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ONS’s “clear commitment” leads to accreditation as a Disability Confident Leader

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has been accredited as a Disability Confident Leader for an inclusive approach towards colleagues with disabilities.

The three-tier Disability Confident scheme, led by the Department for Work and Pensions, supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace. Disability Confident Leader status is the highest level of this scheme, awarded to organisations that act as champions for the rights of disabled people within their supply chains, networks and who lead the way to help other businesses to become disability confident.

The ONS was commended for its work on providing an inclusive recruitment process for disabled people, providing an accessible environment and valuing and listening to feedback from disabled colleagues.

In a report by the national Business Disability Forum, the ONS was praised for demonstrating “clear commitment at senior level” and “strong collaboration” with internal disability employee groups.

Karen Govier, who oversees the ONS’s diversity work, said:

“We want to be known as a brilliant and inclusive employer, representing different backgrounds, identities, and life circumstances. Making sure we build the right culture and environment for that to happen is really important, so it is fantastic to be recognised as a Disability Confident Leader.”

Iain Bell, Deputy National Statistician and the ONS’s representative disability champion, said:

“I am so proud to lead an organisation who is working to encourage talent no matter what their background is. Diversity has real benefits, not just for disadvantaged communities but also by improving the way we work through introducing new behaviours and attitudes.

“This award is great recognition of our work to promote diversity so far. I will be working to make sure that the ONS is a place where everyone feels supported to work and excel as we look to improve the statistics that continue to define the country’s national policy.”

Disability Confident Leader is the top level of a three-tier award. More information about what it means for businesses and how you can apply is available online.

Media contacts:

Media Relations Office: +44 (0)845 6041858
Emergency on-call: +44 (0)7867 906553
E-mail: media.relations@ons.gov.uk

 

Channel website: https://www.ons.gov.uk/

Original article link: https://www.ons.gov.uk/news/news/onssclearcommitmentleadstoaccreditationasadisabilityconfidentleader

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