The next step on our Disability Confident journey

In August 2021, we were delighted to be recognised by the Department for Work and Pensions as a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer.

Over the past three years, that government scheme recognition has helped us to showcase the importance and value disabled people, and those with health conditions, bring to us here at Sigma Connected.

Just last month, following some really in-depth and detailed work to evidence our success, including a thorough independent assessment, I was proud to see us go one step further and achieve Level 3 Disability Confident Leader status. Not only does this take us up another notch in terms of attracting candidates with complex health needs, but it holds us to higher, tougher standards for the next three years, upon which point we will be re-assessed.

Our successful framework

Disabled employment is at an all-time high, and I’m delighted that we’re heading in the right direction, but we want to go further and give every disabled person, and people with health conditions such as autism or suffering with mental health challenges, the chance to succeed here at Sigma Connected. One example of our success and progress in this area is through our very own John Clark, who has experienced the benefits of our proactive approach to disabled employment first hand. John joined us as a remote-based advisor in September 2023, and is now helping and supporting hundreds of our clients’ customers every month.

John has given us a snapshot of his story. He said: “I live with Cerebral Palsy and the difficulties that can bring, but I can safely say that my role here at Sigma Connected is the best job I’ve ever had. My working environment is customised to me personally and if I have any needs with regards to my working environment, I feel I can ask and everything is sorted – especially things like making sure my desk, chair and any other specialist equipment at home is set up correctly.

“The boundaries Sigma Connected works within allows me to feel confident, but what I really find makes a difference is the pro-activeness across the business, from my line manager holding regular reviews with me, to knowing there’s a network there, wherever and whenever I need it. It definitely helped attract me to the company, knowing how seriously they took disability awareness and how transparent and flexible they were. Quite simply, nothing is too big of an ask and I’ve even spoken at one of our many awareness days to spread the message about Cerebral Palsy. I’m also part of our very own equality and diversity programme, One Me, One Sigma. Those are two amazing initiatives.”

That’s just a snapshot from John, but it helps to show how well our support for those with health conditions is going.

Taking our next steps

Being Level 3 accredited doesn’t mean we rest on our laurels, and as I said, we want to go further.

We’re already working closely with specialist and trusted partners who can supply key equipment such as desks and other office furniture, but it’s our bespoke support where I think we make a difference.

Whilst we have an effective People Support Assessment process in place, we still have successful candidates, and possibly people who have worked here for a long time, who don’t feel comfortable declaring a disability or an illness at the recruitment phase. It’s now up to us to make sure we prove our Level 3 status to them, making people feel comfortable to come forward, and help them realise they are joining, or part of, a caring and nurturing environment.

We are making those adjustments not just through our recruitment, but also our onboarding, induction, and every part of the employee lifecycle – explaining exactly what it means to be part of Sigma Connected, and how we value our partnerships with organisations such as Ambitious for Autism.

As I’ve said, a review every three years will keep us match-fit. However, along with John, I have committed to internal reviews every quarter to ensure we’re on track and auditing our progress. That also aligns closely with one of our company values, ‘Always Improving’, and helps to ensure the approach we take is also embedded across the business, including in our offices in Cape Town, South Africa.

Overall, it’s another proud milestone for us. But we can’t, and won’t, stop improving our offering for disabled people and those who need our support.

It’s one component of what makes Sigma Connected so special.