Be completely you. This was Fujitsu’s message to its employees as it joined a list of the best companies working with disabled people.
Business Disability Forum has named Fujitsu as one of a handful of companies working at the highest levels when employing or doing business with disabled people.
Fujitsu gained a rare Silver grade in the Forum’s Disability Standard, an in-depth tool that scores companies on their approach to disabled people.
This means they are one of the top 20 highest-scoring companies measured under the Standard since the tool was launched in 2004. Fujitsu is also the first tech company to have been accredited as a Disability Confident Leader, the highest level of the new scheme from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Fujitsu was found to excel at providing adjustments for disabled workers and were praised for the way it trained staff on disability awareness.
Business Disability Forum described Fujitsu’s networking group for disabled workers as “excellent” for the work it does across the business.
Fujitsu’s approach to disabled customers was also acclaimed, with the company working to make computer systems accessible for disabled users.
The company has also worked hard to educate its staff on disability. In 2015 it launched a campaign, #BeCompletelyYou, which set out to create a culture of openness around disability in the workplace.
Fujitsu received two Disability-smart Awards from the Forum later that year, one for its networking group for employees and another for its ICT.
Gavin Bounds, COO of Fujitsu Americas and EMEIA said: ‘As the executive sponsor for Fujitsu’s Disability Network, SEED, I have seen the powerful impact that effective employee engagement has on the disability confidence of the organisation. The network brings a scrutiny to internal processes ensuring that we are focused on developing disability talent. I am delighted that the network and Fujitsu has been recognised for its inclusive approach.’
Lucy Dimes, Head of Fujitsu UK & Ireland, said: ‘I am hugely proud of this achievement. This demonstrates the importance we place on all aspects of diversity and inclusion and the benefits it brings to our employees, our organisation and our customers.’
Charles Clement, Senior Consultant at Business Disability Forum, completed the Disability Standard assessment for Fujitsu. He said: “Fujitsu’s high score in the Disability Standard reflects continuing hard work across the business to deliver the best possible outcomes for disabled staff and customers. Fujitsu’s Silver status comes shortly after the business received two Disability-smart Awards in recognition of their excellent SEED network for disabled employees and accessible ICT.
“In their Disability Standard assessment, Fujitsu were found to particularly excel in making adjustments for disabled employees and providing disability related training to employees and managers. Fujitsu achieved high scores under the commitment, know-how and recruitment criteria.
“This is clearly a time of great achievement in Fujitsu’s work around disability and we hope that their score and accreditation encourage more good work on their part.”
Business Disability Forum represents around 300 organisations that employ 15% of the UK workforce. We have more than twenty-five years’ experience of equipping people with the expertise to create confident organisations by improving the understanding of disability in business, removing barriers and making adjustments for individuals. Find out more at www.businessdisabilityforum.org.uk.
