Tag: inclusion

Posted on

How Apprenticeships can shape tomorrow’s workforce

Apprenticeships combine on-job training with off-job learning and are fast becoming a popular alternative to uni for many younger people. Yet what exactly are the benefits for employers in embarking on this method of recruitment. Read on to discover eight reasons why your business should consider getting onboard.

  1. Tailored Workforce – Apprenticeships allow employers to tailor training programs to meet their specific needs, ensuring that apprentices learn the skills and knowledge required for the business’ operations.
  2. Cost-effective Recruitment and Training – Most businesses have access to Government-funded grants to cover some or all the training costs, and apprentice pay rates can be lower for the first 12 months. You may already be paying an ‘apprentice levy’, which you might as well make use of.
  3. Retention of Talent – Apprentices on a programme are less likely to leave during the period of study, and those who complete their programmes often feel a sense of loyalty to the company for investing in their training. This can lead to higher retention rates and reduced turnover costs.
  4. Increased Productivity – Skilled apprentices contribute to increased productivity in the workplace. As well as this, they can bring fresh perspectives and up-to-date knowledge, for example, digital skills, which can often be lacking in the workplace.
  5. Succession Planning – Apprenticeships help employers develop a pool of talented people who can potentially fill higher-level positions in the future, aiding succession planning.
  6. Improved Company Reputation – Investing in apprenticeships demonstrates a commitment to workforce development and social responsibility. It can enhance the company’s reputation, making it attractive to job seekers.
  7. Diverse Perspectives – Apprenticeship programmes can attract a diverse pool of talent, bringing different perspectives and backgrounds into the workplace, which can be beneficial for creativity and problem-solving.
  8. Compliance and Standards: Apprenticeship programmes are designed by employers within the sector, therefore they align with current industry standards and practises, and ensure the apprentice is armed with the best knowledge and skills. They may even be able to help upskill existing employees.

While there can be an initial investment in recruiting and training apprentices, the long-term payoff is a highly skilled and loyal workforce, contributing significantly to the business’ success and growth for the future.

If you’d like to find out more about the ins and outs of recruiting an apprentice, and discuss how to make best use of the funding available, please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.

Posted on

Why wellbeing in the workplace needs to be top of the agenda in 2024

January, the time for healthier habits and setting goals for the year to come. Beyond personal resolutions, it’s also the perfect time for employers to take a look at the wellbeing of their workforce, and review whether their wellbeing programme is robust enough to support them throughout the coming year. In this blog post, we will discuss why workplace wellbeing should be a priority for employers and what initiatives could be implemented to kick start a healthy and prosperous 2024.

Why focus on wellbeing?

With 35.2 million working days lost during 2022/23 due to work-related illnesses, wellbeing in the workplace should be at the top of the agenda. Stress, anxiety or depression, and musculoskeletal conditions were the main reasons why sick days were being taken, so it’s clear to see why investing in the physical, emotional and mental health employees can benefit not only the people, by creating a healthier culture, and improving employee morale and engagement, but also the performance of the business.

A strong focus on wellbeing also sets a business apart as an employer of choice. It helps attract top talent and retain valuable employees who seek a supportive work environment.

Gather the evidence

Staff surveys can be a great way to gather feedback and find out how employees are doing, what’s important to them, and what their wellbeing needs are. The results can be used to form a wellbeing strategy, and tailor-made initiatives can be put into place. Inevitably, needs change, and what works for some, may not be suitable for others, so regular reviews identify where tweaks need to be made, or other options need to be looked at.

The frequency of employee absences offers a valuable insight into their health and wellbeing, yet it’s essential for employers to look holistically and delve deeper, for example, keeping a look out for any signs of presenteeism or leaveism. Presenteeism is when employees feel pressured to be present at work(physically in the office or remotely), despite being ill. On the other hand, leaveism is where people are using their leave time for things other than a break from work, such as working during annual leave. This could be due to issues with workload management, a lack of work-life balance, or an environment where taking time off is discouraged or not effectively supported. Both presenteeism and leaveism can indicate underlying issues with workplace culture and employee wellbeing.

What health and wellbeing benefits can be offered?

Once the needs have been identified, there are various wellbeing initiatives that can be put into place:

  • Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Offers support and practical advice on health and wellbeing and financial issues, and many also have access to free counselling services.
  • Wellness Programs – Initiatives promoting physical activity, healthy eating, stress management, and overall wellbeing.
  • Family-friendly Policies – Examples being maternity and paternity leave, parental leave, and policies around flexible and hybrid working to help promote a better work-life balance.
  • Occupational Health Support – practitioners who focus on health and wellbeing in the workplace and can support with adjustments and returning to work after long absences.
  • Health Promotion Benefits – Gym memberships, for example, or free healthchecks
  • Health Insurance – provides access to healthcare for a wide range of illnesses and conditions, depending on the level of cover.
  • Education and Training Resources – workshops or resources on health-related topics like nutrition, stress reduction, weight-loss, to raise awareness and to encourage self-care.

The role of line managers

Line managers play a pivotal role in managing wellbeing in the workplace. Effective managers actively engage with their team, developing relationships, demonstrating empathy and understanding, and encouraging open communication. They are in a position to spot potential early warning signs, and can support with any adjustments that need to be made, and signpost to resources or professional services that may need to be accessed. Their leadership sets the tone, so it’s key that they understand the impact their management style can have on people, and that they are demonstrating the behaviours that promote a positive team culture.

To prepare managers, it’s important to provide them with regular training and support to deal appropriately with health and wellbeing issues, and to ensure they are aware of relevant policies and procedures that are in place.

The role of employees

Health and wellbeing initiatives are only going to be beneficial if employees participate, and also understand the importance of looking after themselves and adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Regular communication can help encourage this, and also involving the team in shaping the wellbeing strategy by gaining feedback or more directly by inviting people to become Wellbeing Champions.

By bringing health and wellbeing to the forefront, looking at the evidence, and taking an holistic and integrated approach, organisations can develop an effective strategy based on the needs of the workforce. This can help improve employee engagement, wellbeing, and morale, and lead to better productivity for the business.

If you’d like more advice or support on how to approach wellbeing in the workplace please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.

Posted on

Breaking Barriers: Encouraging Workplace Inclusion for People with Disabilities

Being an inclusive employer means creating a workplace where every person feels equally valued and respected for their unique skills and abilities, regardless of their background or identity. This includes attracting and welcoming people with disabilities.

The number of people living with disabilities or long-term health issues, who are not working, is staggering. With approximately 7.7 million people of working age [1] making up this group, it’s incredible that roughly only half of them currently employed. This untapped resource of potential talent represents a missed opportunity for businesses to benefit from the unique perspectives and skills that these people can bring to the table.

There are many reasons why people with disabilities or long-term health issues may struggle to gain employment. Sometimes the employee feels they may be a burden, and sometimes there is as a lack of understanding on behalf of the employer. It’s common for many employers, particularly smaller, or medium sized businesses, to have a lack of clarity around what accommodations in the workplace can be made or are appropriate.

Here are some steps you can take to be an inclusive employer and attract people with disabilities:

  1. Educate yourself and your staff on disability issues: This includes learning about disability etiquette, accessibility, and adjustments. Line managers that embrace the importance of building a culture of inclusivity and fully understand the role they play are key, as they will be the ones managing, supporting, and developing employees day-to-day.
  2. Make your workplace accessible: This includes physical accessibility, such as wheelchair ramps and accessible bathrooms, as well as digital accessibility, such as accessible websites and technologies.
  3. Making reasonable adjustments: The Equality Act places a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for employees with disabilities. This means that if there are any aspects of a job or workplace that put a disabled employee at a disadvantage, the employer must take steps to address them. Failure to do so can lead to legal repercussions. Some examples might include providing specialised equipment or software, modifying work hours, or altering work duties to better suit the employee’s needs. It’s important to address reasonable adjustments on an individual basis, and not assume that one person’s needs will be the same as those of another with the same condition.
  4. Become a part of the Disability Confident Scheme: This will give you access to support in recruiting, supporting, and retaining people with disabilities, as well as recognition that you are committed to inclusion and diversity, which can be used when advertising for job vacancies.
  5. Consider any barriers before recruiting for a role: It may be necessary to make adjustments at every stage of the process to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and qualifications. By proactively addressing any potential barriers and making necessary adjustments, you can create a more inclusive and fair recruitment process for all candidates.
  6. Recruit from disability networks: Reach out to disability networks and organisations to recruit job candidates with disabilities. This could include job fairs or online job boards specifically for people with disabilities, for example, Evenbreak.
  7. Use inclusive language in job postings: Use inclusive language in your job postings to attract a diverse pool of candidates, avoiding language that could be seen as exclusionary or discriminatory.

Despite facing challenges, individuals with disabilities offer distinctive perspectives and skills in the workplace. They demonstrate remarkable adaptability, creative problem-solving abilities, and provide fresh approaches to business challenges.

By creating an inclusive and accommodating workplace, employers can attract a diverse range of skilled workers and promote a culture of respect and fairness. Remember that being an inclusive employer is an ongoing process, and it requires ongoing education and effort.

If you’d like more advice, or support to recruit from a a broader pool of talent, please drop us a note here today and we’ll set up an initial chat.

[1] https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fbe437b8fa8f559e0e5cc61/disability-confident-line-managers-guide.pdf