CareCo’s Commitment to Inclusive Employment
CareCo, the UK’s leading mobility retailer, is on a mission to make every day a better day for their customers. This philosophy extends to their employees, ensuring that the workplace is welcoming and inclusive for all. Their commitment to inclusive employment is not just about doing the right thing; it’s a key part of their recruitment and retention strategy and a way to better connect with their customers, many of whom have disabilities themselves.
CareCo has long welcomed employees with disabilities, but it wasn’t until Jane Bunting, Head of Human Resources, met ECL’s Inclusive Employment team at a recruitment fair that she realised they could do even more.
“It makes total sense,” Jane explained. “As a company whose target customer is people with disabilities, we should represent that demographic in our workforce. Our customers will then be more likely to relate to us and buy from us.”
Recognising that inclusive employment is also an effective recruitment strategy, she added, “Attracting high-quality staff in today’s competitive job market is an art form. In the past, we’ve spent a lot of money on recruitment agencies, but now employers are having to think laterally about attracting talent. Working with ECL’s Inclusive Employment team is one of the ways we can do that.”
ECL introduced Brandon, a young man with autism, as a candidate for a warehouse role at CareCo. From the start, CareCo took an inclusive approach, welcoming ECL’s Job Broker, Jenny Price, and Inclusive Employment Consultant, Peter Curry, into the interview process.
Why wouldn’t you allow someone to have a supporting person if it boosts their confidence and gives them a fair chance?
She spoke of their welcoming approach to the interview, “There were three of us from CareCo interviewing, but we kept it relaxed. Brandon coped well, and we were excited to offer him a job.”
Brandon’s integration into the team was carefully planned. CareCo showed great flexibility by adjusting his start date to accommodate his move into supported living—ensuring he wasn’t overwhelmed by two major life changes taking place at the same time. When full-time hours proved too much, they allowed him to reduce his schedule to 16 hours per week. They also made a simple yet impactful adjustment to his break times, enabling him to leave work early to catch his bus home.
Brandon has been warmly welcomed at CareCo. His line manager takes the time to engage with him, often making him laugh, while his colleagues are friendly and patient, giving him the space to learn the job. This support has helped Brandon thrive and feel like a valued member of the team.
Brandon’s employment has sparked discussions at the highest levels of CareCo. With guidance from ECL and Get Set UK, CareCo has successfully achieved Disability Confident Leader status, the highest level in the Disability Confident scheme. “It gives us another reason to shout about how great it is to work for CareCo,” said Jane proudly.
To celebrate Brandon’s success and reinforce their commitment to inclusive employment, CareCo plans to feature him in their next company newsletter. The article will raise awareness among employees and customers and showcase the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
By embracing inclusive employment and ensuring a supportive work environment, CareCo are not only enhancing their recruitment strategy but also strengthening their brand in the eyes of their customers. Their partnership with ECL has proven to be a mutually beneficial relationship, paving the way for more inclusive hiring practices in the future.