suite of best-in-class employee paid-leave policies, together with cost-of-living payments specifically designed to support their lowest income earners during the cost-of-living crisis in the UK. These were developed using Equity Sequence®.

Not only were these EQUITABLE INNOVATIONS welcomed by employees; they were applauded by the company’s unions, allowing VMO2 to avert a strike—an outcome one of their major competitors failed to avoid.

VMO2 has since expanded its cost-of-living initiatives, extending broadband eligibility and affordability to some 9.7 million customers—many often excluded from internet access—as part of an ongoing commitment to tackling data poverty.

Virgin Media O2 are proof positive that Equity Sequence®, applied with commitment and consistency, leads to more equitable and inclusive decisions that can improve people’s lives AND strengthen a company’s ability to be resilient during difficult, as well as favorable, economic times.