Outstanding Contribution by a Larger Organisation

2010Finalists – Dickinson Dees LLP

Dickinson Dees is one of the leading independent regional firms in the UK providing a full range of services for corporate, public sector and private clients.

Dickinson Dees is committed to eliminating discrimination and promoting equality and diversity in its own policies, practices and procedures and in those areas in which it has influence.

To do this they aim to:

Remove barriers to employment

Eliminate discrimination

Promote equality

Meet requirements of Equality Standard

Support disadvantaged/minority groups into employment

Promote gender equality

Take action when recruiting

How they did this

  • E&D training all staff
  • Carried out staff survey
  • Working towards the Equality Standard
  • Implemented policies and procedures
  • E&D Inclusion policy
  • Signed up to Law Societies
  • Flexible working arrangements which include term time working for those with parenting responsibilities as well as home working.
  • Mentoring scheme which offers support to those who are returning to work from maternity and adoption leave.
  • Signed up to Work Wise North East Concordat and are a strategic partner of Work Wise North East.

Positive Action in Recruitment

  • Advertise with Connexions, local newspapers, Able Magazine and the Job Centre.
  • Provide information in different sizes and fonts and in Braille.
  • Use a software system called JAWs that can be used to aid those with visual impairments.
  • Adjusted testing processes, adapt interview rooms and logistics.
  • Fair and transparent procurement process for goods and services.

They recognise the importance of continuous improvement and have identified the need to develop a robust procurement standard to ensure consistency across the business in the purchase of goods and services.

Introduced an Equality Champion.

Outcome

The implementation of the E&D initiative has had a positive impact on staff who are more engaged and are willing participants in the initiatives.

It has helped them to demonstrate to employees that Dickinson Dees is committed to people and promoting fairness and respect in the business. It has enabled them to demonstrate to public sector and other clients their compliance to Equality and Diversity requirements.

It has also placed them in a better position to gain new work by demonstrating positive action.

JUDGES WORDS

First and foremost Dickinson Dees believe that best practice in Equality and Diversity should be followed because it is absolutely the right thing to do. To achieve this they have implemented an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, an employability project and are working towards the Equality Standard. They work with diverse groups across the North East and support these groups by offering pro-bono advice. They work to ensure inclusiveness and that there are chances available to everyone.

For more information about the North East Equality Awards, please visit our website, or contact Equality North East on 0191 495 6262 or email .