About Mott MacDonald Bentley
The global management, engineering, and development consultancy Mott MacDonald offer clients full, UK-wide feasibility, design and construction services.
J N Bentley is a civil engineering contractor working with the design house at Mott Macdonald, forming the partnership: Mott Macdonald Bentley. This partnership predominantly provides engineering solutions in the water industry, delivering new process plants and pipelines for the refurbishment of old, outdated systems.
Within this partnership, Logistics Manager Mark Wood is responsible for deploying operatives across sites, coordinating training and managing the distribution of plant and equipment.
When one of their operatives, John, a deaf employee working as a Ground Worker, required additional support, Mark and the team sought expert guidance.
John had long-standing hearing loss, and the equipment he was using was not suited to the noisy environments he worked in. The nature of the role required him to absorb important safety information during daily briefings, but these were often held in outdoor settings with machinery operating, strong winds and conversations happening around him.
The workplace noise made it difficult for John to hear the person leading the briefing, separating speech from background noise or follow critical safety updates. His company wanted to ensure he remained safe, comfortable and fully included.
Mark explained:
“It was apparent that John’s hearing equipment wasn’t suitable for the environment because of the device’s functionality. It was causing him difficulties in the workplace, and he needed an alternative.”
Seeking specialist support, the team were introduced to Victoria through Access to Work after John asked his employer for help.
John shared:
“I was having problems with my hearing and asked my company for help. They brought in Access to Work, who introduced me to Victoria Williams. I was able to get to know Victoria well, and we spoke often, sometimes daily.”
Victoria supported the team in two key areas:
1. Enabling John with the right equipment
John identified a more advanced device that could filter out background noise and amplify only the relevant sounds. Although more expensive, the company explored options to ensure he could access the equipment safely and confidently.
2. Raising awareness across the wider team
Once the device arrived, Victoria delivered training and awareness sessions for Mark, the site manager and John’s colleagues. These sessions helped the team understand what it means to be deaf in high-noise environments, how to adjust communication and how to create a more supportive working culture.
Victoria also helped the business create materials for a poster campaign, helping remove stigma and encouraging other employees with hearing loss to come forward. Victoria’s deep expertise in supporting employees with hearing loss.
The combination of suitable equipment and improved awareness has had a significant positive impact.
For John
For the Business
John added:
“My company now has a better understanding of my situation and needs, and they are going to implement signs, briefing notes and posters.”
“One of the biggest benefits for us has been the raised awareness of deafness in the workplace and how we can now reassure our employees that they do not need to be afraid to talk to us if they have hearing difficulties.”
Mark Wood
“I don’t want people to feel sorry for me, and they didn’t. They were practical, and they found solutions.”
John Hay
“This will help remove any stigma attached to being deaf and support employees who may have been afraid to tell us they are experiencing difficulties.”
— Mark Wood
“The material they use is easy to understand and easy to follow, and the offer of ongoing support is genuine.”
— Mark Wood
“People don’t realise what it’s like. Victoria listened and helped me put it into the right words to explain to my supervisor and the person from HR.”
— John Hay
“It has definitely helped me, and the lads I work with are now more aware of what I’m going through and understand why I don’t join in.”
— John Hay
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