Specialist later life housing and care provider Anchor has been awarded gold status for 2023 as part of its ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The accolade, which was given to the employer by the Inclusive Employers Standard, follows the bronze status it achieved in 2020 and silver status in 2021. Anchor was the third organisation to achieve gold status.
Anchor received the gold standard accreditation as a result of its work with residents and employees to ensure inclusion was part of its everyday approach, as well as its focus on creating a workplace where all staff can thrive. It embedded inclusion practices by ensuring leaders and employees understand how the whole organisation is responsible for making diversity and inclusion an everyday reality, utilising its resources and practices to further inclusion within the workplace.
As part of its approach, Anchor introduced employee networks for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) staff, LGBTQ+ staff, and those with disabilities. The organisation also has a diversity and inclusion lead on its resident council, as well as an equality, diversity and inclusion manager. These representatives work together to address concerns, review policies, and act as allies.
Anchor is also a Stonewall Champion and a signatory of the Care Leave Covenant.
Sarah Jones, chief executive at Anchor, said: “While we know there’s always more we can do, we’re absolutely delighted to have achieved gold accreditation from Inclusive Employers, recognising us as among the best employers in the UK when it comes to equality, diversity and inclusion. For us to have done this only 18 months since we achieved silver is a mark of the hard work and firm commitment of so many across the organisation to inclusion in the workplace.”
Teagan Robinson-Bell, equality, diversity and inclusion manager at Anchor, added: “It’s incredible to work for an organisation that not only cares about its staff and residents but shows a willingness to improve and embed a culture of inclusion. We’re the first provider of care and housing to be awarded gold and I’ve really enjoyed watching our employees drive our diversity and inclusion agenda within their teams too. We’re dedicated to being a truly diverse and inclusive organisation, and this award recognises that commitment.”
Anchor offers staff the real living wage, discounts on groceries, holidays, gym memberships, phone contracts and high-street fashion, an employee assistance programme (EAP), flexible working, free life cover, financial support through Salary Finance, and access to health cash plans for dentists’ bills, glasses and physiotherapy, as well as free family cover for up to four children.