Image credit: Eric GlennCorporate pensions consultancy XPS Pensions Group (XPS) and vehicle rental organisation Enterprise Holdings have signed the Valuable 500 pledge this week, marking their commitment to supporting diverse and inclusive workplaces.The Valuable 500, which launched in January 2019, is a year-long, global campaign that is asking 500 private sector organisations to pledge their support to disability inclusion and equality. By joining, employers commit to placing disability inclusion on the board agenda in 2019, and to making one firm commitment to implement in 2019. Organisations must share this commitment both internally and externally.
XPS, which employs 1,200 staff, has stated that it will measure disability demographics within its workforce to help understand the gaps in support and implement potential solutions. The organisation has also pledged to understand and support employees with both visible and non-visible disabilities and promote an inclusive culture.
Alongside this, XPS intends to provide awareness education to ensure all members of staff work in an inclusive and bias-free way, as well as empowering and supporting staff to share their stories through the creation of a resource hub which will be hosted on a new intranet, launching in 2020.
Enterprise Holdings, which employs 100,000 people globally, across the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, has made this commitment to cement the fact that inclusion and diversity are core business priorities, underpinning organisational and individual employee measurement and progression.
Khaled Shahbo, managing director for UK and Ireland at Enterprise Holdings, signed the pledge at an event on 3 December 2019 at the organisation's headquarters in Egham, to coincide with United Nations International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The event included guest speakers and an employee survey on disability issues.
Paul Cuff, co-chief executive officer at XPS Pensions Group, said: “[3 December], on International Day of People with Disabilities, marks an opportunity for businesses to think about their culture and the opportunities they offer to colleagues with disabilities. We at XPS are committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and progress, and where diversity and disability inclusion is an integral part of our agenda. Disability can be a sensory, mental or physical impairment that can impact one’s ability to undertake normal daily activities; however, it should not exclude them from the opportunity to succeed at work.”
Shelley Roither, vice president of HR at Enterprise Holdings, said: “At Enterprise Holdings, we put a high value on diversity and strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone can be their best. Signing the Valuable 500 reinforces to our colleagues, customers and business partners that diversity and inclusion is a priority for our business at every level. We are honored to act as ambassadors and promoters for critical disability diversity issues.”
Shahbo added: “This important initiative helps us as a global business to reflect on the impact that we can have on the wellbeing and success of people living with disabilities, within Enterprise and beyond.”
Caroline Casey, founder at The Valuable 500, said: “Our global movement is putting disability on the business leadership agenda. Through joining our inclusion revolution, businesses have the opportunity to improve growth, drive innovation and improve brand reputation. We provide businesses with access to all the tools they could possibly need to support them in their disability inclusion journey and celebrate those that are leading the way. We believe everyone has a unique perspective and when disabled people are included, we all win.”
