In recognition of their continued dedication to workplace diversity and inclusion. The Calico Group has been ranked 2nd in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List 2021/22 – successfully building upon their 5th place ranking in 2020. The list aims to celebrate UK-based organisations that promote inclusion and belonging across all protected characteristics, throughout each level of employment.
Now in its sixth year, the Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List harnesses best practice and innovation to drive inclusion for all. This years’ list was announced via a digital event held on the 1st December.
The Group is proactive in creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where all colleagues are supported and understood, and feel they belong. This work has been reflected in the new ranking.
The Group has various initiatives to ensure a welcoming environment for all, including ‘This is Me’ groups formed to support and champion inclusivity. These groups include LGBTQI+, BAME , Youth and Ability and encourage colleagues to come together in supporting one another and sharing their experiences and influencing policies and procedures.
Furthermore, the Group recently appointed a dedicated Diversity & Inclusion lead, Carmel Roberts whose focus is to challenge, support and increase representation and understanding of issues.
Carmel stated, ‘Being recognised as a values-led organisation and placing so highly on the prestigious list this year is a great achievement. This applies even more so at the end of another difficult year, where the Group continues to face new and emerging challenges requiring us to adapt quickly to support colleagues in innovative ways.
The diversity of our customers is reflected in the diversity of our colleagues; this helps us understand and empathise with our customers.’
The Group is also part of external networks including Inclusive Companies, Black Leaders Network, Housing Diversity Network and House Proud North West. These affiliations ensure the Group remain up to date with diversity agendas and help them to share and seek best practice. Furthermore, The Group is a Disability Confident employer and have also made commitments around employing former armed forces personnel.
“Companies featured on this year’s list have felt the importance of ensuring individual voices are heard and standing up as responsible employers against inequality, injustice and intolerance.” Founder and CEO, Paul Sesay
On Calico’s inclusion on the list, one of the judges stated, ‘as a charity their work by far exceeds traditional inclusion practices in terms of their target audience and they deserve to be highly commended, especially for their sector’.
If you would like to find out more about working at The Calico Group please visit our dedicated careers page at www.calico.org.uk/careers