Career Connect is now one of the Top 10 Most Inclusive Workplaces for 2023, as compiled by the National Centre for Diversity.
While we’ve been reflecting on our impact for 2023 (detailed in our 22/23 Impact Report) we received the amazing news that Career Connect is one of the Top 10 Most Inclusive Workplaces for 2023.
The news was announced at this year’s prestigious FREDIE Awards 2023, which celebrate the achievements of organisations committed to Fairness, Respect, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement (FREDIE). As an accredited Investor in Diversity with the National Centre for Diversity, Career Connect places FREDIE standards at the heart of everything we do.
This year’s 10th place ranking marks a significant leap compared to the previous year, when Career Connect was recognised as one of the Top 50 most inclusive workplaces for 2022 (number 46).
Starting our journey
Our Investors in Diversity journey began back in April 2021, when we signed up to the Investors in Diversity Award. We conducted a staff survey and assessment of our policies and procedures and worked with the National Centre for Diversity to create a Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
To ensure appropriate and effective action, we set up a staff diversity group – comprised of members from all areas of the charity – to focus on key tasks from the Action Plan, including:
- Reviewing our staff training procedures, to ensure they adhere to FREDIE principles;
- Publishing regular diversity and inclusion articles on our staff intranet, to raise awareness among the charity and stimulate staff discussion;
- Making staff aware of sources of information on a wide range of issues, including race and diversity, unconscious bias, workplace representation and challenging prejudice.
- Regularly reviewing our website diversity and inclusion messages; and
- Identifying suitable partner agencies who working with BAME communities, to circulate our job vacancies.
Sharing Diversity
Since beginning our Investors in Diversity journey, we have encouraged all staff to share their individual stories of diversity via our intranet, allowing us to discover more about who are staff are as individuals and the colleagues we work with.
We have set up a Menopause Awareness Group and invite all staff to participate. We also celebrate a wide range of diversity calendar dates, including Black History Month, Pride Month, International Women’s Day, International Men’s Day, National Care Leavers Week and many more.
We also periodically conduct follow-up staff surveys, to ensure that we’re doing better for our workforce.
Sheila Clark, CEO for Career Connect said: “I am delighted that Career Connect has built upon the achievements of last year become one of the Top 10 Most Inclusive Workplaces for 2023. Our dedicated staff are committed to promoting FREDIE best practice in all that we do, and to making the charity a more inclusive place to work.”
Solat Chaudhry, Chief Executive at the National Centre for Diversity said: “I send my warmest congratulations to Career Connect on successfully reaching number 10 in the Top 100 Most Inclusive Workplaces Index 2023. It’s been a challenging year and yet, it has not dented the excellent work that organisations and individuals do in promoting FREDIE best practice.”
Career Connect’s Director of HR, Danielle Kneale, holding the plaque commemorating the charity’s place among the top 10 most inclusive UK employers for 2023.
Read the FREDIE full Top 100 List for 2023
Find out more about the FREDIE Awards and the Investors in Diversity Award, please visit the National Centre for Diversity website.
