16 September 2021
Sodexo has had its leader status in the UK Government's Disability Confident scheme re-accredited for a further three years.
The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to a workplace. Over 20,000 organisations have signed up to date.
It also helps customers and other businesses identify those employers who are committed to diversity and equality in the workplace.
Other previous members of the scheme in the FM world include Apleona and IWFM.
"There will always be more to do, but we are pleased that the government has validated the work we are doing and the progress we have made.”
–Raj Jones
Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Sodexo
Sharing Best Practice
A key element of the accreditation is to show leadership, to challenge and to share best practice.
Three years ago, Sodexo was awarded the accolade because of the work it does to promote the recruitment, engagement and development of people with disabilities.
Now it has had this renewed due to its ongoing commitment and further work. Disability inclusion is one of the five dimensions of Sodexo’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy and it has made a global commitment to ensuring all of its workforce will have access to programmes for people with disabilities by 2025.
Raj Jones, Head of Diversity. Equity and Inclusion at Sodexo, said: "Inclusivity is key to our values and we are very proud that our Leader status on the government’s Disability Confidence scheme has been recognised and renewed for a further three years.
“We aim to make sure all our employees with a disability, can thrive and have put various programmes in place to ensure this. We also work hard to remove any barriers to those who may wish to apply to work at Sodexo. There will always be more to do, but we are pleased that the government has validated the work we are doing and the progress we have made.”
All managers also undergo training around mental health and wellbeing and Sodexo encourages all its suppliers to show they are inclusive including in relation to disabled employees.
In 2020, Sodexo launched ‘A day without explanation – the future of disability inclusion?’ - a piece of research around the personal experiences of people who have lived experience of disability in work, and as customers of the types of services it provides. As part of its commitment to be a disability leader Sodexo shared these findings widely internally and externally.
Picture: a photograph of a wheelchair-user at a meeting table, a laptop and a smartphone can also be seen on the table. Image Credit: Disability In
Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 16 September 2021
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