CBI’s Valuable 500 Commitment:
At the CBI, we are committed to being a disability inclusive employer and we know that more needs to be done to support those with visible and invisible disabilities.
The CBI has been a “Disability Confident” employer since 2017 and over the last 4 years we have increased awareness on areas like Mental Health which is driven by our Mental Health Strategy and supported by our Mental Health First Aiders. We have also worked with Mencap to provide work experience for those with learning disabilities and our HR Director sits on the ‘Thriving at Work’ leadership council focused on sharing best practice around mental health with businesses.
However, we know that more needs to be done to truly be an employer of choice when it comes to supporting those with a disability.
Below are some of our 2021 commitments which are already underway:
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Created our Disability and Neurodiversity network, which will focus on how we operate as an organisation and work with the wider business. This will help in increasing cultural awareness and disclosure amongst employees so we can have a better understanding of those with disabilities in the workplace and provide the appropriate support. It will ultimately help build a more diverse and inclusive organisation.
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Launched our 2021 reasonable adjustment policy and reviewed our Occupational Health provider. This will allow us to put in place the right support for our employees from the time they join us and throughout their employment.
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Committed to increasing the number of those who believe the CBI is committed to supporting those with physical health conditions in line with our yearly diversity and inclusion survey. This will be through delivery against our Disability Confident commitment and hosting more learning sessions internally on disability and neurodivergence.
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Committed to educating our workforce on areas like neurodiversity and how to support those with physical health conditions. This is to ensure our culture is truly disability inclusive, with employees trained on the appropriate language and terminology to use when discussing disability, and to ensure we are attracting more candidates who are neurodivergent or have a disability.
Across the UK, the CBI speaks on behalf of 190,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors. Our corporate members together employ nearly 7 million people, about one third of private sector employees. We encourage our members to prioritise diversity and inclusion across all areas of their organisations, creating environments where everyone can succeed, prosper, and feel welcome.
