Diversity and inclusion stories
The Better Tomorrow Plan is not only a strategy - it is the way we do business. Read our stories from the field to see how we bring our commitments to diversity and inclusion to life.
Access to work for people with disabilities
Disability in the workplace can pose challenges for both the employee and the employer but as two of our sites have recently discovered, Access to Work - a Job Centre Plus scheme - offers a great deal of support.
One of our public sector client sites has managed to secure a fully funded support worker to help with communication for a deaf and mute chef, and is getting funding assistance with sign language training for the team. At Kimberly-Clark, we have retained a partially sighted team member by securing fully funded assistance to enable him to perform his duties.
'Let's talk' at HMP Forest Bank
Sodexo Justice Services held a 'Let's talk' conference HMP Forest Bank in May 2010 to showcase and celebrate achievements since its equality and inclusion strategy was formally launched in 2008.
Some 120 employees, external specialists and prisoners attended the conference to learn more about our approach and participate in a series of workshops on equality and inclusion.
“Within the overarching mantle of human rights, SJS is committed to creating a culture that appreciates and celebrates equality and inclusion, where prisoners, employees visitors and suppliers are treated with respect and dignity, whatever their age, disability, gender, reassignment of gender, sexual orientation, race, religion or belief.”
Managing director, Sodexo Justice Services
Top 100 Most Influential Women
At the end of March 2011, Women 1st, the brainchild of People 1st, announced the top 100 most influential women in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry, including three of Sodexo's senior managers. Sodexo also scooped the Large Business Award from Women 1st.
Natalie Bickford, HR Director; Jane Bristow, Managing Director of Corporate Services and Education; and Michelle Hanson, Commercial Director, all made the coveted top 100 list. Their success at the awards is a clear indication of how gender diversity has been embraced at Sodexo. The proportion of women at board level in the UK is just under eight per cent, whereas at Sodexo UK & Ireland, 30 per cent of the executive team are women.
The Sodexo diversity and inclusion council has prioritised the development and retention of women as one of its key strands of activity. The proportion of women in middle management roles has gone from 40 to 47 per cent in just two years. Sodexo has also set up an employee network, Women Work, to promote personal and professional development opportunities for women within Sodexo and it already boasts around 400 members.
More information: Read our press release on the Shine Award Large Business Award 2011.
See the full list of the top 100 most influential women by visiting the Women 1st website.
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