Accessible Employment: A Disability Confident Approach

At Stone, A Converge Company, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and accessible workplace for all employees, including those with disabilities.

By aligning with the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) Disability Confident criteria, we ensure that disabled individuals have the opportunity to thrive in their careers.

Getting the right people for our business

At Stone, A Converge Company, we’re motivated by core actions when creating an inclusive, accessible and diverse environment for staff, clients and customers.

Stone actively seeks to fill roles with disabled individuals, including jobs, apprenticeships, internships, and work experience positions. The recruitment process is fully inclusive and accessible, ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates.

Disabled applicants meeting the minimum criteria for a position are guaranteed an interview, and assessment methods are flexible to allow them to effectively showcase their skills.

We proactively make necessary adjustments to support disabled employees and encourage suppliers and partners to adopt Disability Confident practices. Employees receive training to foster an inclusive workplace culture.

At Stone, we offer work experience placements, apprenticeships and trials to disabled individuals alongside permanent and fixed-term employment.

Vacancies are advertised through organisations and media aimed at disabled people, and we engage with Jobcentre Plus, Work and Health Programme providers and local disabled people’s user-led organisations (DPULOs) for support.

Weaving a culture where everyone matters

We foster a culture where all employees feel valued and supported. The company assists employees in managing their disabilities or health conditions with necessary accommodations and ensures there are no barriers to the development and progression of disabled staff.

Managers are trained to support staff who are sick or absent, and feedback from disabled staff is used to improve workplace practices. The Disability Confident Employer self-assessment is reviewed regularly for continuous improvement.

Delivering our pledges everyday

Stone provides mentoring, coaching, buddying, and other support networks for staff. Disability awareness training is included in the induction process for all new employees.

Staff are guided to information and advice on mental health conditions, and occupational health services are provided if required. The company identifies and shares good practices in supporting disabled people and provides specific Disability Confident training for human resource managers.

And to demonstrate how the culture at Stone is truly inclusive, we’ve been talking to one of our valued employees about their experience at our business.

Experience at Stone

Kathrin, a Sales Support Admin, has worked at Stone since January 31, 2022, in various roles around the business, including in the IT Recycling, private sector and schools’ teams.

As an employee with autism, she needs “a lot of structure” to get through life on a day-to-day basis, and “space to recharge social and mental batteries” throughout the day.

Kathrin declared her disability during the application process, and said that “as a newly-diagnosed person, I found it was important – not only for me, but to give my employer the best chance possible to create a positive working environment.”

Stone stepped up. Kathrin explained that we were “accommodating, interviewing me by telephone to make the process easier, and minimising on-site training because I find it more challenging to work in an office with lots of noise and distraction.”

In her day-to-day life at Stone, Kathrin is comfortable checking in with her boss to ensure she can interpret written communication effectively, and “I find it really valuable that we’ve got a quiet room at the office – I can recharge at lunchtime.”

Accommodating colleagues and our quiet room are just two examples of our inclusive culture. “I find that at Stone I can let people know who I am. For the first time ever in a workplace I feel seen, respected and cared for, and I’m given independence to work autonomously.

“I’ve got a clear support network with my line manager and several colleagues, people are very understanding, and the whole process has been really lovely – we’ve been on a learning journey together.”

Confidently delivering for everyone

Our commitment to our status as a Disability Confident employer ensure an inclusive and supportive environment for our staff.

Indeed, as Kathrin says, “I’ve found Stone to be approachable, receptive, understanding and sensitive. It’s not always easy to be so forthcoming in the wider world, and Stone’s behaviour means I want to stay and succeed.”

By actively recruiting, supporting, and developing disabled staff, Stone sets a positive example for other employers. Kathrin's experience highlights the company's dedication to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

Stone thrives on the benefits of a diverse workforce, which brings inclusive input, a variety of perspectives, and fosters innovation and creative solutions.

We’re truly proud to have cultivated such a positive and inclusive workplace, and we’re committed to keeping Stone, A Converge Company, a space for everyone to succeed.