Understanding Workplace Culture in Utilities is crucial for the sector’s future.
The latest report from Women’s Utilities Network, The Power of Culture, makes for sobering — and essential — reading.
Understanding Workplace Culture in Utilities is essential for driving success and innovation in the sector.
Based on over 300 responses from professionals across the sector, the findings are both encouraging and uncomfortable. There’s clear progress: more leaders are talking about wellbeing and flexible working is available in more roles than ever before. But behind the headlines is a harder truth:
To effectively navigate these changes, a focus on Workplace Culture in Utilities is essential.
Focusing on Workplace Culture in Utilities can enhance employee engagement and morale.
-
- Culture is still inconsistent.
- Addressing Workplace Culture in Utilities can lead to significant improvements.
Improving Workplace Culture in Utilities is a shared responsibility across all levels of the organisation.
- Too many women don’t feel safe, heard, or valued.
- And policies aren’t always translating into real-world behaviour.
At Utility People, we see these patterns every day in our work with clients and candidates. Culture has become one of the biggest decision-making factors for the professionals we speak to — especially women, and especially those at mid to senior levels. This report confirms what we already know: Culture isn’t a “nice-to-have.” It’s a non-negotiable.
Here’s What We Took from the Report:
- Leadership sets the tone – but too many are out of tune.
To achieve a positive Workplace Culture in Utilities, leaders must model behaviours that support inclusivity.
69% of respondents believe their leaders take culture seriously. That’s promising — but it also means nearly a third don’t. And too many responses point to “luck of the manager” as the defining factor in a person’s experience. For culture to stick, it can’t be left to chance. It has to be modelled at every level, every day.
“Consistency across leadership is the biggest opportunity the sector has right now.”
- Flexible working is here — but not embedded.
95% of respondents say they have access to some form of flexible working. But over a third feel guilty using it. That guilt — whether spoken or silent — is a red flag for culture.
When flexibility is offered in policy but punished in practice, it sends a message: We don’t fully trust you.
For a sector that desperately needs to attract and retain top talent — especially women — that’s a message we cannot afford to send.
A strong Workplace Culture in Utilities contributes to attracting and retaining diverse talent.
- Inclusion can’t stop at the job description.
Half of respondents say they’ve witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour, often disguised as “banter.” And too often, nothing was done about it.
That’s not just a culture problem. It’s a leadership problem — and a reputation risk.
We know from talking to candidates that one poor experience is enough to take a company off someone’s list — sometimes permanently. Inclusion has to go beyond policies and posters. It must show up in how people treat each other when no one’s watching.
Addressing issues within Workplace Culture in Utilities is vital for sustainability and growth.
What This Means for Employers
As recruiters who work exclusively in the utilities sector, we can say this with confidence: You can’t hire your way out of a culture problem.
We’ve seen companies with big brand names and generous packages struggle to attract candidates because the word on the street doesn’t match the glossy Employee Value Proposition.
On the flip side, we’ve seen smaller or lesser-known companies thrive because they’ve invested in real culture — in transparency, inclusion, growth and trust.
If you’re not thinking about your internal culture with the same energy you apply to your external brand, you’re already behind.
Our Advice?
Take this report as more than research. Treat it as a roadmap — and a mirror.
-
- Review your policies and how they’re lived out day to day
- Invest in leadership development that prioritises emotional intelligence, consistency and role-modelling
Organisations that prioritise Workplace Culture in Utilities will see improved performance and loyalty.
- Get serious about feedback loops: what are your people really experiencing?
- Make flexibility and inclusion part of your brand — not your back pocket
Final Thought
Culture is how your people feel on a Monday morning. It’s the reason they stay — or leave. And in a sector facing huge transformation, culture is a competitive edge.
Ultimately, a thriving Workplace Culture in Utilities shapes the future of the industry.
The good news? You don’t have to do it alone. Speak to us about how we can support you in building a stronger team, a better hiring process — and a culture people want to be part of.
