Sodexo, the world’s largest services company, has signed up to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme to employ, support and promote people with disabilities.
The announcement comes ahead of the United Nations’ International Day for Persons with Disabilities on Sunday (3 December).
Sodexo’s head of diversity and inclusion for the UK and Ireland, Megan Horsburgh appeared on BBC Breakfast today (30 Nov) talking about employability skills for people with disabilities as part of the program’s week-long focus on disability in the UK.
To mark the United Nations’ International Day for Persons with Disabilities Sodexo is raising awareness of invisible disability with a campaign to raise awareness with its employees and externally.
Case studies from employees’ own personal experiences of invisible disabilities, such as anxiety and depression, diabetes and hearing impairments, will be shared through posters, internal communications channels and social media.
On Monday (4 December), Sodexo’s D&I team are hosting a webinar – ‘making invisible disability visible’ – for all employees on the company’s approach to disability, including more personal stories from employees about caring for someone with disability or those delivering inclusive services to customers.
Disability is one of six focus areas within Sodexo UK and Ireland’s diversity and inclusion strategy, the others being gender, cultures and origins, sexual orientation and gender identity, generations and inclusion.
Paul Anstey, executive sponsor for disability at Sodexo UK & Ireland, and CEO for Schools and Universities in the UK & Ireland, Nordics & Benelux regions said:
“Signing up to the Government’s Disability Confident scheme recognises our commitment as an employer of 34,000 people serving many more customers every day to recruit, retain and develop people with disabilities
“I look forward to opening our webinar ‘making visible disability visible’ to mark the United Nations’ International Day for Persons with Disabilities. I would like to thank our employees sharing their personal experiences. By talking about these topics more openly we can break down stereotypes, challenge perceptions, and create an even more inclusive environment.”
