Corporate Citizenship Briefing 97: Diversity

Companies are made up of people and without them no business can do, well, business. So, the way in which corporations recruit, treat and retain their employees is of utmost importance. A growing debate in the UK is around disability and access to jobs for people with disabilities. Susan Scott-Parker, of the Employers’ Disability Forum, takes the issue head on and urges companies to be clear on disability issues when developing diversity strategies. Alan Christie, of the Human Rights and Equalities Commission, further argues that fighting discrimination in all its forms – be it cultural, religious or ethnic – can ensure that the UK remains a big player in the global economy. Royal Mail is an example of a company that relies on people to make its business work and Mienke Retief talks to Kay Allen, head of social policy and inclusion at Royal Mail about how the organisation addresses diversity issues as well as recruits from traditionally socially excluded groups of people such as the homeless. Also, don’t miss our regular Letter from America, where Megan DeYoung tells us how US companies are facing up to diversity issues, as well as our round-up of corporate responsibility news and analysis.