Jobcentre Plus

The Department for International Development, based in East Kilbride, is the latest employer in Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire to be awarded the Jobcentre Plus disability symbol.

The symbol was awarded in recognition of the Department’s commitment to people with disabilities, which have been demonstrated through the retention, training and career development of all of its employees with health conditions.

The award of the symbol demonstrates an organisation’s effective policy towards employees with disabilities and also encourages more people from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply for employment with them.

Accepting the award on behalf of the Department for International Development, Dr Richard Montgomery head of the Corporate Human Resource Department, said:
“We are delighted to receive this award today.  The Department for International Development is fully committed to providing employment opportunities for all. Candidates applying for employment with us are judged on their skills and abilities; disability or health issues need not be a barrier.

“Once recruited we ensure that they have full access to development opportunities within the organisation.  People with a health condition or disability who have the skills we are looking for have a valuable role to play in today’s modern workforce. This is reflected in our recently published Disability Equality Scheme and our commitment to diversity more broadly.

“The Department for International Development is delighted to receive the disability symbol award and would encourage other employers to adopt the same principles.”

Presenting the award on behalf of Jobcentre Plus, David Collie, district manager for Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire said:
“This is a great achievement for The Department for International Development. It is important that potential employees are given an equal chance in the workplace and have the opportunity to prove their ability and skills regardless of their circumstances.

“Organisations are now starting to recognise the benefits of employing a diverse workforce and we hope that this award to The Department for International Development will help to show other employers that they too can adopt these high standards.”

For further information on the award of the disability symbol contact Brendan Kelly, Jobcentre Plus employer engagement manager on 01698 483614.

Notes to editor

The five criteria for being awarded the Jobcentre Plus disability symbol are:

1.to interview all applicants with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for the job vacancy and consider them on their disabilities

2. to ensure there is a mechanism in place to discuss, at any time, but at least once a year, with disabled employees what both parties can do to ensure they can develop and use their abilities

3. to make every effort when employees become disabled to make sure they stay in employment

4.to take action to ensure that all employees develop the appropriate level of disability awareness needed to make these commitments work

5. to review these commitments annually and plan ways to improve on them

DFID responds to humanitarian crises around the world, providing funding to relief operations, search and rescue expertise and emergency supplies to help save lives when disasters strike.

Press office contacts:
For local information: Sheila Lynn, district marketing manager for Jobcentre Plus in Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire
Telephone: 01698 484 059
E-mail: Sheila.lynn@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
 
For all other media enquiries: Samantha O‘Kane, Department for Work and Pensions press office Scotland
Telephone: 0131 222 5227
E-mail: regional-press-office-scotland@dwp.gsi.gov.uk