Big names put disfigurement on their equalities agenda

Almost a year since Barclays signed up to Face Equality at Work, other organisations have committed to treating their employees and customers with disfigurements fairly and equally

Organisations that have signed up include:

British Airways

Council for Health Care Regulatory Excellence

DDB London

KPMG

London Underground

Lovells LLP

Marks & Spencer

National Policing Improvement Agency

Olympic Delivery Authority

School of Oriental and African Studies

Shell

Southend NHS Trust

Barclays marked its commitment back in July 2008 with a reception for 100 leading employers at its Canary Wharf head office hosted by John Varley, Barclays Group Chief Executive. Mr Varley said, “As a business leader, I am acutely aware of the battle for talent in the marketplace. To succeed we must develop and recruit the very best people. That requires that we create an inclusive work environment where all candidates, including those with a facial disfigurement, view Barclays as a good employer. This increases the pool of talent from which we select our people and improves our ability to attract the best within that pool. I encourage other organisations to sign the Commitment to Face Equality.”

Henrietta Spalding, Head of Professional Development at Changing Faces said, “The fact that these new organisations are signing up means that for the first time, they recognise the place of disfigurement in their equalities agenda. Long term, this will mean that if you have the capabilities and skills, you will not be discriminated against in the workplace because of your disfigurement. However, we need to bear in mind that like the movement for race equality this is a long-term campaign. There are no ‘quick fixes’ when you are looking to raise awareness, create positive attitudes and eradicate discrimination and prejudice surrounding disfigurement.”

To find out more about Face Equality at Work please click here.

If you would like discuss how to sign up to Face Equality at Work please email Henrietta Spalding.