The average person spends 30% of their life working, so it’s important we’re happy and healthy while in the office.
Within Worcestershire, this is particularly prevalent, with it being estimated that between 100,000 and 130,000 people are living with a long-term health condition and 18% having a disability.
Worcestershire has an ambition to grow the County’s economy to be a connected, creative and dynamic economy for all by 2040. INclusive Worcestershire is striving to embed equity, diversity and inclusion into every business across the county, as signified by INclusive Worcestershire Leaders.
INclusive Worcestershire Leaders is a FREE, voluntary membership program, designed to enhance inclusion across the county. It offers something for every employer, of every size, in every sector, at every stage of your inclusion journey.
Our ‘Eight Expectations For Excellence’ outlines what is expected to become an INclusive Worcestershire Leader:
Why should I be an INclusive Worcestershire Leader?
Whether you’re a large corporation or a small business, you can make a difference. Inclusive employment isn’t just the ‘right’ thing to do, it’s the future, so get ahead and become a Leader – #JoINTheChange.
By becoming an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, you are proudly highlighting you’re an inclusive, equitable, and fair employer – one that fights barriers into employment and fully considers the needs, health and well-being of your workforce.
Some of the benefits you may find from being an INclusive Worcestershire Leader include:
As an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, you will enjoy a wide range of exclusive benefits, designed to recognise and promote your business’ commitment to inclusivity. These include:
1. Exclusive Event Invitations: As an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, you will gain VIP access to events, like our INclusive Worcestershire Leaders Forum and HR Bitesize Sessions. These events will provide value networking opportunities, insightful discussions and offer the chance for you to learn about other organisations’ best practices.
2. Recognition and Certification: You will receive a certificate, formally recognising your status as an INclusive Worcestershire Leader. This will be recognition will be celebrated across the county.
3. Advertising Rights: Upon being awarded, you will receive a marketing pack and kitemark, giving you the right to promote yourself as an INclusive Worcestershire Leader. Displaying the kitemark will showcase to the county that you are at the forefront of best practice and leading within this space.
If you would like to become an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, email the team at inclusiveemployment@worcestershire.gov.uk
Alternatively, you can download the self-assessment document here.
Meet the Leaders
Worcestershire County Cricket Club Joined in April 2024 They have constantly demonstrated excellence in inclusion in sports, both for the public and their staff. |
Worcestershire Cricket Foundation Joined in August 2024 Their motto is to ‘do good through cricket’ and this is highlighted through the work they do with young people across the county. |
Design in the Shires Joined in June 2024 Their company ethos embraces this agenda ‘enjoying being creative whilst connecting with people and sharing. |
PSE PSE was the first business to champion INclusive Worcestershire Leaders. Driven by a desire to do more, and with a team of passion people, we’re very proud to call them a Leader. |
Worcester Theatres Joined in April 2024 They are striving for accessibility within the arts, the removal of barriers for anyone high on their agenda. |
Tesco, St Peters Store Joined in February 2024 They are promoting change within the community, hiring many from disadvantaged backgrounds and have gone above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of their staff. |
Royal Life Saving Society Joined in July 2024 As an organisation, they are extremely proactive in ensuring that all have equal opportunities, like finding paid employment. |
Malvern Hills District Council Joined in May 2024 Heavily champion disabilities within the organisation, working with the local JobCentre Plus to meet the needs of the community. |
Wychavon District Council Joined in May 2024 Wychavon District Council share a HR team with Malvern Hills District Council, ensuring that inclusive practices are seamlessly implemented for their employees and residents. |
Aspenify Joined in August 2024 Aspenify are currently our smallest INclusive Worcestershire Leader, however, they make large contributions to the local community, working with work experience students throughout the year and promoting female software developers. |
Karndean Designflooring Joined in April 2024 Leading with reasonable adjustments, they have job carved many roles, ensuring the wellbeing of the staff is the highest priority. |
Keysafe Company Joined in July 2024 Shaping their EDI strategy around staff feedback and surveys, the company embraces an honest, open work culture, leading within this space. |
Dolphin Computers Joined in March 2024 One of our first Leaders, excitingly, they have shaped their HR strategy around the Disability Confident Leader Framework to obtain this level. |
Rift Actuators Joined in February 2024. They champion working with people from a variety of backgrounds, including LGBTQA+, and working with local schools across the county. |
Worcester City Council Joined in August 2024 Joining the other districts as a beacon of best practice. The team in Worcester is dedicated to making life more inclusive for their staff and residents. |
Testimonials
FAQ
How does the assessment process work?
After an initial consultation confirming if you meet the Eight Expectations for Excellence, you will have a meeting with a member of our friendly team to run through the assessment. In an hour discussion, you will evidence how your business meets the outlined benchmarks, as well as any actions you want to take forward. After, you will be sent a copy of your assessment to reflect and review.
I’m a small business, can I still be an INclusive Worcestershire Leader?
Yes! We encourage interest from all businesses – especially SMEs. Best practice looks different for everyone and we understand that capacity, time and resources differ entirely. The assessment process is designed to be fluid and flexible, evaluated on an individual basis and ensuring no business is unfairly excluded from being a Leader.
Can I still be a Leader, even if my business is not based in Worcestershire?
Unfortunately, INclusive Worcestershire Leaders is a localised scheme for Worcestershire, by Worcestershire. Many local authorities have their own charters for their region like Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, West of England’s Good Employment Charter and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Fair Employment Charter. Check to see if your local area has one!
Alternatively, you can sign up for the Disability Confident Scheme – a nationally recognised initiative celebrating inclusive employment across the whole of the UK.
What if my business does not meet the ‘Eight Expectations for Excellence’?
Talk to us! We are keen to hear from all Worcestershire employers, wherever they are on their inclusion journey. If you are unsure about the criteria, our team will still go through the assessment with you and generate an action plan. We will regularly remain in contact with you to support you in becoming an INclusive Worcestershire Leader.
Does INclusive Worcestershire Leaders replace other initiatives?
We appreciate that there are several existing employment standards that deal with a wide range of employment characteristics. It is not the intention of the INclusive Worcestershire Leaders to replace these, rather they will provide strong evidence to support our initiative.
What support is available?
Once your business has become an INclusive Worcestershire Leader, you’ll be able to access a variety of resources, attend exclusive events throughout the year, share employment challenges and opportunities in a safe space, and network with like-minded individuals and other Leaders.
You will also have access to support from INclusive Worcestershire and our partners, like Worcestershire Growth Hub.