The CIPD sign up to the Employers’ Disability Charter

Monday 11 June 2018

The Guernsey branch of the CIPD has signed up to the Guernsey Employment Trust’s ‘Employers’ Disability Charter’.

The CIPD Guernsey branch has more than 220 members from a variety of businesses across the island and is committed to working with organisations to shape the future of people management in the Bailiwick.

Alison Hawkins from the CIPD reported: “As the major representative of HR practitioners on the island the local CIPD branch felt it natural to demonstrate, as a body, our support of and commitment to the charter, and to encourage employers locally to engage in disability matters, particularly in light of proposed legislative change.  To this end we are supporting GET in raising awareness of their training and we are delighted to sign the charter at their next event on the 4th June.”

Nikki Ioannou-Droushiotis the Chief Executive of GET said: “The Charter is aimed at Employers on the island so having an organisation like the CIPD sign up is fantastic as they are not an Employer in their own right, this is going the extra mile to help disabled and disadvantaged people in Guernsey. The CIPD is an umbrella organisation made up of HR professionals and those involved in people management across many different businesses brought together to share working practices. They will be able to promote good practice amongst their member organisations, by being a source of experience and guidance in relation to recruitment and retention of disabled people and through leading by example."

The Employers’ Disability Charter contains nine commitments which aim to improve employment opportunities for disabled people. The CIPD group is the 20th organisation to sign up to the Charter. Charter signatories are spread across a wide range of industries from small family run businesses to national and international organisations. Businesses sign up to the commitments as a sign that they are committed to promoting inclusivity and increasing diversity in the workplace.

The Charter is designed to help all businesses improve their work place practices, cultures and attitudes. It also helps to allay fears regarding the forthcoming disability discrimination legislation and any concerns around reasonable adjustments and associated perceived costs involved. It offers specific and realistic objectives that employers can be working towards.

Guernsey Employment Trust (GET) is a charity that supports disabled and disadvantaged people to prepare for, find and maintain employment.  GET works closely with the business community, by offering advice on good practice regarding employment and disability matters. GET will assist employers on an individual basis to help fill job vacancies with the right people, as well as offering long-term support and training to colleagues while the individual settles in to their new role and working environment.

For more information about Guernsey Employment Trust call Nikki Ioannou-Droushiotis on 247999 or visit the website get.org.gg

Pictured: Nikki Ioannou-Droushiotis handing the Employers’ Disability Charter trophy to Georgie King who is co-branch chair for the Guernsey CIPD branch.