Barclays, IBM and Marks and Spencer were awarded for their equality and inclusion policies at the Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) Awards 2014.
The awards acknowledge and celebrate employers with a commitment to good practice above and beyond legal compliance, and innovative approaches that will inspire other employers.
Barclays was awarded the ‘Working families award’ for ensuring its employees balance their work and family life, for example, by providing initiatives such as support networks and coaching for expectant and new parents.
IBM was awarded the ‘Flexible/agile working award’ for its focus on flexible working for all employees.
Marks and Spencer and Aimia were joint winners for the ‘Wellbeing at work award’. The retailer’s wellbeing initiatives include a dedicated website, physiotherapy, an employee assistance programme, annual health challenges, and a health and wellbeing network.
Meanwhile, loyalty scheme firm Aimia has created an inclusive culture for UK and global employees, which includes a wide range of physical wellbeing initiatives and focused training to help employees switch off from work and lower stress.
The award winners included:
- Marks and Spencer – Overall winner 2014: private sector.
- The Civil Service – Overall winner 2014: public sector.
- Aimia – Small employer of the year.
- Marks and Spencer and Aimia – Wellbeing at Work: joint winners.
- Barclays – Working families award.
- IBM – Flexible/agile working award.
- The Civil Service and Affinity Sutton Housing Association – Employee engagement award.
- Post Office – Representative workforce award.
- University College London Hospitals – Team of the year.
- Aimia – Inclusive culture award.
- E.On – Inclusive recruitment award.
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust – Personal fair and diverse award.
- PageGroup – Global diversity award.
- The University of Manchester – Inclusive communications award.
- Circle Housing – Community impact award.
Denise Keating, chief executive at ENEI, said: “The ENEI annual awards recognise the commitment of organisations to achieving diverse and inclusive workplaces, celebrating the teams and individuals who really are making a difference.
“We have been encouraged by the steps these organisations have taken to promote equality and diversity and hope this will encourage other organisations to follow their lead.
“More than 80 organisations entered the awards this year and we are delighted that many of them are prepared to publicly demonstrate best practice and have been recognised for the innovative work they are doing.”
