Employees: 220,000
Turnover: 8.119 million
Consignia, which owns Royal Mail, Parcelforce and Post Offices, plus 20 distribution companies overseas, is not just about post and parcels. As well as being involved in distribution and logistics in the UK and abroad, it is also taking an active part in increasing peoples awareness of disability in the workplace.
Many businesses claim to understand the issues faced by those with disabilities, but the way people with disabilities are treated can differ drastically depending on how well HR and the board understand the areas of concern and whether or not they are committed to addressing them.
Consignia paired up with Dining with a Difference, a body set up to increase awareness of the problems faced by those with disabilities, after disability spokesman James Partridge was asked to contribute to an awareness-raising dinner for senior executives at British Gas in the late 1990s.
Consignia subsequently hosted three pilot dinners so that a model could be produced for use in other firms with different types of audiences. Dinners are tailored to suit the specific requirements of the guests attending, and address the issue of disability.
Evidence gathered by the Employers Forum on Disability three years ago confirmed that commitment at board level was vital for companies to take disability seriously. It was in March 2000 that Partridges idea finally evolved into a project which then won sponsorship from the (then) Post Office and the Department for Education and Employment.
The four people behind Dining with a Difference each have a disability and collectively host educational dinners for up to 30 chief executives and senior directors.
The aim of the dinners is to challenge, inspire and inform guests on a range of disability issues, such as the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Group managing director for the distribution services, Kevin Williams, took on responsibility for Dining with a Difference and has just handed the project over to Consignias group HR director to maintain the collaboration.
Says Williams: I got interested in this because I have a personal interest in it. And the business case is very well made for customers and for employees. In the distribution industry, there are serious skills shortages, like multi-drop drivers. We invest a lot of time and energy so that facilities are suitable for people with a variety of disabilities. People with disabilities tend to be very dedicated and loyal employees.
He adds that because Consignia deals with all aspects of the public on a daily basis, there is quite a high awareness of the problems that disabled people face. This inevitably feeds back into Consignia as a workplace and, says Williams, has heightened his awareness.
Its a matter of keeping it on the boards agenda. The scheme has already been rolled out. We have been looking at how we can get all stakeholders along the supply chain involved. It forces us to think of things. When I came back to the building after a lunch, I realised that no one in a wheelchair could get past the second floor, as the buttons were too high. We have been doing a lot of work making sure our buildings are accessible. There are principles that can be rolled out to other companies to benefit both employees and customers.
Contact: Henrietta Spalding, Dining with a Difference, 07939 541830
