Conference debates how workplaces can work for everyone

Assistance dog lies on the floor at the feet of someone working.
Consider adding a caption with the image to provide context, particularly if the disability in the image is not immediately visible. Captions can also help to increase understanding of disability.

Scenario: Peter arrives for his first day at work with his Alsatian Emotional Support Dog. On seeing the dog, team member Nick becomes upset and locks himself in a toilet, only emerging when the dog has gone. As a child Nick was bitten by an Alsatian. He has a phobia of all dogs, but especially Alsatians.

Reasonable adjustments are essential in the workplace but meeting everyone’s needs can be complicated. There are many potential clashes in terms of light, heat, noise levels and even emotional support animals. At their annual conference hosted by BT Group on 2 July, titled ‘We Can Work it Out,’ Business Disability Forum (BDF) takes a fresh look at the issues facing all employers and offers practical solutions.  

BDF will be joined by a line-up of senior leaders and experienced diversity and inclusion professionals from across the world of employment. These include Eleanor Hudson, Contract Management Director, BT Group, Andy Garrett, Global programme director, GSK, Safia Kukaswadia, Diversity Equity and Inclusion expert, DLA Piper and Charles Clement, DEI Manager, BT Group. 

Diane Lightfoot, CEO of Business Disability Forum, said: “Getting it right on adjustments is important for all employers who want to create productive and happy workforces. Balancing the needs of everyone, however, can be difficult. It needs a commitment from all involved to work it out together. We are delighted to be able to debate and share insights on this important topic and are grateful to BT Group for hosting this year’s conference.” 

Howard Watson, BT Group Chief Security and Networks Officer and Executive Sponsor of BT Group’s Able2 people network said: “We are delighted to be hosting Business Disability Forum’s Annual Conference 2024 and to be celebrating their visionary work, which brings together organisations and individuals to create a more accessible world.   

“The theme for this year’s conference is adjustments in a modern world. This is a topic that is very important to our organisation. The success of the BT Group depends on having a workforce that reflects our customers, to ensure our products and services are accessible and inclusive. Inclusion needs to be hardwired into everything we do and every decision we make.  We are, therefore, proud to be hosting this year’s event.” 

How and where do we work in 2024?  

The conference will also look at how and where we are working in 2024 and what this means for adjustments. Some organisations want a full-time return to office working, for example. While others are opting for a hybrid model. Speakers, including Vasiliki Arvaniti, Head of Asset Management, Derwent London plc will consider what this means in terms of meeting the needs of disabled employees and particularly for those in Gen Z whose experiences and expectations of work will be different.  

What are the challenges facing diversity, equality and inclusion professionals?  

As the workplace changes so does the role of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI). Birgit Neu, senior DEI advisor will discuss why the skills of DEI professionals are still needed in 2024 and beyond. Birgit will discuss:  

  • Global and UK trends in DEI   
  • Geopolitical tension and DEI backlash  
  • AI and implications for DEI  

How are we measuring inclusion in our workplaces?  

How we measure inclusion in our workplaces is a much-debated topic. We cannot know if our workplaces are becoming more inclusive unless we measure them, but how we measure them is a complex subject.  

Angela Matthews, Business Disability Forum Director of Policy and Research, will discuss how we can collect data in a way that leads to change and greater disability inclusion.  

How to join the debate 

Business Disability Forum’s annual conference, We Can Work It Out, Reasonable Adjustments in a Modern World, will take place from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 2 July in London (1, Braham Street, London, E1) and online.  Go to Business Disability Forum’s Annual Conference 2024 page to register and to find out more about our speaker line-up.

Ends 

Journalists and members of the media interested in attending the conference should email media@businessdisabilityforum.org.uk to find out about media places.

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