Calling all inclusive employers and recruiters: RIDI Awards are now open for entries

The Recruitment Industry Disability Initiative (RIDI) Awards which celebrate progress and recognise the success of organisations that are making headway in increasing the inclusion of disabled people – are inviting entries from employers and recruiters.

Now in their fourth year, the recruitment industry’s only disability awards will be hosted by XL Catlin in their prestigious London offices on Thursday 15 March 2018. 

Submissions close on 1st February 2018. The awards are free to enter and attend. 

Commenting on the awards, Kate Headley, Chair of RIDI and subject matter expert, said:

“Since the inception of RIDI in 2014, I have witnessed a groundswell of awareness and understanding around disability in the workplace and this is in no small part thanks to the work that all previous years’ Award winners are doing to shift the tide. However, we still have further to go. 

According to our latest research, three quarters of disabled jobseekers find their condition impacts their job hunt, yet the signs are positive we’re on the cusp of change. The analysis threw up a number of examples of best practice, with those surveyed recounting positive recruitment experiences including: being offered a choice of contact method, extra time for assessments, fixed deadlines to plan applications, online interviews rather than face-to-face and an allocated parking space. 

RIDI promotes the idea that small changes in recruitment processes can have a huge impact on inclusion and previous winners have enforced that message: the recruiter who personally ensured a wheelchair user was able to make an interview, the consultancy which offers disabled candidates practice interviews to help build confidence and the businesses which are cascading disability confident messages throughout their supply chains.   

Winners from all previous RIDI Awards have provided truly inspiring stories and it is fantastic to see them showcase their work so that they can encourage others and lead by example. Once again, we’re calling inclusive employers and recruiters to share their own stories of success in this area so that they too can inspire others and gain the recognition that they rightfully deserve.

I’d also like to encourage disabled people who have had a great recruitment experience to share their stories and encourage those who have provided these experiences to enter the Awards. It is only through sharing best practice that others can replicate this success and move the dial.”  

Host, Paul Jardine, Chief Experience Officer at XL Catlin, added: 

“I was inspired to get involved with RIDI because of the great work it does working with recruiters who want to drive disability confidence in the industry and reduce the disability employment gap. This work is incredibly important to ensure we give disabled people in the UK a real chance in the workplace. XL Catlin is proud to be hosting the RIDI Awards in 2018.”