Abbey
Abbey is committed to being a good corporate Citizen and to treating all those who come into contact with us in a fair and ethical manner. We take into account how we deal with our customers and employees, how we manage our ethical and environmental responsibilities, and how we support the communities we work in.
Lord Burns, chairman.
Equality and diversity
Abbey has shown a lasting commitment to Workforce diversity and has had some form of Diversity policy since the early 80s. Our diversity policy, 'Valuing People as Individuals', is consistent with the values that underpin our culture. The policy is available on our website at www.aboutabbey.com.
Throughout 2004 we've continued our involvement with national diversity interest groups. We were pleased that our work in this area was recognized last year when for the first time Opportunity Now awarded us the Gold Standard in its benchmarking index on gender equality. We have also supported Employers Forum on Disability (EFD), the Employers Forum on Age, and Race for Opportunity.
We're committed to the Disability Discrimination Act and are proud to use the Employment Service' Positive about Disabled People' symbol. We have a partnership agreement with the Employment Service Disability Service to provide access to work for people with disabilities. This aims to make sure that new and existing staff gets the necessary aids and equipment to make their working lives easier.
Our Disability Employment Action Team (DEAT) has continued to focus on setting up a strong framework for the employment of disabled people. This team helps to make sure we progress towards our goal of making Abbey an employer that disabled people want to work for. Abbey maintains strong links with local disability networks and supports the Employers Network on Disability (ENOD) in Milton Keynes for instance. The Network is a partnership between employers, disabled people and service providers to encourage greater understanding of each other's needs. Over the last year joint projects between Abbey and the Network have included: ENOD's exhibition of assistive technology supported by the Abbey facilities and occupational health departments; Abbey's occupational health adviser presenting at ENOD's AGM; and Abbey staff offered free places on ENOD sponsored disability training.
In 2003, we reported on the success of an open day held in our Bradford offices to promote employment opportunities within Abbey and raise awareness of Abbey as an employer for people with hearing disabilities. We have 14 hearing impaired people working in our Customer Account Service Excellence (CASE) team. Although we have interpreters who attend team meetings and help as and when needed, communication on a day-to-day basis needed improving. Arrangements were made for interested employees to receive sign language training. The training was carried out in employee's own time, after work at the office. It was delivered by a hearing impaired colleague who is a qualified teacher, free of charge. In 2004, two eight-week training sessions were carried out. This training was so well received; we plan to arrange a one-year course for interested employees to train for stage one British Sign Language. Successful completion of this will result in employees holding an externally recognized qualification.
Employers Network on Disability
Since the Network started in 1992 Abbey has been an enthusiastic supporter. An Abbey employee is on the Board, providing business knowledge and expertise, our Charitable Trust has provided a significant element of the Network's core funding, and for the past two years we have provided the charity with office and IT facilities. Abbey has benefited from the Network's disability expertise in terms of contact with local and national networks, experience of working with a range of disabilities and knowledge of funding streams. Alice Maynard, Chair, ENOD says of the partnership: "The relationship between ENOD and Abbey is an excellent example of two organizations working together to achieve change. ENOD's aim is to enhance the employment opportunities for disabled people, by working with employers to make change happen. Abbey provides vital support for this work. At the same time, ENOD helps Abbey to improve its own approach to employing disabled people in practical ways, such as support for their mentoring scheme.