Tesco has been shortlisted for an RNIB See Differently Award in recognition of their work as an inclusive employer after achieving RNIB’s Visibly Better Employer (VBE) quality standard in April 2022.
Tesco has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year category. This award recognises an organisation which has committed to providing an accessible and inclusive workplace for blind and partially sighted employees. From making significant efforts to ensure their hiring process is fully accessible, supporting any new or existing workers with sight loss, to raising awareness of sight loss amongst their sighted employees.
Since achieving RNIB’s VBE quality standard, there has been an increase in the number of blind and partially sighted employees working across the business. In a bid to help colleagues thrive in their roles, Tesco provides specialist equipment such as tablets and tactile aids to meet the person’s needs. Tactile aids have also now been introduced across all of their bakery departments since implementing this function to support a colleague who works in the in-store bakery.
Henry Gosling, Tesco diversity & inclusion manager, said: “Achieving the standard was important to Tesco because we wanted the business to reflect the communities we serve. Tesco is somewhere that everyone feels able to thrive.”
Colleagues with sight loss work in several departments at Tesco, including in-store, distribution and their head office. To ensure needs are met for visually impaired employees, managers receive specific training to support their direct reports.
Continuing to be an inclusive workplace, Tesco recently launched its ‘Everyone’s Welcome’ guide, which details the experience of colleagues across the company. They are also exploring how they can improve the accessibility of their internal communications.
In relation to being shortlisted, Henry said: “We are delighted to be nominated for an RNIB See Differently Award. At Tesco we are passionate about getting things right, and we are here to help people own their careers. We will continue to strive to be an inclusive workplace for blind and partially sighted people.”
The RNIB See Differently Awards will bring together a host of people across the UK and aims to shine a spotlight on the excellent work happening every day across the UK to support people with sight loss. They will recognise and reward individuals and organisations taking positive action to help break down barriers and make the world a better place for blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB CEO Matt Stringer said: “The RNIB See Differently Awards will celebrate those who dedicate their time, passion, and skills to help build an inclusive world for blind and partially sighted people. Congratulations to the shortlisted national finalists, you’re all fantastic with incredibly moving stories and we wish you the best of luck.”
The RNIB See Differently Awards will recognise exceptional individuals and teams across seven categories: Campaigner of the Year, Eye Care Professional of the Year, Best Content Creator of the Year, Team of the Year, Employer of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Design for Everyone Award.
The award winners will be announced at a ceremony which will take place at a hotel in Central London on Tuesday 21 May 2024.
